First Baptist Church (Dupont Circle) - recent experiences?

[Anonymous]

I also had a bad experience there with my infant in 2015. I made the decision to pull him out after one month -- in fact, I quit my job to stay home with him in part because I wasn't comfortable with his care.

My baby was a difficult infant who cried all the time, but I never felt he was getting loving touch and warmth from the care providers in his room. They seemed disinterested and unengaged, and unwilling to give me any details about his day (for example, he often would go up to 10 days without pooping so I was trying to keep tabs on whether he had gone yet or not -- they never could tell me). They fed my 4-month-old on a strict timed schedule instead of following his cues, and complained that I wasn't providing enough breastmilk. He was never being held when I got there to pick him up. And not because they were holding other babies -- too frequently, all the babies were sitting in bouncers while the care provider was sitting nearby, not holding anyone.

For context, later on I put my second infant son in an in-home daycare in Maryland and it was like night and day. She paid attention to his sleep cues. She received him warmly and held him regularly. She made a detailed report for each day on what he ate, diapering, nap times, etc. I was/am 100% more comfortable there than I had been at First Baptist, and not just because I was a more comfortable second-time mom.

I wish I had had the great experience with First Baptist that was described on this forum, but I definitely did not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Current family. We've been very happy there. I had the same experience re: no one calling me back, and then went in person and was able to speak to the director and we got a spot when it was available. Sadly, we learned yesterday that the Church has decided it's time to tear down the building (upkeep on the old building is very expensive) so the daycare is closing as of the end of June 2020 (i.e. 14 months from now). It's really sad!

I imagine they would still take new kids in that timeframe, with acknowledgement that it's only a short-term option.

This is sad news. FBCCDC has been a quality and affordable daycare option in center city for many decades

[Anonymous]

I agree this is sad. We had a great experience as well and have nothing but good memories of our DC’s time there.

[Anonymous]

Current family now. We are so sad! We are losing a great daycare for our kids and a great community for our family.

[Anonymous]

These are concerning!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:These are concerning!

?

[Anonymous]

Current family too at the CDC - it's a real shame that the CDC is closing. We absolutely love the center and adore all the teachers. Our son has been there since he was an infant and can't say enough great things about it!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Current family. We've been very happy there. I had the same experience re: no one calling me back, and then went in person and was able to speak to the director and we got a spot when it was available. Sadly, we learned yesterday that the Church has decided it's time to tear down the building (upkeep on the old building is very expensive) so the daycare is closing as of the end of June 2020 (i.e. 14 months from now). It's really sad!

I imagine they would still take new kids in that timeframe, with acknowledgment that it's only a short-term option.

I've had the same experience - other than confirming they got our application in Spring for 2018, I never received any response to my numerous emails and phone calls between Fall 2018 and Spring 2019. Sorry but I find that unacceptable for a place of business that charges an application fee to literally put a piece of paper in a drawer, which is all they did. I received immediate responses from other daycares, even if all they could tell me was "sorry we can't confirm a spot right now, but you're still on the list." If you're going to take my money, you need to call me back. I would caution anyone against actually submitting an application fee unless they can confirm they will have a spot for you between now and whenever they're closing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a child in the closed 1-year old room. There are two one year old rooms and one is certainly better than the other (teacher quality, engagement, learning structure, etc). The lesser of the two one year old rooms is the room that has the majority of the parents leaving the Center and finding new care. As far as I know, all of the parents in the preferred one year old room are returning (and eagerly waiting for the room to reopen!).

What makes the distinction? What determines if a child goes in one room or the other? Can you request one? How do you know yours is the better one? Do the parents of the other know theirs is looked down upon?