Anonymous
Post 05/12/2025 15:23     Subject: Re:I am looking at Har Shalom vs Alfa Bet for my 3 year old daughter
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I don’t know anything about either of these Jewish preschools but I sent my DS to the Gan. I’m Jewish and these preschools have some many days off. It can be a real PITA.



Really? In my experience, Jewish preschools in this area have more or less the same number of days off as regular preschools - they just take different days occasionally. So instead of, say, Veterans Day you get Rosh Hashanah. etc. Granted it requires some additional juggling once or twice a year those times when, say, Passover doesn't line up with Easter or something ...but it's not like a weekly or even a monthly issue.


But the difference is that I get veterans day off but I don't get simchat Torah off.


Actually, I think that Har Shalom actually is open for almost all the Jewish holidays. A family member has her kids there and she told me that they let you sign up for the those days (I'm not sure if it's included or extra) and while it's not a regular class it's still all day care. It's worth checking out if the program otherwise meets your needs.
Anonymous
Post 05/07/2025 22:02     Subject: Re:I am looking at Har Shalom vs Alfa Bet for my 3 year old daughter
Sorry, yes Alef Bet!
Anonymous
Post 05/07/2025 22:02     Subject: I am looking at Har Shalom vs Alfa Bet for my 3 year old daughter
Anonymous wrote:It won't be just early closings on Fridays, but all the Jewish holidays. Personally, I would choose the school whose religious philosophy/teachings and schedule worked best over Montessori, but your priorities might be different.

Would you consider a secular Montessori school?


Yes, I would consider a secular Montessori school. My other two went to Barrie but since we are moving it is too far of a commute. Any suggestions on secular Montessori schools close to Potomac. I considered one but it was located very close to an asphalt mixing or some kind of mining and I worry about the particulate matter and other chemicals in the air.
Anonymous
Post 05/07/2025 21:58     Subject: I am looking at Har Shalom vs Alec Bet for my 3 year old daughter
Anonymous wrote:Do you mean ALEF Bet?


Yes! I didn’t do a good job checking speech to text. Thank you.
Anonymous
Post 05/05/2025 13:37     Subject: Re:I am looking at Har Shalom vs Alfa Bet for my 3 year old daughter
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I don’t know anything about either of these Jewish preschools but I sent my DS to the Gan. I’m Jewish and these preschools have some many days off. It can be a real PITA.



Really? In my experience, Jewish preschools in this area have more or less the same number of days off as regular preschools - they just take different days occasionally. So instead of, say, Veterans Day you get Rosh Hashanah. etc. Granted it requires some additional juggling once or twice a year those times when, say, Passover doesn't line up with Easter or something ...but it's not like a weekly or even a monthly issue.


But the difference is that I get veterans day off but I don't get simchat Torah off.
Anonymous
Post 05/05/2025 13:33     Subject: Re:I am looking at Har Shalom vs Alfa Bet for my 3 year old daughter
Anonymous wrote:I don’t know anything about either of these Jewish preschools but I sent my DS to the Gan. I’m Jewish and these preschools have some many days off. It can be a real PITA.



Really? In my experience, Jewish preschools in this area have more or less the same number of days off as regular preschools - they just take different days occasionally. So instead of, say, Veterans Day you get Rosh Hashanah. etc. Granted it requires some additional juggling once or twice a year those times when, say, Passover doesn't line up with Easter or something ...but it's not like a weekly or even a monthly issue.
Anonymous
Post 05/05/2025 13:19     Subject: Re:I am looking at Har Shalom vs Alfa Bet for my 3 year old daughter
I don’t know anything about either of these Jewish preschools but I sent my DS to the Gan. I’m Jewish and these preschools have some many days off. It can be a real PITA.

Anonymous
Post 05/05/2025 13:14     Subject: I am looking at Har Shalom vs Alfa Bet for my 3 year old daughter
It won't be just early closings on Fridays, but all the Jewish holidays. Personally, I would choose the school whose religious philosophy/teachings and schedule worked best over Montessori, but your priorities might be different.

Would you consider a secular Montessori school?
Anonymous
Post 05/05/2025 13:07     Subject: I am looking at Har Shalom vs Alfa Bet for my 3 year old daughter
Do you mean ALEF Bet?
Anonymous
Post 04/30/2025 15:56     Subject: I am looking at Har Shalom vs Alfa Bet for my 3 year old daughter
I am moving to Potomac from Olney MD and looking for help deciding between Har Shalom and Alfa Bet Montessori preschool/primary program. I love Montessori education and see that in action at Alfa Bet but not an observant Jew - so closing early on Friday is a problem for my work schedule. Har Shalom will be just minutes from our new home but it is not Montessori. Does anyone have experience with either?