Arlington Pre-schools: Recommendations

[Anonymous]

I am looking to enroll my 3yo son into a school this coming Spring and I feel like I have toured every school around but havent found one that I absolutely love. I would love to hear from parents in the Arlington area and hear about recommendations on schools in the area. I have toured the larger centers (Merit/Ballston Center etc.) and the smaller schools as well (CIS, Fairfax) but would like to hear from parents.
thanks in advance.

[Anonymous]

Have you tried using the search function? There are so many threads on Arlington preschools. I think you'll find all the info you are looking for just by searching!

[Anonymous]

Yes-thank you. A lot of the feedback is a bit outdated. Was hoping for something more current.

[Anonymous]

What are you looking for? What's his care situation now?

[Anonymous]

The preschool school year starts in the fall like the regular school year. You would be touring and applying in January/February for the coming September.

[Anonymous]

Sorry I guess I should have specified. I am looking for a full time school program. I guess it can be considered "day-care" but most programs refer to 3-5 year range as pre-school. My son is currently home with a nanny. However, as stated above-I am looking for advise on schools that people have loved in the Arlington/Alexandria area. We are in S. Arlington (Walter Reed/S. Glebe) but that isnt tying us to one particular location for the school search.

thanks

[Anonymous]

- if OP just said daycare she would be getting more limited responses. There are many full Day preschools (and that is what they call themselves) that only start at age 2.5 or 3. To me, day care implies the center also cares for younger kids.

OP
As a parent that over the years has used a center, a nanny, and now preschool, I would really encourage you to narrow your search to options that are convenient to home and/or work. Adding significant commuting time to your child's day and yours when you don't have to is hard. When we started this search we were considering all options but when you really start thinking about the flow of the fay, adding in a drive of 20 min out of your way each way adds up quickly.

We found a great preschool just a few minutes from our house and I love that I can do pickup and be in our house 10 min later. And so does my child. After a full day at school the time at home to relax and play in their space is important.

I frankly also found making a list of all the places I heard about and their hours was helpful. The hours eliminated a lot of choices.

[Anonymous]

The MONA preschool fair is on October 23 this year. It's open to the public - you don't have to be a member.

[Anonymous]

If you are used to having a nanny, I would let location limit your choices somewhat. The drop-off and pick-commute can take an hour or more of your day for a school that is even 10 min away if you work from home. Look at the parking situation too. We just left BH Rosslyn and I swear I save 10 min a day not dealing with the parking garage and the world's slowest elevator.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you are used to having a nanny, I would let location limit your choices somewhat. The drop-off and pick-commute can take an hour or more of your day for a school that is even 10 min away if you work from home. Look at the parking situation too. We just left BH Rosslyn and I swear I save 10 min a day not dealing with the parking garage and the world's slowest elevator.

I say "if you work from home" because for me it means driving to schools and back twice a day. Even if you drive to school and then to work, it makes sense to pick a daycare that is on your way and not the opposite direction of your work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sorry I guess I should have specified. I am looking for a full time school program. I guess it can be considered "day-care" but most programs refer to 3-5 year range as pre-school. My son is currently home with a nanny. However, as stated above-I am looking for advise on schools that people have loved in the Arlington/Alexandria area. We are in S. Arlington (Walter Reed/S. Glebe) but that isnt tying us to one particular location for the school search.

thanks

No one really loves any of them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The MONA preschool fair is on October 23 this year. It's open to the public - you don't have to be a member.

MONA still exists?

[Anonymous]

I am not sure if you'd consider Arlington's Montessori program through their public schools. (It's often got a waitlist, and I think you may need to apply February to get a spot in September, but it may be worth looking into.) I did it for my children starting at age 3, and have been very impressed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am not sure if you'd consider Arlington's Montessori program through their public schools. (It's often got a waitlist, and I think you may need to apply February to get a spot in September, but it may be worth looking into.) I did it for my children starting at age 3, and have been very impressed.

I have yet to see a Montessori that goes full day. Most are 9-3. If you work, those hours aren't doable and then you are cobbling together care for the other hours.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
- if OP just said daycare she would be getting more limited responses. There are many full Day preschools (and that is what they call themselves) that only start at age 2.5 or 3. To me, day care implies the center also cares for younger kids.

OP
As a parent that over the years has used a center, a nanny, and now preschool, I would really encourage you to narrow your search to options that are convenient to home and/or work. Adding significant commuting time to your child's day and yours when you don't have to is hard. When we started this search we were considering all options but when you really start thinking about the flow of the fay, adding in a drive of 20 min out of your way each way adds up quickly.

We found a great preschool just a few minutes from our house and I love that I can do pickup and be in our house 10 min later. And so does my child. After a full day at school the time at home to relax and play in their space is important.

I frankly also found making a list of all the places I heard about and their hours was helpful. The hours eliminated a lot of choices.

This. Find the list of places whose hours and location work well for you. Then go tour them.

We are at Ballston Children's Center and have had a great experience so far. We just started a few months ago though. The do a rolling admission, so you can apply anytime throughout the year and they'll let you know when they have open spots. I also liked CIS, which is much smaller. They had a waitlist and our start date wasn't that flexible so we couldn't just wait and see if we got in since we needed a spot.