Anonymous wrote:
Did any of you send your DCs to a full-time preschool? I apologize for posting here, but the daycare/preschool threads haven't been helping me out because they cater more to families that don't need full time school or are looking at programs for little toddlers.

For those that went to a full-time preschool program, would you mind sharing which program and what you thought about it.
TIA!

Because Kindergarten is so accelerated these days, it's highly recommended to have some preschool experience before K (coming from a former PreK teacher with Bachelors in Early Childhood and Masters in Special Education). In preschool, kids learn how to navigate a classroom setting (following rules, sitting for circle time, dealing with other kids, etc), learn early social and academic skills, and can develop a positive outlook on school before the transition to Kindergarten which is much more academic. Research has shown that kids who attend preschool transition more easily into Kindergarten and perform better throughout their school career.

As far as programs, there are tons of options. It's best to come up with some options, visit, and see what seems like a good fit for your family. Some elementary schools offer PreK too, but not all. Be sure to check the schools accreditation and you can also check their compliance record online (if you google Maryland, DC, or Virginia Department of Education, compliance records, etc and you should be able to find it).

I've heard good things about Primary Day School, I think they start at 4 and go up to 2nd grade. I've also heard good things about Potomac Glen Day School (ages 2-5). There are tons of other options too though.

OMG Beauvoir is 31000+. Normal for early elementary or above average?

nclarke wrote:Try St. Albans Early Childhood Center.

Is it affiliated with STA?

Try St. Albans Early Childhood Center.

Beauvoir has one as well. I think they have preference for siblings and teachers' kids, but I understand that if there is space they are willing to take non siblings/non teacher kids as well.

Full time preschool through a daycare - think Bright Horizons, etc. Kid was in full time day care anyway. The school says in its material that they strongly encourage the kid to have gone to preschool before Pre K, but not that it should be full time. I don't think that matters. Your kid will have an adjustment to fulltime school, whether it happens at 3 or 4 or 5.

We have done full time pre school with all of our kids and are happy we did. We do both woh though. Check out lowell for an excellent pre school

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Seems this question is asked every two weeks. If you are a parent, run a thread search on the topic ( lot's of info) If you are the owner of a Pre-School, pay for your advertising like everyone else.

Look, I'm just another parent who is anxious about the process and I'm unfamiliar with DC schools. If you don't like this thread, don't read it. Go back to arguing about which private school is more rigorous.

So do a topic search and read the pages and pages of posts already written on this( if that IS what you are looking for) I personally would not remommend doing pre-school. I don't think it is necessary, unless you are looking to lift your child out of poverty or don't have time to read to and play with your child and can't afford a Nanny.

Washington Episcopal School offers a nursery program for 3YOs with the option of aftercare until 6.

NPS and St. Patrick's both have nursery programs with the option to add after care every day if you need it.

Concord Hill

Anonymous wrote:Seems this question is asked every two weeks. If you are a parent, run a thread search on the topic ( lot's of info) If you are the owner of a Pre-School, pay for your advertising like everyone else.

Look, I'm just another parent who is anxious about the process and I'm unfamiliar with DC schools. If you don't like this thread, don't read it. Go back to arguing about which private school is more rigorous.

The Gan has a full time pre-school class that people are really enjoying from what I hear.

Seems this question is asked every two weeks. If you are a parent, run a thread search on the topic ( lot's of info) If you are the owner of a Pre-School, pay for your advertising like everyone else.

Did any of you send your DCs to a full-time preschool? I apologize for posting here, but the daycare/preschool threads haven't been helping me out because they cater more to families that don't need full time school or are looking at programs for little toddlers.

For those that went to a full-time preschool program, would you mind sharing which program and what you thought about it.
TIA!