Georgetown Hill NRC

[Anonymous]

We were looking Georgetown Hill NRC for our infant before I checked the State of MD inspection reports and saw "At inspection, LS viewed a video which has the tag "Payback" and a staff member holding and then in a jerk, shaking a 17 month old awake from being asleep." At this point I can't really imagine sending my child there, but just in case, are there any current parents on here of infants or toddlers at this center? Anything you know of that they've done to ensure this would never happen again? Guess I'm also now absolutely terrified that this kind of thing happens pretty often but just isn't reported, and that a different center may not be any better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We were looking Georgetown Hill NRC for our infant before I checked the State of MD inspection reports and saw "At inspection, LS viewed a video which has the tag "Payback" and a staff member holding and then in a jerk, shaking a 17 month old awake from being asleep." At this point I can't really imagine sending my child there, but just in case, are there any current parents on here of infants or toddlers at this center? Anything you know of that they've done to ensure this would never happen again? Guess I'm also now absolutely terrified that this kind of thing happens pretty often but just isn't reported, and that a different center may not be any better.

This is not normal for a center. Physically hurting a child? Run away.

[Anonymous]

I’ve heard all great things about Georgetown hill (not necessarily NRC but in general) so this is surprising. In addition to talking to moms that have gone there I would also ask the school about the incident to get more info.

[Anonymous]

NRC is slightly different than other GT locations. We planned to send our daughter there because we lived so close and metroed to work, but my husband and I never felt right about it (we toured twice). There is no actual infant or toddler room. It’s just two gated corners. The whole place seemed overcrowded and the staff disorganized. I’ve also heard they have strange transition schedules since space is so limited. So, your child’s transition to a new classroom could be delayed for months.
We have toured 2 other GT locations further north and they are much different than NRC (also pricier).
That report would scare me for sure. They may not be hiring the most qualified staff, not support teachers, or have issues among staff. You need to be cautious when selecting care, especially for younger babies and toddlers.

[Anonymous]

We have been a Georgetown Hill family for 5 years and have been pleased with our experience. My kids go to GH - North Potomac.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have been a Georgetown Hill family for 5 years and have been pleased with our experience. My kids go to GH - North Potomac.

I have heard worse stories regarding the North Potomac location. Lack of supervision, absent directors, uncertified teachers etc. When they first openers, they tried to do so quickly and hired people that are not qualified to handle and run a preschool. Over the years, GH had really gone down hill. A lot of turnover in admin and teachers and the academic programming is negligible. A lot of play. Glad you are fine with it though.

[Anonymous]

The school showed the inspector a video of abuse during an inspection?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have been a Georgetown Hill family for 5 years and have been pleased with our experience. My kids go to GH - North Potomac.

I have heard worse stories regarding the North Potomac location. Lack of supervision, absent directors, uncertified teachers etc. When they first openers, they tried to do so quickly and hired people that are not qualified to handle and run a preschool. Over the years, GH had really gone down hill. A lot of turnover in admin and teachers and the academic programming is negligible. A lot of play. Glad you are fine with it though.

Interesting. I've been considering GT Hill N. Potomac, since I have heard all good things. However, I did see on the MD inspection website that they did have issues with lack of supervision and overcrowding. I don't think a lot of play is necessarily bad for preschoolers - I'd rather that than a heavy academic focus. And, from what I saw during a tour, kids were pretty engaged in activities. And, the student to teacher ratio during COVID at GT Hill seems much better than Goddard Gaithersburg and Rockville...the other schools in the area I toured. However, the overcrowding does give me second thought, especially if I were to enroll a toddler.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have been a Georgetown Hill family for 5 years and have been pleased with our experience. My kids go to GH - North Potomac.

I have heard worse stories regarding the North Potomac location. Lack of supervision, absent directors, uncertified teachers etc. When they first openers, they tried to do so quickly and hired people that are not qualified to handle and run a preschool. Over the years, GH had really gone down hill. A lot of turnover in admin and teachers and the academic programming is negligible. A lot of play. Glad you are fine with it though.

I’m the GHES family. The director at GH-North Potomac has been with GH for over 20 years. She came from Woodley Gardens when there was a fire there. I’m not sure where you heard stories but we have had first hand experience and it has been a positive. Are there areas where they can improve? Sure. I don’t think there is a perfect school. We have had no teacher turnovers for my two kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The school showed the inspector a video of abuse during an inspection?

OP here. Yes, but it looks like the inspection took place as a result of a complaint about the video. Which I guess is a good sign - that someone saw the video and complained? Found it here: https://www.checkccmd.org/FacilityDetail.aspx...20852&c=&co=&fi=1499

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ve heard all great things about Georgetown hill (not necessarily NRC but in general) so this is surprising. In addition to talking to moms that have gone there I would also ask the school about the incident to get more info.

OP here. Yeah, I was really shocked when I saw it. From online sleuthing, it looks like the same director is still there as is listed in the inspection report, so it's not like they did a change in leadership since then. We will ask them about it just in case they have a fantastic answer that makes us feel comfortable with it, but I kind of doubt it.

[Anonymous]

My child was there when this incident occurred. It was a new teacher who was terminated after the incident. Not excusing the behavior but providing context. We have been satisfied with the center leadership.