Best pre-school / daycare in Ellicott City area?

[Anonymous]

We're moving to the Centennial school district area and looking for a good preschool / daycare for our daughter. We don't care if there is or isn't any religious affiliation. Our daughter won't be 2 until October, but we'll need arrangements starting in September. Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Our daughter has been going to Bet Yeladim on route 108 for 1.5 years, and we absolutely love it! They're Reggio-based and not a chain daycare, both of which appealed to us. Compared to the other daycare centers we visited (all in the same area), BY's teachers were on the older and more experienced side and everyone seemed genuinely invested in the child's well-being. Our experience with them over the last couple of years are consistent with our initial impressions. Two small negatives:
1. BY closes for many of the Jewish holidays, so you have to plan ahead and arrange a sitter. We typically ask a teacher in one of the adjoining rooms to babysit for us (as a teacher from the same room is not permitted to do this).
2. Their snacks are healthier than what we saw at one of the other centers, but still not great. Fruit bars, graham crackers, waffles, and other sugary/processed snacks abound. But you can send your own snacks if you feel strongly about it.

I think registration for 2016-2017 is open now, so you may want to get in touch with them quickly if you're interested.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our daughter has been going to Bet Yeladim on route 108 for 1.5 years, and we absolutely love it! They're Reggio-based and not a chain daycare, both of which appealed to us. Compared to the other daycare centers we visited (all in the same area), BY's teachers were on the older and more experienced side and everyone seemed genuinely invested in the child's well-being. Our experience with them over the last couple of years are consistent with our initial impressions. Two small negatives:
1. BY closes for many of the Jewish holidays, so you have to plan ahead and arrange a sitter. We typically ask a teacher in one of the adjoining rooms to babysit for us (as a teacher from the same room is not permitted to do this).
2. Their snacks are healthier than what we saw at one of the other centers, but still not great. Fruit bars, graham crackers, waffles, and other sugary/processed snacks abound. But you can send your own snacks if you feel strongly about it.

I think registration for 2016-2017 is open now, so you may want to get in touch with them quickly if you're interested.

Thanks, PP! BY is our first choice, I'm just worried we won't get in off the waitlist. Did your daughter start off in the infant and toddler class or did she start right away at the 2 year class? Our daughter will be 23 months in September.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our daughter has been going to Bet Yeladim on route 108 for 1.5 years, and we absolutely love it! They're Reggio-based and not a chain daycare, both of which appealed to us. Compared to the other daycare centers we visited (all in the same area), BY's teachers were on the older and more experienced side and everyone seemed genuinely invested in the child's well-being. Our experience with them over the last couple of years are consistent with our initial impressions. Two small negatives:
1. BY closes for many of the Jewish holidays, so you have to plan ahead and arrange a sitter. We typically ask a teacher in one of the adjoining rooms to babysit for us (as a teacher from the same room is not permitted to do this).
2. Their snacks are healthier than what we saw at one of the other centers, but still not great. Fruit bars, graham crackers, waffles, and other sugary/processed snacks abound. But you can send your own snacks if you feel strongly about it.

I think registration for 2016-2017 is open now, so you may want to get in touch with them quickly if you're interested.

Thanks, PP! BY is our first choice, I'm just worried we won't get in off the waitlist. Did your daughter start off in the infant and toddler class or did she start right away at the 2 year class? Our daughter will be 23 months in September.

Our daughter started in the infants program at about 7 months. Good luck! Btw, have you looked into Goddard?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our daughter has been going to Bet Yeladim on route 108 for 1.5 years, and we absolutely love it! They're Reggio-based and not a chain daycare, both of which appealed to us. Compared to the other daycare centers we visited (all in the same area), BY's teachers were on the older and more experienced side and everyone seemed genuinely invested in the child's well-being. Our experience with them over the last couple of years are consistent with our initial impressions. Two small negatives:
1. BY closes for many of the Jewish holidays, so you have to plan ahead and arrange a sitter. We typically ask a teacher in one of the adjoining rooms to babysit for us (as a teacher from the same room is not permitted to do this).
2. Their snacks are healthier than what we saw at one of the other centers, but still not great. Fruit bars, graham crackers, waffles, and other sugary/processed snacks abound. But you can send your own snacks if you feel strongly about it.

I think registration for 2016-2017 is open now, so you may want to get in touch with them quickly if you're interested.

Thanks, PP! BY is our first choice, I'm just worried we won't get in off the waitlist. Did your daughter start off in the infant and toddler class or did she start right away at the 2 year class? Our daughter will be 23 months in September.

Our daughter started in the infants program at about 7 months. Good luck! Btw, have you looked into Goddard?

No, I hadn't, but I will! Have you heard good things?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our daughter has been going to Bet Yeladim on route 108 for 1.5 years, and we absolutely love it! They're Reggio-based and not a chain daycare, both of which appealed to us. Compared to the other daycare centers we visited (all in the same area), BY's teachers were on the older and more experienced side and everyone seemed genuinely invested in the child's well-being. Our experience with them over the last couple of years are consistent with our initial impressions. Two small negatives:
1. BY closes for many of the Jewish holidays, so you have to plan ahead and arrange a sitter. We typically ask a teacher in one of the adjoining rooms to babysit for us (as a teacher from the same room is not permitted to do this).
2. Their snacks are healthier than what we saw at one of the other centers, but still not great. Fruit bars, graham crackers, waffles, and other sugary/processed snacks abound. But you can send your own snacks if you feel strongly about it.

I think registration for 2016-2017 is open now, so you may want to get in touch with them quickly if you're interested.

Thanks, PP! BY is our first choice, I'm just worried we won't get in off the waitlist. Did your daughter start off in the infant and toddler class or did she start right away at the 2 year class? Our daughter will be 23 months in September.

Our daughter started in the infants program at about 7 months. Good luck! Btw, have you looked into Goddard?

No, I hadn't, but I will! Have you heard good things?

That was our second pick when we were visiting daycares. They have a new building and location now, so that could be a plus.