Anonymous
Post 02/28/2013 01:30     Subject: Your Top three full time preschools you considered in McLean, falls Church Arlington?
Thanks all for great posts! I'm the poster from FL who will be working in DC while husband works in Fair Lakes and who was looking for full-time daycare.
To the woman who posted about how she makes JCC work - when you say "downtown," do you mean DC? (I don't know the lingo of the area yet!) If so, are you really able to drive from JCC into DC within 30-45 minutes? If so, I'm impressed! I thought that would be impossible. But then again, I wouldn't be able to get in the HOV Lane...
Anonymous
Post 02/04/2013 11:24     Subject: Your Top three full time preschools you considered in McLean, falls Church Arlington?
We applied to and got into Columbia Baptist in Falls Church and Ballston Children's Center in Arlington. CB was much cheaper, but we decided to go with BCC because (1) my kid didn't have to be potty-trained to start there and I had a feeling that she might be a late potty-trainer (she was), (2) the location was slightly better for both parents' commutes, and (3) we knew two other families at BCC and I like having a sense of community. We've been happy there. I also checked out a few preschools in South Arlington, but didn't pursue them once we found a home in North Arlington.
Anonymous
Post 02/03/2013 07:30     Subject: Re:Your Top three full time preschools you considered in McLean, falls Church Arlington?
Anonymous wrote:Thank you I did look at Keshet before but it seems to close at 1:15 p.m. daily from what I saw on its website (http://www.keshetcdc.com/Our-Program/Schedule-of-Classes.aspx). I REALLY wish the Rodef Shalom nursery was full-time as we are thinking of joining their Synagogue. I've reached out to them to see if they have any suggestions as well.

The JCC in Fairfax would work except that it then leaves my husband doing drop off and pick up every day (if we live in Falls Church) unless we live in Fairfax. And if we live in Fairfax, from what I can tell, my commute will be such that I will have to leave the house too early to even help get my son ready for school unless we wake him up super early. I imagine these are the issues most families with both parents working full-time face in the D.C. metro area and that we're not alone. We are moving from Tampa, FL and our schedules now are such that we can alternate dropping off and picking up, which has been a blessing. Plus, we never have more than a 20 minute drive in any direction.

I looked into some of the private schools mentioned above but HOLY MOLY! They are charging the same $20k for two-year olds who play with puzzles and learn ABCs as they do for 8th graders who have full-on lessons and tests. I knew the type of school we wanted would not be cheap but I estimated about $1,200/month, not over $2,000/month

Please keep suggestions coming!


Hi - just wanted to share how we make the JCC work even though its not convenient to home or work. We live in Falls Church. I am a consultant so my work location varies - right now I am working downtown. My husband works in Herndon. I drop off DS around 745 or 8 and get to work (south on the beltway to 395) around 830 or 845. I have a Prius and can go on HOV - otherwise it might not be feasible. DH works like 6:30-3, then heads to the JCC for a workout and pickup around 530. We all get home around 6. I'm sure we are making life more complicated than we need to, but as you are finding, it can be tough to find child care that works. DS is 16 months - transitioning from the infant room to the toddler room. We have been happy thus far.
Anonymous
Post 01/31/2013 16:52     Subject: Your Top three full time preschools you considered in McLean, falls Church Arlington?
Falls Church Mclean Children's Center off of Idlywood. I sent my two girls there and it's a realy great school. They are open from 7:30-6, I think. You should check it out-it's a fantastic place.
Anonymous
Post 01/30/2013 17:21     Subject: Re:Your Top three full time preschools you considered in McLean, falls Church Arlington?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Thank you I did look at Keshet before but it seems to close at 1:15 p.m. daily from what I saw on its website (http://www.keshetcdc.com/Our-Program/Schedule-of-Classes.aspx). I REALLY wish the Rodef Shalom nursery was full-time as we are thinking of joining their Synagogue. I've reached out to them to see if they have any suggestions as well.

The JCC in Fairfax would work except that it then leaves my husband doing drop off and pick up every day (if we live in Falls Church) unless we live in Fairfax. And if we live in Fairfax, from what I can tell, my commute will be such that I will have to leave the house too early to even help get my son ready for school unless we wake him up super early. I imagine these are the issues most families with both parents working full-time face in the D.C. metro area and that we're not alone. We are moving from Tampa, FL and our schedules now are such that we can alternate dropping off and picking up, which has been a blessing. Plus, we never have more than a 20 minute drive in any direction.

I looked into some of the private schools mentioned above but HOLY MOLY! They are charging the same $20k for two-year olds who play with puzzles and learn ABCs as they do for 8th graders who have full-on lessons and tests. I knew the type of school we wanted would not be cheap but I estimated about $1,200/month, not over $2,000/month


I don't recommend Rodef based on our experience, but it's good to get a wide range of perspectives. Glad to hear PP's kids had a great experience. There have been a lot of issues there since leadership changed 4/5/6 years ago with some faculty and parent discontent. Do a search on here and on the special needs thread.

If it doesn't have to be Jewish, we have friends who were pleased with Westgate.

Please keep suggestions coming!


Rodef Shalom mom here. There are a lot of working parents with kids at Rodef, and they find a nanny or sitter to pick up their child and spend the afternoons. We have a great nanny who does this and honestly it doesn't cost that much more than full time school or daycare, and I love that my 2-year-old can still come home to nap and relax at home. I also know a couple of families that do nanny shares with other Rodef families to cut costs. If you live in N Arlington, Falls Church, or McLean, you will live close to plenty of other people who go to Rodef so you could probably work something out. If you did a share I bet it would cost the same as full time school. We have been so happy with Rodef and I highly recommend it, especially if you are new to the area it is a great way to connect with other Jewish families.