Anonymous wrote:NCRC is definitely the most elite pre-school.

Wow! What a ridiculous arrogant pompous statement. This has got to be a joke right? If you are a NCRC parent you are really doing the school a disservice. I know lots of NCRC parents and none of them would say something like that. Just YUCK!

Yes they do. There are quite a few day care children in my dc's pk class. NCRC is just one of many great preschools. It's no longer "the feeder" as it was once. We have LOVED St. Columba's but have also heard great things about other pre-schools--St. John's, Little Folks, Aiden, River, Franklin and so on. The list is really endless. One of the most important considerations in proximity. Just something to keep in mind. And while day care was not my choice I have to say that the children I know who have been in day care are very advanced, i.e. early readers etc.

I imagine there must be a few children who have been to daycare who attend NCRC. Most have nannies or stay home moms /dads but you never know.

Do the elite schoold even accept kids who have been to, gasp, dsycare?

Anonymous wrote:NCRC....

and then everyone else.

But then again, if you have to ask you wouldn't know that.

Will be interesting to see how it goes with the new director.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center, which takes the kids to museums every single day. They give preference to kids of Smithsonian employees, however. So, OP, your child's life is ruined before he started school.

This is a daycare

You don't know what you are talking about. This center and many others in the federal daycare network are NAEYC approved early childhood pre-schools. Not only do they offer an exceptional education, but exposure to the National Mall and all it has to offer, and children from many different socio-economic backgrounds--something that is sorely missed in many of the other pre-schools mentioned.

S EEC is a daycare. Preschools do not have infant care and are not 7-6 operations as S EEC is. It is a fine daycare and if that is what you want then great!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center, which takes the kids to museums every single day. They give preference to kids of Smithsonian employees, however. So, OP, your child's life is ruined before he started school.

This is a daycare

You don't know what you are talking about. This center and many others in the federal daycare network are NAEYC approved early childhood pre-schools. Not only do they offer an exceptional education, but exposure to the National Mall and all it has to offer, and children from many different socio-economic backgrounds--something that is sorely missed in many of the other pre-schools mentioned.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What are unparalleled friendship opportunities??

It means you get to be friends with and network with people who consider themselves to be without peer. In other words, avoid at all costs.

Unless your kid gets a coveted admission letter. Then slobber up to the front door (for parent events, that is. Only nannies drop off and pick up.)

Have you ever been to NCRC? There are plenty of moms and dads who drop off and pick up their kids. Perhaps your precious little one did not get a "coveted admissions letter?"

NP here. We did receive admission at NCRC and declined. But there's no need to denigrate the school as it's a good school and we really loved the admissions director. We love everything about the school we chose and haven't looked back. Lots of good schools out there. Go with your gut feeling and choose one where you find a sense of community and a teaching philosophy that resonates with you.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What are unparalleled friendship opportunities??

It means you get to be friends with and network with people who consider themselves to be without peer. In other words, avoid at all costs.

Unless your kid gets a coveted admission letter. Then slobber up to the front door (for parent events, that is. Only nannies drop off and pick up.)

Have you ever been to NCRC? There are plenty of moms and dads who drop off and pick up their kids. Perhaps your precious little one did not get a "coveted admissions letter?"

Anonymous wrote:NCRC is definitely the most elite pre-school.

According to whom?

I would say there are a number of top ones, and it really depends on what you think is the best fit. NCRC has a nice setting and used to be known for a director with good relations with all the privates. She's been gone for several years, though.

There are a handful of good schools with strong outplacement: Little Folks, St. Columba's, St. John's and NCRC as well as some of the temple schools like the Gan. In addition to a.m. classes, NCRC offers an afternoon class, which is not ideal for many preschoolers who are still napping. NCRC may be an advantage for a school like Sidwell as it seems that U.S. administration types seem to like those two schools. But if you are interested in Beauvoir or GDS, a school like Little Folks or St. Columbas may be a better fit. About half the graduating class of Little Folks goes to Beauvoir each year.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:country day school in mclean

I really dont get the fascination with Country Day Mclean. When we toured it, it seemed more like a day care than a preschool. It also felt pretty dirty and a lot of the toys/tables were from ikea. For the prices they charge, I would expect much more.

I really love this school. Their grounds are beautiful and the play areas are the best of any preschool in the area. They also are very much in to what is developmentally appropriate for children who are 2-5. Many schools are not. It is just a really wonderful place for children.

Could not agree more. The multiple playgrounds and focus on learning through play drew me to CDS. The school also offers many enrichment programs from yoga to dynamics of social play. The families and teachers are wonderful.

Many people send their children to NCR because they love the teachers. And many children go public after leaving NCRC.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What are unparalleled friendship opportunities??

It means you get to be friends with and network with people who consider themselves to be without peer. In other words, avoid at all costs.

Unless your kid gets a coveted admission letter. Then slobber up to the front door (for parent events, that is. Only nannies drop off and pick up.)

Anonymous wrote:What are unparalleled friendship opportunities??

It means you get to be friends with and network with people who consider themselves to be without peer. In other words, avoid at all costs.

NCRC is definitely the most elite pre-school.