Oh my goodness. I thought this would be a great post to read and it turned out to be a mud-slinging match of parents who take negative opinions about their choice of preschools personally. By all means, be free to disagree with those negative opinions of your preschool choice, but don't get angry at the poster for expressing her negative opinion. I come to this forum to learn about different opinions through which I will ultimately form my own. Why the need to get irritated if someone doesn't like the school you chose? Don't they have a right to dislike certain schools?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NAEYC accreditation is a good benchmark for the quality of a school. I started with that, did some tours, got a better idea of what I was looking for in a school, and then picked one on my gut feeling on what would be best for my child. Sadly we were waitlisted, but ten got in the very last minute... we have been very pleased with the selection and I cannot imagine her anywhere else.

The school is neither Little Folks or St Johns (which are elite, but not accredited) - I am just not the Georgetown type.

I'm new to the area and looking for a preschool -- what source did you use to search for NAEYC accredited schools?

www.naeyc.org

Anonymous wrote:NAEYC accreditation is a good benchmark for the quality of a school. I started with that, did some tours, got a better idea of what I was looking for in a school, and then picked one on my gut feeling on what would be best for my child. Sadly we were waitlisted, but ten got in the very last minute... we have been very pleased with the selection and I cannot imagine her anywhere else.

The school is neither Little Folks or St Johns (which are elite, but not accredited) - I am just not the Georgetown type.

I'm new to the area and looking for a preschool -- what source did you use to search for NAEYC accredited schools?

Anonymous wrote:I'm surprised that The River School was on this list. I've never heard of any child being rejected from that school. It has basement classrooms and it's exmissions are HORRIBLE.

As an awestruck River School parent, I can say this is a patent lie and I don't understand the rationale for anyone wanting to spread such a vicious rumor. Their exmissions is phenomenal (I think that all 10 kids from their last 3 grade class got their first pick), I know with certainty that due to space constraints (though it's larger than many of the preschools in the area) they are not able to offer admission to a lot of applicants, and as for the classrooms... yes, maybe the facilities aren't the best in the world but they make up for that in teacher creativity and excitement, educational level, commitment to curriculum and teacher-student ratios. A small percentage of the classrooms are in "the basement" but they are so bright and beautifully decorated you'd never know. And as far as this "play based" vs. "educational" discussion, I don't think some people really understand the words that are being thrown around- the key is learning THROUGH play. At River School, it might feel to the kids like they are just playing (that's what my son tells me), but it's all a well-crafted lesson plan designed to teach certain specific things. I can't believe these teachers come up with all these different creative ideas every day. It amazes me. I don't know where it falls in terms of "eliteness" in DC, but I can't imagine a better program... ever. What they are doing is so unique it's getting national attention and I feel lucky every day to be a part of it.

As mellow parents who wanted a warm atmosphere that encourages our child's curiosity and creativity, we were delighted to find Little Folks--and somewhat surprised to learn, later, that it was considered a "feeder" school. I feel sad to hear it called a "glorified playgroup" only because we think the teachers are so hardworking, thoughtful and caring--clearly their work is informed by a deep knowledge of child development, but it is not perhaps obviously so. In any event, let's accept the idea that every school is not the "best" for everyone!

I am 23:18 here, and thanks to everyone defending me against those super-harsh McCain attacks! I am so deeply offended by that...but seriously, I have been compared to worse, so I will take it.

We are awash in this area with wonderful schools, great teachers, bright parents, lovely facilities. It is truly an embarrassment of riches. I have friends in parts of this country who would give their eye teeth for the half of the choices we have. But this idea of top schools is all bunk. I will admit there are schools that are not so hot, but largely, they all do a nice job. Kids with ADD, maybe not so much with Montessori. Kids with shyness can THRIVE in montessori. Some kids learn to read early. Some don't. I am certainly not worried about it. A bigger predictor of how well your kid will do it life is how genuinely you pay attention to them. These schools are only as good as the effort paid from your end...and that remains true for the next 14 years. Yes, the kid should be taking more responsibility as they older, but YOUR involvement is what makes a kid great, not the school or the curriculum or the philosophy or any of it. It is like the peanuts teacher if you are not emotionally connected to your kid.

So GUYS, let's chill, support one another's decisions, and do the best we can! Now, where is my Joe the Plumber shirt.

Since you are open to non-Montessori programs, I encourage you to look for a Reggio-Emilia based program. This is quite well known in Europe and taking root in the U.S. more frequently. Recently, Google adopted this method for their own inhouse school. I operate a new daycare/pre-k program in Chevy Chase called Chevy Chase Reggio (www.chevychasereggio.com) and would be happy to fill you in more about this approach which is tailored almost entirely for children six years and younger.

thank goodness you pointed that out to us. 'We guys' really appreciate it. Good luck with your low-threshold rules for life.

...hey, weren't you at the McCain rally last week?