Discovery Time Learning Center - Hume Ave Location

[Raqwoj]

Hi, Mamas!

I would love to hear your (honest) thoughts on Discovery Time (on Hume Avenue). We just got an enrollment offer for our 9-month-old and need to make a decision fast! Eeep! Baby would be coming from a nanny-share that's ending this spring.

Feel free to PM me (raqwoj [at] gmail) if you’d prefer. Thank you so very much for any insight you can share, and hope everyone has a lovely day!

Raquel

[Anonymous]

We've been at the new location since it opened last year. We started out in the infant program but are now in toddlers and absolutely love it. The caregivers are all very caring and attentive and even though we are no longer in the infant classroom, the class lead still makes time to check in on my little guy from time to time and has stayed up to date on his development. The one drawback is providing diapers and wipes as I believe they are included at some of the larger downtown daycares but it hasn't been that big of a deal. Overall, we are very satisfied with the quality of care.

[Mamadee21]

Hi Raqwoj!
Would you please be so kind to share with me your experience at Discovery Time at Hume Ave?
I am interested in their toddler program and they are asking me to make a decision soon!
Thanks so much!

[Anonymous]

No the OP, but I had my DD at Discovery Time on Hume until recently, and we loved it. The caregivers are so caring and attentive, and my daughter was so excited to go to "school" in both the infants and "mobile infants" (younger toddler) rooms. We moved out of the area, otherwise she would still be there.

[Anonymous]

My toddler is there and has been there over a year.

Best parts: the teachers! Such caring staff and you can really see it in their faces. We particularly love Ms. Mya and Ms. Denise but every teacher we've had there has been great. Parent's Night Out is amazing (once a month weekend evening hours for $30 fee). Child has blossomed under their care, verbally/developmentally and motor-skills wise, and is disappointed on weekends when it's not a "school day." Tuition is high like everywhere else, but reasonable for this area.

Bottom line: We love it overall but are looking at moving daycares if they don't change their COVID policies soon. 10 day quarantine plus PCR tests to return for any cases in a class, siblings affected every time too. This is contrary to Alexandria Health Dept and CDC recommendations. We are all fully up to date on vaccines including the toddler, btw -- just can't keep missing work, stressing ourselves out or paying for backup sitters.

Other, MUCH more minor drawbacks: still only open until 5:30 pm, which is tight timing when DH and I are both at the office. Sometimes a bit disorganized. Teacher turnover is not super high but higher than we'd like. No parent listserv that we can see, so it's hard to coordinate among parents (playdates, etc.) without getting to know each one individually.

[Anonymous]

Thank you so much for all the feedback!
Indeed the quarantine policy is too much!
Question please: I understand they don’t have a playground at Hume, i am wondering where do they take the kids for outdoor time?
Again, thank you so much! Truly appreciate it!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My toddler is there and has been there over a year.

Best parts: the teachers! Such caring staff and you can really see it in their faces. We particularly love Ms. Mya and Ms. Denise but every teacher we've had there has been great. Parent's Night Out is amazing (once a month weekend evening hours for $30 fee). Child has blossomed under their care, verbally/developmentally and motor-skills wise, and is disappointed on weekends when it's not a "school day." Tuition is high like everywhere else, but reasonable for this area.

Bottom line: We love it overall but are looking at moving daycares if they don't change their COVID policies soon. 10 day quarantine plus PCR tests to return for any cases in a class, siblings affected every time too. This is contrary to Alexandria Health Dept and CDC recommendations. We are all fully up to date on vaccines including the toddler, btw -- just can't keep missing work, stressing ourselves out or paying for backup sitters.

Other, MUCH more minor drawbacks: still only open until 5:30 pm, which is tight timing when DH and I are both at the office. Sometimes a bit disorganized. Teacher turnover is not super high but higher than we'd like. No parent listserv that we can see, so it's hard to coordinate among parents (playdates, etc.) without getting to know each one individually.

Thank you so much for all the feedback!
Indeed the quarantine policy is too much!
Question please: I understand they don’t have a playground at Hume, i am wondering where do they take the kids for outdoor time?
Again, thank you so much! Truly appreciate it!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My toddler is there and has been there over a year.

Best parts: the teachers! Such caring staff and you can really see it in their faces. We particularly love Ms. Mya and Ms. Denise but every teacher we've had there has been great. Parent's Night Out is amazing (once a month weekend evening hours for $30 fee). Child has blossomed under their care, verbally/developmentally and motor-skills wise, and is disappointed on weekends when it's not a "school day." Tuition is high like everywhere else, but reasonable for this area.

Bottom line: We love it overall but are looking at moving daycares if they don't change their COVID policies soon. 10 day quarantine plus PCR tests to return for any cases in a class, siblings affected every time too. This is contrary to Alexandria Health Dept and CDC recommendations. We are all fully up to date on vaccines including the toddler, btw -- just can't keep missing work, stressing ourselves out or paying for backup sitters.

Other, MUCH more minor drawbacks: still only open until 5:30 pm, which is tight timing when DH and I are both at the office. Sometimes a bit disorganized. Teacher turnover is not super high but higher than we'd like. No parent listserv that we can see, so it's hard to coordinate among parents (playdates, etc.) without getting to know each one individually.

Thank you so much for all the feedback!
Indeed the quarantine policy is too much!
Question please: I understand they don’t have a playground at Hume, i am wondering where do they take the kids for outdoor time?
Again, thank you so much! Truly appreciate it!

They do have a playground at Hume. It's small but there is one. They also sometimes take kids to Mt. Jefferson Park down the street. They have buggies for the little ones and the rope/loop thingy for older toddlers to walk.

[Anonymous]

gosh, the poor teachers pulling those heavy wagons with like 5-6 kids. No wonder the turnover is super high. I bet you they are not paid $30 an hour while parents pay such high tuition. Teachers, can you share how much you make per hr, and if you have benefits?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:gosh, the poor teachers pulling those heavy wagons with like 5-6 kids. No wonder the turnover is super high. I bet you they are not paid $30 an hour while parents pay such high tuition. Teachers, can you share how much you make per hr, and if you have benefits?

The entire daycare industry is on the verge of an economic collapse and you're right, it's probably because of the heavy wagons.

[Anonymous]

OP -- they just changed their policy, fwiw. No exposure quarantine for asymptomatic kids 2 and over. Not exactly clear what the testing or masking policy will be after exposure but their policy has changed in a good direction