Not the PP but my kids both just started at Celebree in Tysons and it’s been a very positive experience thus far. Brand new/very clean and teachers have been consistent which was why we left their previous school. I also like being able to go back and drop off and pick up from their rooms which we couldn’t do at their previous one either.

thanks PP - do you have any experience with Celebree? it is newish i think

Celebree School in Tysons is open for in person tours. You may want to give them a try. Sounds like its in your area.

There is a standard ratio set by the state of VA for licensed centers.

Localities can then impose stricter ratios if they wish. Up until 2019, Arlington Co. was the only local county/city in the NOVA area that imposed a stricter ratio limit. Since 2019, their ratio requirements are now in line with the state of VA which are

0 -2 years - 1 adult to 4 children; max 12 children
2 years - 1 adult to 6 children; max 12 children
3 - 4 years - 1 adult to 10 children; max 20 children
5 years - 1 adult to 12 children; max 24 children
mixed ages - ratio is based on the lowest child in the mix

I looked at Crystal City Children's Center, which (at least for younger groups) is pretty low-ratio. It is expensive, though. $2400ish for toddler.

N. Arlington /Falls Church / Mclean

I cared more about the qualifications of the teachers than the actual ratio. My daughter went to a daycare that was for ages 2 and up. All teachers had to have a 4 year degree. 2 teachers per room plus 2 aides. I found most of the aides to be quite competent although I don't know what education they had.

OP you might have more luck with options if you say where in NOVA you are looking.

Anonymous wrote:this is OP - touring is limited right now due to the pandemic, and so are meetings w/ teachers unfortunately. I think pretty much all daycares are chain daycares unless they are church-affiliated or in-home, aren't they?

No. There are non-profits that aren't chains. If you do a google search for non-profit daycare and then the location (like reston, herndon, etc) and scroll past the ads you'll get an idea of which ones there are in the area you are interested in.

Anonymous wrote:this is OP - touring is limited right now due to the pandemic, and so are meetings w/ teachers unfortunately. I think pretty much all daycares are chain daycares unless they are church-affiliated or in-home, aren't they?

Not sure what your fixation is with chains, but there are plenty of daycares that are independent locations. There are also mini chains like Little Acorn Patch which has two locations in VA, so a chain of 2 daycares...

Ratios have nothing to do with chain or non-chain. Ratios are set by the state. If you want lower ratios, I believe Maryland has lower ratios than VA for toddlers and infants.

A lot of chains are franchises and therefore quality totally depends on the franchise owner. One of the most in-demand daycares in Old Town is a chain (Bright Horizons Innovation Station at the USPTO), but it's a franchise location that is very well-run and has a relationship with the USPTO.

this is OP - touring is limited right now due to the pandemic, and so are meetings w/ teachers unfortunately. I think pretty much all daycares are chain daycares unless they are church-affiliated or in-home, aren't they?

Ratios are not what its all about. Schools who say they have lower ratios often just stick an untrained aid in the room for that extra person. Its about quality of teachers not quantity. Go tour and really see the classroom dynamics and management. Don't get too caught up about the ratios. Ask about the experience and see for yourself.

Anonymous wrote:I am trying to figure out childcare and trying to read the various threads to learn about daycare and am reading about "big box" daycare and about "posh, low ratio" daycares.... I'm not sure which is which.
I need daycare and for a variety of reasons, I don't think in-home daycare is what will work for me. So I am trying to find a daycare center... but I really want to find a quality one with a low child to caretaker ratio.
Which ones are the best ones???

Find ones that are not chain daycares and are local.

I am trying to figure out childcare and trying to read the various threads to learn about daycare and am reading about "big box" daycare and about "posh, low ratio" daycares.... I'm not sure which is which.
I need daycare and for a variety of reasons, I don't think in-home daycare is what will work for me. So I am trying to find a daycare center... but I really want to find a quality one with a low child to caretaker ratio.
Which ones are the best ones???