Agudas Achim Preschool

[all2010]

Does anyone have any feedback about Agudas Achim Preschool in Alexandria?

[Anonymous]

My neighbor had her daughter there for many years and has wonderful things to say! We are considering it for our little one.

[Anonymous]

Horrible preschool. Director is absolutely unqualified and non-accommodating. Most teachers are unqualified to work with children and have horrible communication skills. There are a few who are good, but really only a few. Teachers are not CPR certified and Director refused to ask them to get certification. Many many many days off. All Jewish holidays (at least 2 days off). 2 weeks off for Passover, etc. All federal holidays OFF (major and minor holidays). Teacher in service days are scheduled during the week, so it add to the days off. Ask for a schedule if you want to look at this school. Closes at 4 PM every Friday. Safety is there in theory, but realistically anyone can walk into the facility at any time and take a child. Nobody would notice for a while. All doors are open. There is a door into the preschool (which is supposed to be locked). Sometimes it is locked sometimes it isn't. If someone wants to take a child, you can certainly wait 30 minutes until the doors open. HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE. People who live in the neighborhood grin and bare the problems because the location is so convenient. Otherwise, many complaints. Preschool Committee doesn't care. Neither does anyone else in administration.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Horrible preschool. Director is absolutely unqualified and non-accommodating. Most teachers are unqualified to work with children and have horrible communication skills. There are a few who are good, but really only a few. Teachers are not CPR certified and Director refused to ask them to get certification. Many many many days off. All Jewish holidays (at least 2 days off). 2 weeks off for Passover, etc. All federal holidays OFF (major and minor holidays). Teacher in service days are scheduled during the week, so it add to the days off. Ask for a schedule if you want to look at this school. Closes at 4 PM every Friday. Safety is there in theory, but realistically anyone can walk into the facility at any time and take a child. Nobody would notice for a while. All doors are open. There is a door into the preschool (which is supposed to be locked). Sometimes it is locked sometimes it isn't. If someone wants to take a child, you can certainly wait 30 minutes until the doors open. HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE. People who live in the neighborhood grin and bare the problems because the location is so convenient. Otherwise, many complaints. Preschool Committee doesn't care. Neither does anyone else in administration.

If you are looking at a Jewish preschool, can you really complain that they have days off for all the Jewish holidays and they close early for the Sabbath? Observant Jews are prohibited from working/running a buisness on holidays and the Sabbath. I realize you may have other complaints, but that would be like me objecting to a Catholic school being off for Christmas.

[Anonymous]

We are planning on sending dc there next year. I toured a few schools. I specialize in working w/ 1-5 year olds, so I know a lot about child development and have visited many preschools for work. The new director seemed the best out of the schools we visited. Her philosophy seemed developmentally sound.
I work w/ kids at a DC preschool now that is great -- I've learned you can't please everyone no matter what you do. DC area parents tend to be difficult.
I may have a different opinion next year, but from my visits to agudas, they seemed warm and developmentally appropriate.

[Anonymous]

Don't they have to be CPR trained to teach in a preschool?

[Anonymous]

Concerns! We celebrate the Jewish holidays, so we completely understand that component and respect it. We were concerned about other issues. Prior to closing for all holidays they would shut down at 1pm with very little warning. They also shut down for Shabbat at 4pm. Sundown isn't until somewhat later and I realize teachers/etc... need to get home but closing by 4:30/5:00pm seems a great deal more reasonable.

I work full time and the full time component of this school is troubling. We were definitely in the minority. I usually pick up my son between 4:30/5:00pm and there are three children there often with little supervison or engagement. I realize many folks consider preschool supervised daycare, but I do not. There doesn't seem to be a philosophy at all or general curriculum. I was also concerned about lack of training of the teachers and the standards. I think this led to handling things poorly by the teachers. The Director was also difficult and not responsive to issues. It would take her a month to respond to a serious issue.

Great things about Agudas-Rabbi is wonderful and engaged with the kids, positive Jewish Education, some lovely teachers, nice playground and some thoughtful classes ie. science lab, cooking, hebrew, spanish-Great components.

[Anonymous]

I think it's hard to find all day preschool in this area b/c the actually curricular times are in the mornings at most of them, and there's more of a daycare component in the afternoons if they have an afternoon program. If preschool is important to you, have you considered continuing to do a morning program and then having a nanny pick up after school to do afternoon care? Also, some home daycares will pick up from nearby preschools and that's a cheaper option.

[Anonymous]

I recently saw the school and had a couple concerns- one was that they seem to only get a half hour outside for play, and they rest inside- doesn't seem like much for active toddlers. Also, they received a VA violation for losing a child that was later found wandering around on the sidewalk outside- very concerning.

[Anonymous]

14:21, if you're still on, what pre-school in DC do you work at? I'm considering options for my DD in DC

[Anonymous]

Me too - I am interested in the pre-school you work at.

[Anonymous]

I would also be interested in knowing where the PP who said they worked at great daycare in DC was working at that time. Please contact me offline [e-mail]