Hi -- i want to find a great daycare for my son who is almost 1year old in the annandale area. Any current suggestions? My email is: alissa dot levine at gmail.

Thank you!!!

OP--I live across 236 from the Advent Apts that you mentioned. I'm pretty familiar with the area.

Moving from Central VA to here, I think you're in for a cost shock across the board. A 2bd/2ba condo in the area will cost $240K, a 3bed/2.5ba townhouse will run you around $300K. These are unrenvoated, in need of repair properties.

The area you are looking at zoned for Annandale Terrace Elem school which gets a 2/10 on Great Schools. It is a Title 1 school and 78% of the school is on Free or Reduced Lunches. This is not to say that this is a bad school, but it does serve an economically poor population. On the 3rd grade standardized reading test, the school shows that it tested 81 students and 51% failed the test. You can go to the Fairfax County Public Schools website to see more of the data if you're interested.

The cost of food in NOVA is higher. The cost of utilities and car insurance are higher. When friends want to get together and take the kids to the trampoline park in Springfield, that's easily at $50 outing. In the winter when it gets cold and dark and you're looking for a place for your preschooler to burn off energy thats warm, people go to kiddie gym type places that cost $150/month and you can't just pay to drop in. Either you're a member or you're not. Yes, Washington DC offers a lot of free museum activities. Except metro is expensive and so is parking downtown. And 3 year olds quickly and easily get bored in the free museums. You can only go to the zoo so many times.

All this is to say that if this is the area that you are looking at because of what you can afford given the jobs that are bringing you to NOVA--you may want to consider if this is truly the best move for your family.

I have many friends in the military. The Pentagon often comes up as a job option. I always invite my friends to come visit and see what this area is really like. So far, everyone that has been able to have a say in their military move has opted to not come here because of the cost of living. And I haven't even begun to mention the traffic here.

I know you said your jobs are bringing you here. But just make sure you are going into this with your eyes wide open. Good luck.

Spring n dale building looks old. 20 kids with 3 teachers in 3 year old classroom. Dss website reports are ok. But no reviews. I tried few forums which talks about it's another building Springfield academy and some one mentioned it's crappy . But my DH may tour the building tomorrow. We are thinking to go with one place right now and if it does not work out ......then see. But I hate to move him again n again

The only problem is at present we are 3 hours away. I m not able to tour all the daycares. But I would love to.by the way grasshopper green I tried 2 days later the director she told me next opening is September. But my husband wanted to just try and called the next day she said she would have some in July . So we called to hold the spot then she said Oh no I have only in September. I do not know what's going on

OP, why don't you take the Grasshopper Green slot that you mentioned at the beginning of the thread? It could be good compromise between home care and a more expensive private option.

Anonymous wrote:Also I know that there will be difference between child care cost where I live now and Nova. But I was not prepared for this high rate. Even my sister who lives in Pasadena CA which is close to LA says she pays 800$ per month for full daycare with food . Child to teacher ratio is 1: 8 small class rooms and more academic and play. So I did not expect a huge leap in my child care cost which is double than what we are paying right now. But No other go I need to really find a good day care. Please suggest any day cares you could come up with. I can search and If it's reasonable and within commute it will help me.

Thank you . But pl tell me about spring n dale private school in Springfield. I could not find much reviews and they say they are there for 58 years. Also Lapetite academy in Springfield va

I have no knowledge of Spring n Dale. Why don't you call and set up a tour. La Petit is a major center provider. If your budget is $1000 for full day care, I'm pretty sure it's going to cost more than that.

Why are you against in home day care centers? That's what many of us do who cannot afford the center based school rates do.

Also I know that there will be difference between child care cost where I live now and Nova. But I was not prepared for this high rate. Even my sister who lives in Pasadena CA which is close to LA says she pays 800$ per month for full daycare with food . Child to teacher ratio is 1: 8 small class rooms and more academic and play. So I did not expect a huge leap in my child care cost which is double than what we are paying right now. But No other go I need to really find a good day care. Please suggest any day cares you could come up with. I can search and If it's reasonable and within commute it will help me.

Thank you . But pl tell me about spring n dale private school in Springfield. I could not find much reviews and they say they are there for 58 years. Also Lapetite academy in Springfield va

But do you have any idea about spring n dale

Oh. Might be then I need to increase my budget. I could go further . We have to cut down our other cost.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:


I can spend upto 1000$. / month for my little ones safety and education. I need a safe place . I will be happy with STEM or griffin academy but they are very expensive and they do not provide snack or lunch.

.

Your budget it to low Granted, I was looking in Arlington so slightly closer in, but I do not think I saw a single center that was less than 1000 a month for a 2 year old. We paid 1600 a month for a 2 year old.
You need to either go with a low cost in home day care, or come up with other ways to increase your child care budget.

Agree. 3 years ago I was paying $720/ month for in home car in Annandale for full time including lunch and snacks. I thought I was getting an incredible deal.

Anonymous wrote:


I can spend upto 1000$. / month for my little ones safety and education. I need a safe place . I will be happy with STEM or griffin academy but they are very expensive and they do not provide snack or lunch.

.

Your budget it to low Granted, I was looking in Arlington so slightly closer in, but I do not think I saw a single center that was less than 1000 a month for a 2 year old. We paid 1600 a month for a 2 year old.
You need to either go with a low cost in home day care, or come up with other ways to increase your child care budget.

S. I'm looking for5 days full day care. Do you have any idea about spring n dale private school? I see good reviews and inspection report also good.


I can spend upto 1000$. / month for my little ones safety and education. I need a safe place . I will be happy with STEM or griffin academy but they are very expensive and they do not provide snack or lunch. I think STEM provides snacks. Also potty training policy is strict. I even tried AUMC CDC their potty training policy is very very strict. They have an opening . My little one is almost potty trained but I'm scared in case if he has an accident. I heard from the director that in case if he has an accident he needs to change his dress by himself. Staff are not supposed to help him.

I understand that it's their policy but as a mom I am not ready for it. I do not want my little one to feel infront of other kids. Everybody has their opinion regarding potty training. But he is going to be three and I think he is still a child and needs some more time. Not only him I feel for all the kids. I think it might affect their self esteem as a child .

I'm sorry that I'm over elaborating but I'm frustrated.

A new daycare called Communikids just opened near Annandale Rd and Rt 50 in falls church. Don't know if that's too far.

Anonymous wrote:Hi

I looked at STEM and Griffin . I really like them and will be very happy if I could afford it. STEM is very expensive. Do you have any ideas regarding Spring n dale private school.

What's your budget? Do you want full day (7:30-6) 5x/wk or less hours/less days?

Hi

I looked at STEM and Griffin . I really like them and will be very happy if I could afford it. STEM is very expensive. Do you have any ideas regarding Spring n dale private school.