Bethesda country day school-Looking for feedback PLEASE!

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We visited the school during its open house last weekend. First impression of the facility and staff was great. We would love to send our child to the two's program in the fall 2010. We are aware of past problems the school had prior to mid 2006 and realize that some of this "negative" reputation may still be out there. We discussed this with the Principal and she was very honest about this matter.

We are looking for feedback from people whose children currently attend this school or have attended any time AFTER mid 2006 (since the major changes were made). We would appreciate feedback on the teachers, two's program, communication with staff, school events, discipline method, how long can they wait for a child to finally be potty trained, preparation for kindergarten, etc etc.

Thank you SO much in advance. We realize that it takes precious time away to answer these questions, but again we would truly apprecite it.

P.S. I have checked previous posts on this school but most of the feedback was pretty general.

[Anonymous]

I sent my two year old to summer school there. Found the staff warm and friendly but was dismayed when I saw the grubby stuffed toys. They looked like they hadn't been washed in years. I'm very uncomfortable with these things. I pulled my daughter out after 4 days.

[Anonymous]

I'd be curious to know if you toured other preschools? What did you think of those

[Anonymous]

(Im the original poster)

Thanks. We toured Georgetown Hill Early school and were NOT thrilled with the teachers. They just seemed a bit "cold" towards the kids. We also toured Lone Oak Montessori (Democracy Blvd campus) and it has been so far our least favorite place. We didnt like the facility and although we really like the Montessori philosophy, we didnt like what we saw in this particular classroom (I know that there are variations within the philosophy). I swear, the kids didnt not seem happy and cheery as they did at other pre-schools we visited. They seemed a bit "restricted" IMO. That is all we have toured so far... We feel we dont have too many choices... We dont want a Co-op and other Montessoris that take 2 year olds (like Manor) are way above out budget..

[Anonymous]

My daughter attends BCDS and we have been very happy with our decision to send her there. I really like the structured curriculumn there and we have seen so much progress over the last year and a half that she has been there. Although it is a large school, the staff is very warm and it always surprises me that when we walk through the doors everyone knows her name. In speaking to the teachers it is obvious that they have a high retention rate there....if the teachers are happy then your kids are goign to be happy. It makes me feel like we have chosen the right environment for her. Her classroom is always clean and well kept although I do admit at the end of the day it is a bit of a disaster but that says to me that the children had an active fun filled day. I also like that there is a play room there for rainy day recess.

Things I do not like are the parking situation. The playground equipment is nice but I wish the actual grounds were better kept.

[Anonymous]

OK - so, my kid did a summer at BCDS (in 2007), a couple years at Children in the Shoe, and is now at Rock Spring Children's Center. I have liked all three and have moved around for various reasons. They are all in the same general ballpark as far as full-day tuition is concerned. That said, BCDS, at least their summer program seemed a little scattered. The playground equipment was not as nice or well-kept. I liked the director, but the teachers did not seem as happy to be there as at the other two schools. Also, I did not like the drop off in the big room - that was a bit intimidating for a the little ones. All in all, the kiddo seemed to like it ok, it just didn't give me the warm and fuzzy feeling that the other two places have.

[Anonymous]

We toured Bethesda County Day and felt as though it seemed fake- do the kids really produce the art work on the walls- I know 3rd graders who coun'dm't do that. We are now at Georgetwon Hill. We like the samll setting, teachers are kind and take time to get to know my kids

[Anonymous]

I toured BCDS but it wasn't right for my situation. That said, I've known someone to go there post 2006 and was happy with her child being there. Like the OP, I also toured Lone Oak Montessori but again I just had a gut feeling it wasn't for us. My DH was there also on the tours and he felt just as strongly. I never visited Georgetown Hill. I've been very happy at Rock Spring Children's Center and equally as important my DH has liked that school the best of all the ones we have toured. We also have experiences with other preschools due to various reasons with my oldest child and like other working parents I have made choices that had more to do with good enough and convenience rather than a strong attachment to the school.

Not sure OP if you have made your decision yet but there are lots of preschools in the area (as you know). If you haven't checked on Rock Spring Children Center I would encourage you to go on one of the tours. Also, I have also known families that have gone to the YMCA-Arylawn (which is close to BCDS) and have been okay with it.

Good luck

[Anonymous]

Hi, BCDS has been fabulous for our son. He started in the "older 2's class" with a birthday in late November. It was a great class for this age group. The classroom has a bathroom in it, and the teacher had a great routine for potty time/hand washing to aide w/ potty training. The teacher had a great disciplinary policy where kids were taught to say "no thank you" when another child did something that upset them (grabbed a toy, pushed etc.). The teacher also had an "inclusive blue chair" where students sat with the rest of the class when they were being disciplined (it was a sort of "time out" without segregating the child from the class). I loved the English/Spanish style of teaching. When my child was in the two year old class, he talked about the weather, the days of the week, letters, numbers, and holidays. In the 3 year old class, my son could count to to twenty in english and spanish, write all the letters and spell and write his name. He started to really enjoy art and loved to play soccer on Wednesday afternoons. He just finished pre K II this past year. He can site read, write words via phonics, write his numbers up to 100, and loves art. The kids got computer access, and music and library time. My son took basketball and piano lessons in the afternoons. They also have yoga, art, ballet/dance, jump bunch, karate, soccer, etc. This school is fabulous. The teachers are great and are usually 2 or 3 per classroom. Lunch and snacks are included in tuition. They have a morning drop off because parking is a bit of a problem. They have a.m. and p.m care if you need it before 8:30 am and after 3pm. All the teachers know my kids name. My son started in 2007, therefore I cannot comment on issues before. I was aware there were some, but was delighted when I toured the school. The assistand principal Ms. Lil and principal Ms. Judy are wonderful. I did tour YMCA at Cedar Ave in Bethesda and other preschools. I was so happy with BCDS and plan to send my two year old daughter there this fall..................so, maybe if you choose to send your child to BCDS our kids will be classmates. Goodluck and you won't be disappointed w/ BCDS. They really get your child ready for kindergarten.

[Anonymous]

My kids are in camp there this summer. We love it! Teachers are warm and friendly. My kids seem to be learning a lot. Facilities are pleasant. The AM drop off is so convenient. We have two close friends whose kids attend during the school year and they are also very happy. You can't go wrong with this choice.

[Anonymous]

Just my two cents worth.....
I sat in the pre-K class for about 40 minutes one AM in May 2010 before my child was scheduled to begin for the summer. The "lesson" consisted of the teacher telling the kids what to do (copying numbers 1-50 off a white board into a notebook). I walked in at the tail end of the lesson- so I thought. The kids went back to their chairs and began "copying". Some kids said they didn't know what to do or the teacher corrected them telling them they were doing it wrong. Seemed appropriate since as far as I knew the teacher spent 2 minutes telling them what to do. About 10-15 minutes later one of the kids showed me his notebook and he had PAGES filled with copied letters and numbers. Seriously, it must have been 40 pages worth. We lost our deposit, but hey I am not paying that kind of money to have my c4.5 year old copy letters and numbers off a board. I sat until the last kid was done and it was close to 40 minutes.

Oh, PS.All the kids who finished earlier were asking the teacher what they could do when they were done so it seems as if there was no classroom routine on top of the horrible "lesson"!
Good luck in your search

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Just my two cents worth.....
I sat in the pre-K class for about 40 minutes one AM in May 2010 before my child was scheduled to begin for the summer. The "lesson" consisted of the teacher telling the kids what to do (copying numbers 1-50 off a white board into a notebook). I walked in at the tail end of the lesson- so I thought. The kids went back to their chairs and began "copying". Some kids said they didn't know what to do or the teacher corrected them telling them they were doing it wrong. Seemed appropriate since as far as I knew the teacher spent 2 minutes telling them what to do. About 10-15 minutes later one of the kids showed me his notebook and he had PAGES filled with copied letters and numbers. Seriously, it must have been 40 pages worth. We lost our deposit, but hey I am not paying that kind of money to have my c4.5 year old copy letters and numbers off a board. I sat until the last kid was done and it was close to 40 minutes.

Oh, PS.All the kids who finished earlier were asking the teacher what they could do when they were done so it seems as if there was no classroom routine on top of the horrible "lesson"!
Good luck in your search

I know this is a old thread but...eeeek. Talk about a horrible "lesson"

Most schools standards have PreK aged kids learning numbers/quantity 1-20 and that is high enough for that age group. Some four and five year olds just aren't developmentally ready for higher numbers. Plus, what happened to creative teaching/learning and a hands on approach? Have fun at school versus learning to hate it before 1st grade? There's something called developmentally appropriate which it sounds like this teacher needs to learn.

Just curious, if you happen to stumble across this. Where did you end up sending your child?

[Anonymous]

My daughter is currently enrolled at BCDS and loves it. I agree with everything that 16:03 says. The entire staff is wonderful and it's a very friendly environment. She's learned a great deal and is thriving in this environment.

[Anonymous]

My DD has been there for 3 weeks in the beginning two's group. She loves it so far and the teachers have been great with communication. They seem to do a lot of great little activities and they get outdoor time everyday as well. So far so good!

[Anonymous]

Our son went there as a 3 and 4 years old. We really loved the school. He is now at high school (Blair). Our daughter went there during the somewhat problematic years (also as a 3 and 4 years old). The experience was still very positive for her. She is now at Wyngate. A few months ago our younger son started going there as a 2 years old. We are happy with the school.

We do not seek specific rigorous academic programs for our kids when they are 2yo or 3yo. There is enough time for that in the later years, we feel. What we are after is a loving environment that develops mainly social aspects. All our kids loved their various teachers there over the years.

At the 4yo level, we felt the academic program at BCDS was quite challenging (with the first two kids).