I work near City Center and did this search a few years ago. Bambini is really great daycare not too far from you. I have heard great things about the Kindercare in Penn Quarter. If you or your spouse are feds there are several more great options (Just Us Kids, Smithsonian EEC, and Tiny Finding CDC which uses a lottery). My kiddo went Just Us Kids which also uses some of the Smithsonian curriculum and another fed daycare and made it into a top private for PK. She has a classmate from Bambini, and I know BIDKIDs at WIS. Perhaps it is taking a chance if you are determined to get in the Big3, but there are several entry years and lots of great privates so I would focus on what works for your family with a young child.

NCRC was great, but the curriculum has gone downhill in the last few years. They no longer focus on small age bands for individual classes and it shows in what the kids are learning, for the price, I don’t think it’s worth it any longer. We have other friends at Little Folks and St. Columba’s who rave about those programs they way we once did about NCRC.

I don't know how is is right now, but apply widely and hope to get a spot. Worry about fit if you are lucky enough to have options.

Definitely check out Lowell. The preprimary school is especially wonderful.

There are lots of good options near you. All the CC circle schools, Temple Sinai, Franklin Montessori, Montessori school of Chevy Chase.
One point to note, NCRC offers excellent support in finding a private school for your kid, if that’s your ultimate goal.

Anonymous wrote:OP, there is no such thing as "fit" for a pre-school for a 3.5 year old. He will be fine wherever he goes. The "fit" is only what is important to your family and 90% of that is location and proximity to home. Don't overthink this; it's not grad school yet.

+1. As the St. Columba's poster says, all of these schools are fantastic. I'd pick primarily based on proximity. That being said, you also will want to make sure the schedule fits with your childcare needs. Several of these schools (Metropolitan, and the ones on CC circle) only offer 2 to 3 days a week for the youngest kids. St. Columba's only offers five days a week. And NCRC might only offer you a spot in the afternoon spot. So pick based on proximity and which one offers the times/days you need.

We absolutely adore St. C's. The kids spend SO much time outdoors/getting exercise, the teachers are incredible, and the school is extraordinarily welcoming and unpretentious. I can't stress how great the playground is (there is a working stream!), and they aren't joking when they say the kids are outside for several hours no matter what, in ALL weather. It is awesome.

It's somewhat difficult to get in, but the school gives preference to children in the surrounding neighborhood which may include parts of CCDC. Also gives preference to families who make clear that it is their first choice.

I have friends who are very happy at NCRC, CCPC, Allsaints, Metropolitan, and Little Folks - really you can't go wrong in our area. Nursery school is such a fun stage. Good luck!

OP, there is no such thing as "fit" for a pre-school for a 3.5 year old. He will be fine wherever he goes. The "fit" is only what is important to your family and 90% of that is location and proximity to home. Don't overthink this; it's not grad school yet.

Start with whatever is closest to you and review it carefully to see if the teachers are well trained and have been there a while. You don’t need much but caring and positive teachers at this age

Anonymous wrote:Pre-K 3 is mostly play. Your kid will be fine wherever he goes.

Agree 100%. I have kids in the same Big Three. One kid went to a well-regarded preschool in NW and another kid went to a basic not well-regarded daycare. The basic daycare child had a MUCH better experience and transitioned with stronger confidence to private school. After a number of years in, however, it all evens out and they're both doing fine. My 2cents based on my experience=take the option that fits your lifestyle and location.

NCRC is amazing, but may still be very hard to get into. and is also very expensive. All three of my kids went there. It's miles above any other preschool we tried.

I've had 3 kids go through preschool. We looked at the following: are the kids safe? are they happy? are they playing? do the teachers seem happy? are the teachers treating the kids with respect? do the hours fit our schedule? is the center convenient to us?

These questions have never steered us wrong.
All the rest is gravy.

I know you said you’re looking for feedback on OTHER schools, but I can’t help but say that I think NCRC is simply amazing.

Pre-K 3 is mostly play. Your kid will be fine wherever he goes.

My oldest will be starting pre-school in the fall (he will be 3.5) and I don't know where to begin looking. We live in CCDC. DH and I are Catholic and both went to Catholic schools with pretty good experiences, so we are open to Catholic pre-K but also open to other options. People talk a lot about fit. He is a happy go-lucky toddler! He isn't reading the New York Times, but he also isn't missing any milestones.

We plan to send him to private school, whether Catholic or not. I don't really see us as candidates for "Big 3" schools since DH & I aren't legacies at Ivy League schools. I just want him to be happy, enjoy learning and enjoy his childhood. I don't care if he goes to an Ivy League school and I don't want him surrounded by people who find it to be the be-all-end-all of existence. It seems crazy to be evaluating pre-school based on where you want your kid to end up for high school, but I can't think of any other logical way to go about this. Any advice on how to think about it or approach it? Alternatively, anyone in NW DC have a pre school that they love and recommend we check out? For Pre-K 3 I am familiar with NCRC, St. Columbas, and Our Lady of Victory. Feedback on those schools or others would be much appreciated.