Appletree vs. PreK Expansion Program sites

[Anonymous]

Hi all - we matched at Appletree Columbia Heights in the lottery, and are unlikely to get off the waitlist at the options we ranked above it. In addition, we are likely to have Barbara Chambers and Easter Seals as (free) options under the PreK Expansion Program. Unfortunately though I was not able to tour these latter two before the COVID closures. Does anyone have thoughts on how these all compare? FWIW I liked the teachers at Appletree and the kids seemed really happy, but I thought the facility itself was pretty awful.

[Anonymous]

OP here - one more thing - we are likely moving next year, so that is why I'm not particularly concerned about finding a school that will work out past preK.

[Anonymous]

The expansion sites operate year-round, so that's a plus. You won't have to worry about summer camp.

[Anonymous]

Easter Seals told me there was already a wait list. Maybe they thought I was inquiring about regular child care and not Pre-K.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Easter Seals told me there was already a wait list. Maybe they thought I was inquiring about regular child care and not Pre-K.

OP here - there is. We have not been offered a spot yet, but got on the list pretty early in the year and was told that there will likely be seats available by mid-summer. Don't know how long the list now or how many people got on it in the interim.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Easter Seals told me there was already a wait list. Maybe they thought I was inquiring about regular child care and not Pre-K.

OP here - there is. We have not been offered a spot yet, but got on the list pretty early in the year and was told that there will likely be seats available by mid-summer. Don't know how long the list now or how many people got on it in the interim.

Gotcha. I'm not going to pay to be added to their waitlist for a free program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The expansion sites operate year-round, so that's a plus. You won't have to worry about summer camp.

+1. If you’re only looking for prek, then I’d prioritize a school with the hours and days you need. Would be easier to not have to worry about after care and all of the random days off.