Merritt Academy or JCCNV

[Anonymous]

Hi. I am looking for a day care center for my 16-month-old son in Fairfax, around Vienna station.
Now Merritt Academy and Jewish Community Center in Northern Virginia (JCCNV) are options.

Can anyone tell me the difference of these two, or pros and cons of each school/center in terms of its care and activity? I have read the past logs but there was not much information. Some people say JCCNV is good, but there is no specific information about how or what they are good.

Merritt is closer to my house and station but expensive. JCCNV is much cheaper after 24 months old, but a bit too far. If JCC's care and activity is as good as or better than Merritt, another 15 mins commute might be better than paying another $500 per month??? By the way, religion is not a problem for our family.

Any infos/advices are highly appreciated.

Thank you!

[Anonymous]

I don't know anything about Merritt, but my younger DD is at JCCNV daycare and my older DD went there for preschool.

We obviously like it, but honestly I am considering moving to Cedar Lane Montessori next year (not this fall, but next fall) because it is closer. We went with JCCNV because we love the school and the program and had experience with it. But now that I am working full time, the convenience is a factor and I know many people who have been very happy at Cedar Lane.

If you have specific questions I would be happy to answer them.

Would he be in the toddler program or the 2 year old program?

[Anonymous]

This is OP.
I am glad to find your reply. Thank you!

If you don't mind, would you tell me why you like JCCNV? Also, what kind of activities (within daycare carriculum) are offered there? How about their care (ie. feeding, diapering, etc)?

We are planning to start Merrit or JCCNV this september. My son would start in the toddler class and is supposed to move to the 2 year old class later in the school year.

Thank you!

[Anonymous]

My DD started in the 2 year old class last year as a preschool student and then transitioned to all day care when I found a job. So I do not have specific experience with the toddler program, just the twos and up.

What do I like? Well I like the school as a whole. I feel it is well run and efficient (occasional lapses here and there, they are human). The curriculum is developmentally appropriate and playbased. They are NAEYC certified. The kids all seem to be having fun. They work well with children and parents when there is an issue. It is a large program, so if there is an issue with classroom/teacher fit, it can be adjusted. I have never had a concern when it comes to basic care like feeding and diapering (my 2 year old is still in diapers). My only "issues" have been minor things like lost lunch containers and little annoyances.

In the toddler program do they provide food or do you provide? You provide food in the 2 and up classes and FYI, all meals must be "vegetarian" (no meat, fish is OK).

In the 2 year old room daily activities.....at morning dropoff there is free play/outside play and then snack. Then they move to their regular classrooms for the preschool portion of the day. About half the kids are only there for preschool, from 9-1. They have a (small) circle time, outside/gym time, morning snack, then outside/gym time, a "major" activity like music or creative movement, then lunch and free play until preschool pick up time at 1. At 1 the daycare kids have naptime until 3 and then they have snack and then playtime. After age 3 they can participate in "after school" classes like yoga, science, cooking, swim lessons. In the summer they are getting lots of outdoor water play time on the playground.

As I sad, we have a lot of experience there because my older DD still goes there for camp in summer and my younger is there full time. I just wish they were a little closer to my house. Don't underestimate the time it will take you to get to the metro from the JCC in the morning. It could easily take 20-30 minutes.

[Anonymous]

Thank you so much for sharing you and your daughters' experience at JCC with me.

When I visited JCC, I loved JCC's clean and neat facility, and warm atmosphere. But, as you say, the distance from metro is a drawback indeed. I will examine both pros and cons and decide which one to pick.

Thank you again for the valuable information. I really appreciate it!

[Anonymous]

My son also attends the JCCNV 2 year old program and we've been very happy so far. He began in the toddler program and transitioned to the preschool this summer. While I don't know much about Meritt I feel that the JCC has a quality program and it's worth the extra money in the toddler program since the preschool program is quite reasonable. Good luck with your decision!