suggestions for pre-schools/childcare in Silver Spring/Bethesda/Chevy Chase

[Anonymous]

I am looking for a pre-school/childcare situation for my daughter who will be 2 1/2 in the fall. I am looking at various places, and the price range is astonishing. We are contemplating sending her to a montessori school, but are also considering the YMCA and some of the Montgomery childcare programs. Does anyone have any recommendations for excellent but affordable daycares in our area?

Also, I'm curious about montessori and whether it is the right choice for us, so I'd love input on that as well.

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am looking for a pre-school/childcare situation for my daughter who will be 2 1/2 in the fall. I am looking at various places, and the price range is astonishing. We are contemplating sending her to a montessori school, but are also considering the YMCA and some of the Montgomery childcare programs. Does anyone have any recommendations for excellent but affordable daycares in our area?

Also, I'm curious about montessori and whether it is the right choice for us, so I'd love input on that as well.

Thanks!

I encourage you to check-out the new Easter Seals Child Development Center at Spring and 2nd Streets in DT SS. It's really lovely (warm, small class sizes, immaculately clean and well run, with a very highly trained staff). It's just started admitting kids ages 3-5, so there's likely space available for a 2 1/2 year old soon. It's a very different (more nurturing and creative) environment than most Montessori programs. FWIW, I don't think my kids would have thrived at 2 or 3 years old in a classroom with 30 kids doing primarily self-directed activities, but I know kids who have.

For a tour of Easter Seals, you should contact the director at:

Marion A. Entwisle
Child Development Center Director
Easter Seals Greater Washington-Baltimore Region
1420 Spring Street
Silver Spring, MD 20910
301-920-9742

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I've heard good things about Children in the Shoe and Friendship Heights Children's Center.

[nava_edelen]

Hi, I am founder of Chevy Chase Reggio, one of the first Reggio-Emilia based preschool/daycare programs in Chevy Chase or Bethesda. We have openings for the summer and fall for 2 and 3 year olds. CCR follows a wonderful method developed in Reggio-Emilia Italy which is well known in Europe and gaining popularity with educators and parents in the U.S. We have open houses on Wednesday May 13 and Saturday May 16. Please visit www.ChevyChaseReggio.com for more information.

[Anonymous]

We have been very pleased with Bethesda Country Day School. They have a preschool program from 9-3 and then aftercare (for an additional fee) until 6pm. It is located off of Old Georgetown Rd across from the YMCA.

[Anonymous]

We are happy with Temple Emanuel.

[Anonymous]

Little Feet Child Care has been a great fit for us. 301-495-3335.