Anonymous wrote:Also wondering about potential movement for prek4? Any chance there will be any October openings?

At this point, someone would have to drop out of the school before the final count date, which I believe is about a week or so away.

It can and does happen, but there are very long shot odds.

Also wondering about potential movement for prek4? Any chance there will be any October openings?

Anonymous wrote:Surprised that Brillando is oft recommended here. It’s a running joke in our family how much my kids hated that place. We had a huge safety incident there. But to each their own!

We did also! Lala is a bit chaotic, but safe. I pulled my kid out of a Brillando camp because of a safety incident.

Surprised that Brillando is oft recommended here. It’s a running joke in our family how much my kids hated that place. We had a huge safety incident there. But to each their own!

Does anyone know if the waitlist for Pk3 is still moving?

And I think they still have the property on Rittenhouse? Kiddo loved summer camp so trying the aftercare likely held at Dorothy Height Elementey.

Anonymous wrote:Actually I think my answer is the same for both (summer camp vs. aftercare):

I think whether Lala's is a good fit depends on your tolerance for a decent amount of disorganization and chaos. My kids went for one whole summer and have been for several days off. I was never concerned for their safety, but I've had friends try it since and not be comfortable with certain things. (For example, there is a huge metal outdoor staircase at her property at Georgia and Buchanan. Not exactly ideal for younger kids if not supervised completely.)

Lala is no longer at the Buchanan St. location. Pretty sure it's all consolidated at Taylor St. now.

Thank you! I will check out Brillando. Glad I checked here!

Actually I think my answer is the same for both (summer camp vs. aftercare):

I think whether Lala's is a good fit depends on your tolerance for a decent amount of disorganization and chaos. My kids went for one whole summer and have been for several days off. I was never concerned for their safety, but I've had friends try it since and not be comfortable with certain things. (For example, there is a huge metal outdoor staircase at her property at Georgia and Buchanan. Not exactly ideal for younger kids if not supervised completely.)

All that being said, if your kid can easily go with the flow and likes the Montessori vibe, Lala's will be great. And she fills a much-needed space in the neighborhood/city where schools aftercares fill up and it's impossible to find camps on certain days off/at the end of August,, so I appreciate her services.

If you're looking for other aftercare providers, look in to Brillando too. My kids went there during the pandemic, and they loved it. It's definitely a calmer place than Lala's, and the staff is slightly better trained, but it's also pricier. Both good options, just both pricey unfortunately.