Getting desperate - full-time daycare in Kensington/SS/Bethesda

[Anonymous]

Hi all -

I've been researching and looking at daycare options for months for my 10 month old and 3 yo. I really need help with ideas. We are moving to Kensington/SS area (north of beltway) imminently and I have nothing lined up. We are currently with a daycare in Germantown that opens from 7:15-6:15. It is nothing special but suits our needs. What I really like about it is that it is a structured environment for my eldest and they teach her a lot, but at the same time the teachers for my younger are very nurturing. I work in downtown DC (near Chinatown), and DH works in Chevy Chase.

We need a daycare/preschool that is open, at a minimum, 7:30 - 6pm. 5:30 may be doable (but certainly not ideal) if it opens earlier.

I've already looked into the following:
Circle time is not open past 5:30pm and doesn't have openings until April 2018.
Karasik and Rock Creek Montessori is too far north/the opposite direction for both of us.
SSLC is closed a LOT during the year and doesn't take kids younger than 18 months
MMCA Kensington Forest Glen doesn't take kids younger than 2
Lily Pads is only open 8-6, parents have to provide all snacks/meals, doesn't appear to have curriculum/small space
Acorn Hill is only open 8-6
Buenos Amigos is Spanish immersion and closes at 5:30 without opening before 7:30
La Papillion closes at 5:30 without opening before 7:30
Children in the Shoe is cost-prohibitive ($2400 for youngest, $1958 for oldest)
The following I've seen really negative reviews: Friendship Children's Center, Child time Bethesda, Wonders, La Petite Academy,

This all sounds negative nancy, but honestly my expectations are NOT high. I just need somewhere that provides a nurturing environment, has some semblance of structure/teaching, and is open the requisite hours.

I've looked into nanny options but, when factoring in payroll taxes, it is much more expensive than daycare.

[Anonymous]

I'm a Karasik parent. If you're considering MCCA Kensington Forest Glen and SSLC, Karasik is likely equally close to you. Karasik is located at 10611 Tenbrook Drive in Silver Spring. It is run by the Arc of MoCo, which is headquartered on Nebel Street in Rockville, but Karasik is definitely not on Nebel St.

I don't think there are any infants or toddler spaces currently available at Karasik, but I think there are openings for 3-year-olds. I know two drop-offs aren't ideal, but there are licensed family day care providers in the vicinity of Karasik (including one on Gregory St at the corner of Tenbrook, practically next door to Karasik). I don't know anything about the quality or curriculum at the family homes, but you would get wait list priority for an opening at Karasik for your younger child if your older child is enrolled. If you go for that option, I hope your younger child would find a space eventually at Karasik.

Karasik is also really affordable for this area (and much, much more affordable than Children in the Shoe).

I'm sorry if I made an incorrect assumption about the convenience of Karasik, but I thought based on your post and the lack of clarity on the Arc's website that you might have been confused about its location.

[Anonymous]

You can't stagger your work hours with DH so one person drops off and the other picks up?

[Anonymous]

Kinderhaus has a location in Chevy Chase.

[Anonymous]

Maybe Bethesda country day school by the y? I think they had pretty extensive hours. Or maybe the YMCA ayrlawn? Those are both probably too far west for you, but might be worth a call. 7:30 is really early, unfortunately.

[Anonymous]

Another idea is to look to daycare near where you or he works. That way you need fewer house of coverage because kid will be with you for commute.

[Anonymous]

RSCC? May not be convenient enough and very expensive. But meets other requirements.

[Anonymous]

I've heard nothing but great things about Wonders--check them out. But, my guess is it's as much as Children in the Shoe (where our kids go, and which we love).

Even though your expectations don't sound high, the fact is that the places in those areas that will provide what you want during the hours you want them will be expensive. The Shoe totally fits the bill--but it's not cheap. Same with Wonders. Or Rock Spring. The Shoe at least would give a small discount on your older child's tuition while both are there.

[Anonymous]

OP: You are looking for a daycare that accepts both your infant and older child? What is your budget?

I would imagine after factoring in both daycare costs that it would be cheaper to just do a nanny for both?

[Anonymous]

There is very limited care in Kensington. You need to go toward Chevy Chase Circle or downtown with you. It will be very hard to get the infant into care with no notice. You may have to go to a home care provider.

[Anonymous]

Would you consider an in-home daycare provider? My kids (2 and 4) go to one and I love it, even though I am an administrator at a center.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've heard nothing but great things about Wonders--check them out. But, my guess is it's as much as Children in the Shoe (where our kids go, and which we love).

Even though your expectations don't sound high, the fact is that the places in those areas that will provide what you want during the hours you want them will be expensive. The Shoe totally fits the bill--but it's not cheap. Same with Wonders. Or Rock Spring. The Shoe at least would give a small discount on your older child's tuition while both are there.

These 3 are the best (but most expensive) in the area (rock spring same as RSCC mentioned above).

[Anonymous]

is staggering your work hours a possibility? 10 1/2 hours a day for an infant and a toddler to be in daycare sounds like a lot. And your post indicated that these hours are the mining that you need?! It sounds like a lot of places you have looked at do not make such a long day an option. Perhaps there is some reason for this.
Look, I don't mean to make you feel bad but you might have to make your work hours fit into daycare hours -or at least think about it.

[Anonymous]

Honestly I'd get a nanny for the moment and give yourself more time to sort this out.

[Anonymous]

There aren't others, so pick from these options. Or family daycare, but they often have slightly shorter hours.