DCJCC - any recent opinions?

[Anonymous]

Hi, just got a notice that my son is admitted to the 2yo class for DC JCC this fall. Any recent opinions? I've heard criticism of high teacher turnover, is that true? He has been with a home daycare since he was 4 months (is 26 months now) and has had the same caregivers the whole time. I am not sure if that is typical, or we just got lucky? We are also on the list at Bambini but they don't do admissions until March, so hard to know if we should take the spot at JCC or hold out for Bambini? But then we might end up with nothing.... Any thoughts?

[Anonymous]

Bambini is the Holy Grail of DC daycare centers, and the waitlist is long. Unless you are near the top of the waitlist and you've been told there's a specific slot that you are next in line for, I wouldn't give up a sure thing. You should reach out to Bambini and find out if that March timeframe you mention applies to you in particular, given your position on the waitlist.

[Anonymous]

Yeah I'm super confused by this post. Bambini does rolling admissions based on availability and their long waitlist (at least at the Mt Vernon location, not sure about Federal Triangle, there's also a new center opening up at 20th and M sometime this year, but as far as I know, no specific timeline has been given)- it is also a daycare not a preschool. Sure, it's Spanish immersion and they start a "preschool curriculum" at age 3, but as far as I know people don't choose to go there as a preschool in the traditional sense. They have their kids there for daycare since infancy and keep them there for preK years or move them elsewhere.

Point is, don't think this is an apples to apples comparison. Do you want Spanish language, but may be more "daycare feel" than preK? Or slightly-Jewish curriculum but sort of more traditional preK (although I'm sure people will argue because it has all day option is "NOT A PRE-K")?