Infant Care in SW DC

[Anonymous]

I'm expecting my first child in January 2020, and based on what I've read I'm starting to look around for infant care ASAP in hopes that if I get on a couple waitlists super early, I'll be able to get at least one good spot. That being said, I was wondering if anyone had experience with any of the daycares in the area? It seems that some people don't like the DOE provider (Bright Horizons), and have had bad experiences with the Children's Place at HUD, but I haven't seen any reviews or recommendations in the past few years. The biggest thing I want is somewhere safe and healthy for my kid -- has anyone had recent experiences with the infant care anywhere in the area recently?

The accredited facilities seem to be the federal-type places:
- Children's Place at HUD (YMCA)
- FAA/DOT Child Development Center
- Department of Energy Child Development Center
- HHS/ED Children's Center
- Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center
- USDA Child Development Center

There are also several non-accredited facilities that I either pass regularly or found online:
- Fabulous Kids Montessori School
- Growth Spurts Child Development Center at Bethel
- Goddard School (new across the street from the Wharf -- obviously no one has been there since they're still building it, but what do we think of Goddard Schools in general?)

I'm not really attached to anything super fancy, but not having any friends with little kids in area, I'm not sure how to find (or vet if I can find) home-based care. Any recommendations for that either? Or the above formal care centers?

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

My son was in the infant room last year at USDA and we liked it. I'd definitely waitlist now (the fee is $35 or something small) and take a tour. We liked his infant room teachers, the shaded, outdoor playground and how responsive the center director was. The price is around $1500 for federal employees which was definitely on the cheaper end of downtown daycares. Things we didn't like were the pick up/drop off parking lot (it's in a federal building so you need your badge and the security guards search your car when you enter the parking lot) and that they use paper daily sheets instead of an app. If you drive, pick up/drop off can take some time if there are a bunch of other parents there. Overall we had a positive experience in the infant room and only left because my husband was put on orders in another state.

Other daycares to consider are the Library of Congress/House/GAO ones. I know the waitlists are crazy, but depending on where you work it may be worth touring.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the reply! I am starting to do tours next week (starting with the one run by my employer which DOES prioritize contractors too, yay!) but thank you very much for your feedback; the personal review definitely bumps USDA up my list. I'll also look into Library of Congress/House/GAO.

[Anonymous]

Help

I'm supposed to use YMCA at The HHSED Children’s Center in a couple weeks for 2 days as a drop in, but I can't really find any reviews and I can't stop in and check them out because I live out of state. Any info or thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

[Anonymous]

My DC was at the DOE Bright Horizons this past year and loved it! Highly recommend. There is a new director and assistant director and the teachers were lovely and experienced.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Help

I'm supposed to use YMCA at The HHSED Children’s Center in a couple weeks for 2 days as a drop in, but I can't really find any reviews and I can't stop in and check them out because I live out of state. Any info or thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

DOE Bright Horizons does drop-in care and I've used them several times for this purpose. I'd call them to find out availability. No experience with HHS but have heard good things through the grapevine.