Anonymous wrote:Wow, unless the price is going up next year, that's a lot more than the monthly rate for MOMIES at Shining Stars.

The price is expected to go up similarly at SSMA.

That is quite a steep jump. Wondering if they considered easing families into the new change. Imagine any other budget line item saying "yeah we're going to more than double your bill in 4 months."

Anonymous wrote:Wow, unless the price is going up next year, that's a lot more than the monthly rate for MOMIES at Shining Stars.

Probably because Shining Stars is subsidizing -- and parents aren't paying the full cost.

Wow, unless the price is going up next year, that's a lot more than the monthly rate for MOMIES at Shining Stars.

Anonymous wrote:Aftercare for one child (without beforecare and without any discounts) if $325 NOT $400. The provider is Mommies TLC a mission based nonprofit that provides great programming and is full of lovely people. They will provide dance, martial arts, conflict resolution / peace building skills, and thier "great persons" in history curriculum. It costs money to provide programming. They are not trying to "rip-off" anyone.

Let's get the details right. It's MOMIES TLC not Mommies. The full price is $385 per month. If your household income is under $100k but you do not qualify for FARMS the price is $325. There is a 25 percent discount for the second child. The drop in rate is $20 per day.

MOMIES are fantastic but the price increase is extremely steep and will be very difficult for many families.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All the teachers are fantastic - outstanding even. Can you clarify what you mean by mixed reviews? The only issues I am aware of are related to the Montessori method, not the teachers themselves who are universally great and loved by the kids.

Do you have all the teachers? I'm not sure how you can make that statement if you've never actually been inside each classroom for at least a semester. Seeing them one time or meeting them does not give you an opportunity to make that statement.

1) there are only 4 classrooms, and 4 lead teachers
2) I have more than one child and am personally very familiar with three of the four teachers
3) Observations are great, but I personally have learned more about how the teachers work from parent information nights (monthly)
4) Children talk and share info about their days -- it's a great way to learn about what they are doing in school and how their teachers are doing
5) parents share information and impressions about their child's teachers

So, yes, I believe I am qualified to make that statement. You are welcome to disagree.

At our charter (not a Momie's aftercare location) many families simply didn't pay their bills. The school ended up having to cover the difference. The people who didnt pay were from all ends of the income spectrum. So now they charge enough to absorb cost of a certain number of people who wont/don't pay.

It seems like the lesson here is that the great aftercare was affordable for all... except for the school. I'm guessing that the reason aftercare is more expensive at virtually every other school (except the Title 1 DCPS's that offer it for free because DCPS heavily subsidizes the program) is because that's what it costs - finding staff who are available to work for 3 or 3.5 hours every day, paying them reasonable wages, maintaining the necessary insurance, etc.

I hope there is a sliding scale available for aftercare, but I don't think there's anything wrong with the school not heavily subsidizing it in favor of other goals, like securing a building (for example).

Aftercare for one child (without beforecare and without any discounts) if $325 NOT $400. The provider is Mommies TLC a mission based nonprofit that provides great programming and is full of lovely people. They will provide dance, martial arts, conflict resolution / peace building skills, and thier "great persons" in history curriculum. It costs money to provide programming. They are not trying to "rip-off" anyone.

That's such a shame that's one of the things Lee had going for it was the affordable aftercare and extras that they provided at an affordable price for all.

Anonymous wrote:$400/ mo.

Ouch. Not shot at Lee but it kills me that these aftercare companies are using the need of parents in such a rip of way. Full time daycare for an infant can be found for $200-$250 a week. 2 hours of aftercare for $400 is so sad. If I were a SAHM I'd be willing to watch 2-3 kids for $1200/month.

$400/ mo.