Mana Bilingual Child Development Center

[Anonymous]

Does anyone have recent feedback about Mana Bilingual Child Development Center located on Colorado Ave NW?

[Anonymous]

Our son, 21 months, has been there since he was 3 months old. We are moving him to a new daycare on Monday that is closer to home and also bigger and better run (but of course, more expensive). That said, he has gotten very good care during his time at Mana. The teachers are very loving and kind and solicitous towards the kids, although there is a certain amount of turnover. The center appears to be reasonably well run and they provide meals from toddlers on up and are generally responsive and helpful. Some challenges include the fact that the staff speak very little English, the inconsistent administrative procedures (or lack thereof), the street parking challenges for drop off and pick up, and the traffic if you have to drive there (worse in the morning). There is a wonderfully diverse mix of children there (I believe they accept child care vouchers) which we will miss. I am sad to leave but I do think our new place will provide a better environment for our son overall. But Mana offers a good option for the price given how expensive child care can be, if you can accept the drawbacks.

[Anonymous]

thank you so much for the feedback! we started and are a bit ambivalent. the director is great, but some of the staff are not very engaging. i'm sure the language barrier plays a role, but its hard when there is not much communication regarding your child's adjustment or feedback from the day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our son, 21 months, has been there since he was 3 months old. We are moving him to a new daycare on Monday that is closer to home and also bigger and better run (but of course, more expensive). That said, he has gotten very good care during his time at Mana. The teachers are very loving and kind and solicitous towards the kids, although there is a certain amount of turnover. The center appears to be reasonably well run and they provide meals from toddlers on up and are generally responsive and helpful. Some challenges include the fact that the staff speak very little English, the inconsistent administrative procedures (or lack thereof), the street parking challenges for drop off and pick up, and the traffic if you have to drive there (worse in the morning). There is a wonderfully diverse mix of children there (I believe they accept child care vouchers) which we will miss. I am sad to leave but I do think our new place will provide a better environment for our son overall. But Mana offers a good option for the price given how expensive child care can be, if you can accept the drawbacks.

we know about that place;it would be convenient to send our kids there. but we cant bc the staff is not engaging the kids.

[Anonymous]

I send my child there and I feel that it is a wonderful option. He is loved, does engaging activities during the day, and English speaking administrators are always available and responsive. I do not speak Spanish and wish I did, but the teachers are still very kind and gracious.

[Anonymous]

My son has been at the Colorado Ave location since he was 10 months and he is now 2.5. There are good and bad things about any childcare facility that isn't your own, so I always evaluate according to my child. If he is safe and loved, as the adult, I can deal with the admin stuff and parking and drop off stuff, it's DC ( a major city with congestion, especially during morning hours and uber/lyft cars out and about). Overall - you get what you pay for. There are teachers in each classroom whose English is better than others - I always identify who that is and make them my go to when the directors aren't around. I will add that having to interact with personnel whose English isnt "perfect" has increased my ability to communicate in Spanish so its a win/win - Our child speaks/understands Spanish and so do we.

[Anonymous]

My friend pulled her son from there. She felt like there were communication issues and some feeding issues early on.

[Anonymous]

Anybody else with comments about Mana? We are looking for a daycare for our 1 y.o. Our priorities are safety, good care and some balanced activities (indoor-outdoor time) some readings.
Thanks!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anybody else with comments about Mana? We are looking for a daycare for our 1 y.o. Our priorities are safety, good care and some balanced activities (indoor-outdoor time) some readings.
Thanks!!

Bump re 8th st location