Can anyone tell me what the playground/outdoor play schedule is like? The first poster mentioned that there was a playground, but I don't see anything on Google Maps. It's important to me that my child get some time to run around outdoors each day (on grass not just asphalt), so I'm looking for a center that will give her daily time outdoors. Thanks!

I have also noticed that communication between parents and management is not great- but it it is fine. My children get superb care from their teachers. My oldest just moved up to the next class and her teachers are very outgoing and excited to see my child everyday. The teacher writes on a board all the things have have taught or talked about that day so I can chat with my oldest about it in the car ride home. The "not great" communication has not changed my opinion about the school. The care is GREAT and communication is fine- not great, but fine.
When I have a question I just ask......(which is not often because the teachers can almost always answer my questions)

I have to say I have mixed feelings about this place. The teachers are mostly very good with the kids, and I haven't any troubles with that. However, the Administration of the center does not meet expectations. I find the director to be challenged by the truth on many occasions. Mgmt communication with teachers is terrible, there are no bonuses or incentives to work toward which all leads to lower moral. Communication with parents has only recently began to see modest improvements. The physical space of the infant room is not adequate for older toddlers, and could even be better for the littler ones too. As for summer programs, last year I heard it cost around $400 per child in the older rooms, above regular tuition, for field trips and special activites. Those whose kids weren't able to afford to participate in some of them stayed behind and tears were running high in some cases. IMO, a center should make everything affordable to all kids in the room, or not have the activity. I guess it just depends on what one's personal expectations and desires are for a daycare center.

Anonymous wrote:Any thoughts on the "pre-school" program at Georgetown Hill- NRC campus? The 4/5 year old room that is...

I am also curious about the 4/5 year old room.
It is a "pre- school" setting? How much of the day is spent on academics/ on play time? etc...

Any thoughts on the "pre-school" program at Georgetown Hill- NRC campus? The 4/5 year old room that is...

I was told last week that the wait time for NRC employees and non-NRC employees is 18 and 22-24 months, respectively.

Anyone have experience with their infant care?

We havw been at the NRC for 5 months and are very ahppy. Same teachers the entire time, who seem VERY dedicated. Our child is happy and never wants to go home when we pick her up in the afternoon. Parents are encouraged to come in any time and I always feel welcomed when I am in the room. We like our daughters teachers as much as she does!

I'm the earlier poster who mentioned turnover. Most of the turnover is during the summer as with any school I expect. We had one teacher depart aburptly while we were there. I don't fault the administration for this loss (I think that her sister was asked to leave and so she quit as well). I do think some communication to the parents in that classroom should have occurred. It was my older child who told me her sibling's teacher had quit. I think they were understandably tight lipped about a sensitive HR issue--but it wasn't handled well. That said, the new team they recruited was fabulous.

I am a little concerned that some of the "best teachers" do not seem all together happy with the administration. Two that I was very fond of left this past summer. Perhaps the grass is always greener in this field. I was very pleased with the care my kids received and only pulled them out because of logistics related to elementary school and my work schedule.

DS has been going here for three months and is in the 2's room. I am very impressed compared to our previous situation (an in-home center). He can identify letters, count to thirteen, and has increased his verbal/social skills considerably in three months. The teachers are happy to chat and discuss issues/concerns/achievements. I can't comment on the turnover since it has only been a few months, but I do notice that the teachers swing shifts so that sometimes his 2's room has teachers staying late and sometimes it is teacher's from the other 2's class.

The administrator seems a little introverted, which may be why people feel she is "weird". I get the impression that it is difficult for her to interact with the parents, but she makes an effort and the school seems well run in the time I've interacted with them (since May when we put our son on the waiting list).

There are no field trips in DS's age group, though, so I also can't say much about them being disorganized (or the summer program since we started this school year).

bump- any other thoughts?

I have a child at the NRC. She LOVES it. Her teachers are wonderful , creative, friendly, informative and really seem to care about her. They have taken the time to get to know her and it shows. They have both been there since she began and it doesn't appear that either are leaving anytime soon. I will be sad when she moves to the next class, but know that class will be just as wonderful. I am very happy with the program. I have not yet experienced the summer program. Yes, I agree the administration sometimes seems disorganized, but the place does seem to run well. A bit of office disorganization doesn't directly effect my child's care. The care she receives from her 2 teachers is superb.

When you say 'turnover with teachers', how much turnover are you talking about? A new teacher every year or every few months?

My two kids are here. It's not perfect, but we have been quite happy. Pros-- great facility, clean, nice classrooms, playground, safe etc; many opportunities for enrichment include weekly music, karate, ballet, art and spanish class (you pay extra for the karate and ballet); catering by the Good Food company provides a hot nutricious meal and snacks and I don't have to pack lunch!!; the infant care was top-notch, many great providers who really cared about my baby; many fabulous teachers. Cons-- I find the director a little odd but the place seems to run pretty darn well so she must be capable; the summer activities for the older kids 4/5 were very poorly organized last summer and I am putting my rising kindergardner elsewhere for camp this summer to avoid a repeat. We've had our share of turnover with teachers, but they continue to attract GREAT new additions.

I am interested to hear about your impressions/experience. This is located on Rockville Pike at the NRC building.