OP here - we are currently at Easter Seals in DTSS. Our son has been there since he was 4 months old.

OP: What daycare in downtown? We're looking for a space for our 6 month old infant and we live in DTSS.

Former Karasik parent here. We left Karasik because we moved out of the area, but one of the many things I LOVED about it was their playspace. They have a nice outdoor play area (playground, room for trikes etc), plus the big field in the back. In summer, they do activities in the field with a parachute and also have had a moon bounce come for a few days at the end the summer. The other really big plus in terms of physical activity is the indoor gym. When the weather is rainy, cold, etc, the kids get activity time in the gym. Not only do they have room to run around, but there are climbing structures, tumbling mats, etc. In short, lack of physical activity is definitely not a concern at Karasik. Another thing I really liked about Karasik is the size of the classrooms. Compared to the other two child care centers we've been at the the physical space of the classrooms at Karasik is much larger, despite having a similar number of kids enrolled.

OP here. Thanks for the responses. We are drawn to De Colores for the Spanish component, and what seem to be very good teacher/student ratios (very unlike our current daycares), but it is not super convenient for us. Also, the pre-K room is brand new, so there is little feedback available on the curriculum, etc.

Karasik is more convenient (and also much cheaper), but no foreign language (although on our tour we noted there are various hispanic teachers) and I also wonder what type of outdoor activities the kids have. They mentioned that they will wander down to the trail in the park, but is there anywhere else they can/do walk to? Our current daycare is in DTSS, so the kids can walk all kinds of places... and at De Colores they hit up the really big playground down the street at least once a day (or so they told us). Karasik seemed more isolated.

We have a 4 1/2 year old who has been at Karasik since 3 and a 2-year old who has been there since 18 months. We absoultely love the place! Great teachers, directors, activities, and families!

Our child is in one of the 2's rooms at Karasik and I have nothing but wonderful things to say about it. He's really blossomed there, the teachers are loving toward the children and it's a great inclusion environment.

I currently have a 2yr old at DeColores on 3rd st nw. I love the center, the activities and the staff. Although my child cried for the first two months whenever I picked her up she is totally fine. Now that she's been there for 4 months now it isn't an issue. The Christmas celebration was great with a video/movie of the kids doing activities during the day. They go on walks, have music lessons and yoga class! It's really awsome! The made V-day cards for the moms, they are really creative with the activities. They are based on the seasons and holidays. I can go on and on.

We are currently considering all of these program for our 2-year-old son. Any feedback? Pros/cons? I realize they are all quite different.


Thanks!