I usually do not provide online reviews for anything, but since it is something that involves our…read morechildren, I've decided to write this post. HPS is a lovely school and our son was happy there. Unfortunately, the school ended up leaving us with a very bad impression. We initially enrolled him two days per week, half time. When we enrolled, they told us that if he was happy, we could move from two to three days and eventually to full time three or five days. One month in, when we saw how happy he was, we moved him from two days half time to three days half time. It went great. One month later, we wanted to move him full time three days a week. Then the problems began. The school manager gave us conflicting and sometimes false excuses for refusing our request. Finally, after we insisted about half a dozen times she summoned us to her office. In essence, she said that if we wanted to have our son spend more time in the school we would need to hire an occupational therapist to spend all day with him at school. Our son has a speech delay (started speaking at three) and he does not follow instructions or adjust to routines as easily as fully verbal three year olds. HPS ended up using the challenges associated with his spech delay to demand that we basically hire another teacher exclusively for our son. We found this request innapropriate. I have doubts as to whether it is even legal. All told, they simply did not want our son there and were unwilling to work with us to navigate his speech delay and related challenges. This is all very sad to us. We have now enrolled him at another school, five days a week, full time. Many people are very happy at HPS and they may never encounter any similar issues. I just want to leave this review out there for parents to carefully consider HPS before enrolling, especially if you are thinking of increasing throughout the year the number of days your child is there or if your child has a speech delay or any other developmental delay.

We could not be happier with the care given to my child at The Hill Preschool as it far exceeded…read moreany expectations I had. The teachers and administrators are all loving, attentive, and passionate about the care and education of young children. This passion is apparent with the significant high level of engagement every single day. The Hill Preschool is a positive and enriching environment for children, and my child is healthy and happy every single day, gaining confidence and knowledge that has set a foundation for the rest of his life. The teachers are selfless, kind, and dedicated. The facility is clean and full of enriching activities. The teachers are also great at communicating with parents daily both in person and online with a portal that outlines the activities for the week and pictures so you can keep up with what your little ones are doing. Not only do I feel comfort in knowing my child is cared for and safe, I also know my child is receiving a holistic approach to early childhood education. The children have routine and stay active, and the teachers build a curriculum for the children where they learn about their community, art, science, architecture, biology, music, and more. The teachers take the children on several field trips that coincide with their curriculum visiting the Botanic Gardens, the Natural History Museum, National Gallery of Art, and local businesses to enhance what they are learning every day. I could not recommend the Hill Preschool enough, and I only wish I had found it sooner.

The world of daycares is daunting, Phase provided a bright light at the end of my search…read more Having a child during a pandemic and finally deciding to send her to a daycare meant that I had to be sure she would be safe, that Covid protocols would be in place and that the staff would be considerate as she integrated outside our bubble. Phase is one of the few daycares that offers: Part time full day program Meals included (with no additional cost) And a dedicated outdoor playground. The price point is also great in comparison to other competitors in the area. The Capital Turnaround building itself is gorgeous, the classrooms are spacious. There is also a STEM/Digital playroom and a soft play room with part of a trolley and pneumatic tubes and balls inside the building. There is a dedicated parking lot across the street and there is usually a spot out front. Beginning Oct. 1st they will be open until 5:30pm which will be great!!! The teachers and administration are loving, caring and the children know all the teachers and greet them all. The food looks delicious and there is a wide variety of menu items which I appreciate because introducing new foods can be quite a struggle, as all parents know. I've sent my daughter with "nice clothes" and even jewelry and everything is always returned home. Ml So now for the cons, as mentioned by the previous poster, there are some communication issues, let me clarify. The communication issues, have ranged from not being notified that my child needed more diapers until the morning of school, not getting update/activity pictures until the end of the day (a working parent's tragedy) and not receiving accurate eating updates. All of which I attribute to the staff being too preoccupied with attending and caring for the children to update the app and that is understandable. None of the communication issues were detrimental or health or safety related. The administration was also apologetic and proactive about implementing better communication once the issues were raised. As a new business that is really all I ask for and all I think any reasonable person can ask for. My daughter's speech delay has improved and if she is having a bad morning mentioning her teacher's names and the administration staff's names gets her motivated quickly. Ultimately every child is different as is every family, but I am thankful that we found such a wonderful school, with a beautiful facility and loving and caring staff. If you'd like to know more or need a referral feel free to message me.

As a former employee of Phase Family Learning Center, I had a wonderful experience!!! I had a great…read morerelationship with my co-workers. The support from the administration was open and available whenever I needed! Communication between parents and staff was constant as we documented and reported everything via the ProCare system. I would return to work at Phase anytime, if I could! The job culture is amazing!! Students are happy, thriving, and always well cared for! The food for the children is well prepared, tasty and nutritious! I loved my job!!

TOTH is an amazing Montessori style facility. The teachers are caring, warm, knowledgeable and…read morefriendly. Most of the teachers have been there for years and they do a great job at retaining teachers year over year. My daughter absolutely loves the teachers and runs into the classroom when we drop her off. She talks about the teachers and friends at home often. My daughter's vocabulary, speaking ability, social interactions have improved so much since she joined TOTH. They also help with potty training from day 1 and at 2.5 my daughter is potty-trained and almost entirely independent with the bathroom. They also did an awesome job at navigating COVID and had minimal classroom closures and no major outbreaks in her classroom. TOTH also has an attached playground and they prioritize spending time outdoors, which my daughter loves. They go on long walks and do not use any carriers which is awesome because we can now go on short hikes or museums without a stroller. We couldn't ask for a better learning facility, TOTH is her home away from home.

We've sent two of our kids to TOTH and look forward to sending the third in a couple years. The…read moreteachers are extraordinary -- they truly embrace each child for who they are. Each of our (very different) kids has thrived at the school and felt totally loved and seen. The chill Montessori vibes have been good for our parenting and for our whole family. TOTH has given our kids a great foundation of self-confidence, independence, and love of learning to carry with them as they transition into DC schools.

In our home, we often say that Yudith was a gift that fell from the sky. We used to travel quite…read morefar every day to a pretty good daycare to ensure our daughter was in safe hands. Then one day, by chance, I met Yudith at a park. We talked, and she invited me to visit her daycare, which happened to be close to where we live. When we walked in, we couldn't believe how beautiful, clean, and organized everything was. And on top of that, she seemed so honest and kind. Today, a year later, we can confidently say that Yudith isn't just as wonderful as she appeared--she's truly an incredible woman. My daughter adores her like an aunt, and Yudith has taught her so much! This month, our daughter started Pre-K and is well ahead for her age, thanks to her time with Yudith. Yudith follows the Montessori method, encouraging freedom of expression, fun, and friendship, while also maintaining a solid routine and impeccable transparency. It's a small daycare with only a few children, so the attention is highly personalized. You always know how your child is doing, what they're learning, how they're living--whether it's how they sleep, eat, or play. If you love your children dearly and can enroll them in this daycare, do it! It's a gift that will last them a lifetime. Yudith has been a blessing not only for my daughter but for our entire family. She has so much experience, is transparent, kind, and responsible. I can't emphasize enough how important these qualities are. She's organized and dedicated--we couldn't have been luckier. Our daughter was in the best hands we could have ever imagined. Oh, and the daycare is bilingual! The price is very reasonable, and we don't have a single complaint.

Yudy's place is exceptional. I'm so glad that I was able to send my son here. the place is very…read moreclean and Ms. Yudy always has thoughtful activities for the kids (painting, learning colors, letters, numbers, practicing writing, outdoor play, storytime, NO screentime). The best part is Ms. Yudy herself. she truly loves the kids like they're her own. when my child had to miss due to being sick, she always checked in on him. I can't recommend her enough.

We have been at Kiddie (now University for Kids) since our oldest kid was very young. We started at…read morethe H street location and moved to the F street location when our oldest moved to the preschool class. Our youngest started in the baby room at the F street location. Overall, we've been happy with our experience at both locations. The teachers clearly love the kids, and my daughters have always been happy to go and happy when we pick them up. And importantly, we feel that our kids are safe. Kiddie isn't as fancy as some other daycares, but my girls have still flourished; in particular, my very shy oldest kid really thrived and developed socially and emotionally while also learning other things like her ABCs. They were fantastic during COVID. Even when shut down at the beginning, they set twice daily zooms to give weary parents even a brief break, and they remained open for kids of essential workers. They reopened for everyone far earlier the most daycares, and have been careful but also less strict than many (kids must be 24 hours fever free, can't have more than one symptom, but they won't send you home with a runny nose, so we've actually had child care). And while they follow OPM, they have also reopened when possible if OPM makes a judgement call about inclement weather but then snow doesn't materialize. The communication from the location director could be better and isn't always the most professional, but it is improving. and April who oversees all of the Kiddie locations has been very responsive when we need help resolving billing issues and issues related to reimbursement for dependent care.

My daughter started earlier in the year the Capitol Hill location and from Day 1, it was a…read morewonderful experience. The environment is both living and educational. The focus on self reliance for the children is great, making them well prepared for entering school. The added bonus of an additional language being learned in the classroom is amazing! The staff knows each child and cares for them individually and treats them as little individuals with feelings. That has made me feel so comfortable and confident as I leave my child each day for work. I know she's well taken care of. We have truly enjoyed our time and look forward to rounding our year before school starts in the Fall.

-Caring, attentive, engaged teachers. My daughter loves all her teachers and she is so happy every…read moretime I pick her up! She thrives here. She gets all of the love and attention she needs and also gets the opportunity to safely explore. -Clean, organized, colorful facility with tons of fun toys. My daughter loves story time and we love the variety of books and learning materials. -Amazing communication from the entire school from teachers all the way to the director. Overall, we couldn't be more confident and comforted in our choice to send our daughter to Goddard at the Wharf.

With so many options for childcare in the area, I'm not sure why anyone pays the maximum price at…read moreGoddard, especially since you get so little in return. We had our baby there for about 6 months, they never followed the COVID procedures they committed to which resulted in three closures for a total of almost 6 weeks during that time. The communication was terrible - we never knew what was going on in class, who the teachers were, or why teacher after teacher and assistant director after assistant director were there one day and gone the next. The activities in the fancy lesson plans they send you weren't followed (for example, they almost never went outside), the teachers were unhappy, and I've never witnessed a manager yell at their staff like I did at drop off at Goddard. It got to the point that we couldn't trust what anyone was saying about our kiddos care and we left at that point. As first time parents we didn't know that 6 months of our kid being miserable at drop off wasn't normal, we feel really lucky that we left Goddard and are settled at a place where drop off and pick up are an ease, communication is regular, and the teachers love our kiddo.

We couldn't be happier with the program overall!…read more We have three kids: one has graduated out of Family Academy, and two are still attending. We started our oldest at home with a nanny, but moved him to Family Academy when he was three. We started our second at Family Academy then, too (he was 10m). Our third baby started at Family Academy when he was 5m. So between them, we have worked through all of the classrooms. We have been thrilled with Family Academy and, even though our nanny was fantastic, I don't doubt for a second that our boys (and us parents) were better off with them in the program. The teachers at Family Academy are incredibly nurturing, patient, and communicative, and the student body itself has been great and diverse, too. The teachers helped us navigate many issues, as first time parents, in a way that was child-first and also encouraging for us. This spanned everything from wondering if our kids were hitting speech milestones, to navigating potty training woes, and inevitable illnesses. We've found Ms. Rima and all the teachers to be great allies, understanding, and helpful. The boys are also constantly doing arts and crafts (even when we would've thought they were otherwise too young) and the Montessori classroom has been wonderful, too. No doubt our oldest was beyond kindergarten ready when the time came! I really only have one less than perfect score to give and, even then, it has been absolutely fine. I don't love that there's no field or big open area. I used to worry that our boys would feel cooped up. But I've seen over the years that they're all perfectly happy and fine with the schoolyard set up. So this was me worrying about something, but it hasn't been a problem. 10/10 I recommend Family Academy to everyone in our orbit!

I give my highest and most heartfelt recommendation to the Family Academy of Bethesda. My son has…read morebeen here since he was just three months old and stayed until almost three years old, when unfortunately we had to move away due to work relocation. If it weren't for that, we would have loved for him to stay here as long as possible. It's hard to put into words how incredible this place has been for our family. From the days when he could barely lift his head, to learning to walk, talk, sing, and share stories about his day, we've watched him grow into a happy, curious, and confident little boy--all thanks to the loving care and nurturing environment of Family Academy. He not only learned language and knowledge, but also good manners and a true love of learning.The teachers are absolutely amazing--kind, patient, and so easy to communicate with. My son is a slow and picky eater, yet they always gave him extra time and gentle encouragement. They care for each child as if they were their own. The administration team is just as wonderful; they know every child by name and engage with them warmly every single day.What makes Family Academy so special is not only the quality of education but the genuine love and attention they give to every child. The environment encourages exploration, creativity, and curiosity about everything in the world. I could see every day how happy my son was here.I am deeply grateful for everything the Family Academy has given to our son and to our family. This school is truly a treasure in the community, and I would recommend it wholeheartedly to any parent.

It is hard to put into words just how much The Britleys School means to me and my family, and how…read moregrateful I am for the love, care, and guidance they have provided my children. First and foremost, the teachers and staff are absolutely exceptional. My son was born with a complex medical condition that resulted in some challenges during the first year of his life, and I was very intentional about finding a childcare provider that could provide him with the level of personal attention, care, and understanding I was seeking. My concerns were quelled after my very first tour of The Britleys with Ms. Britney. After touring several other childcare centers in the area, it was immediately clear that The Britleys was in a class of its own. My son began at age one and just "graduated" at age five, while my daughter started at five months and attended until she was two. Throughout our years at The Britleys, there was very little teacher turnover, which allowed my children to develop deep and lasting bonds with their teachers. These teachers were not simply childcare providers, they became like family and played an integral role in my children's formative years. They took the time to truly know each of my children as individuals. They recognized their strengths, noticed the areas where they needed additional support, and worked alongside us to help them grow into confident, capable, and kind little people. As a parent, there is no greater gift than knowing that when you drop your children off each morning, they are not only safe, but genuinely loved and cared for. Second, the quality and breadth of the curriculum at The Britleys is truly unparalleled for this age group. My children have been exposed to an incredible range of subjects and experiences, and I have watched them develop a level of curiosity, knowledge, and confidence that is remarkable for their ages. Spanish and Mandarin are not simply occasional "special classes," instead language learning is thoughtfully integrated into their everyday activities and routines. They have weekly music and movement classes, art, and outdoor education, along with daily opportunities to get outside and explore the world around them. They take daily walks throughout the city to museums, parks, libraries, splash pads, and even the cherry blossoms during peak bloom. I also love the emphasis on practical life skills including learning to fold clothes, clean, cook, and participate in activities that teach them independence and responsibility in ways that feel natural and fun. My children have genuinely enjoyed all of it, and as a parent, I have absolutely reaped the benefits at home :) It has been so rewarding to watch them come home excited to tell me what they learned, try something new on their own, or proudly show me a skill they practiced at school. Lastly, what makes The Britleys so special is that they understand that educating a child is about so much more than academics. They focus on developing the whole child. From etiquette and cultural education to brain health, character formation, kindness, and emotional regulation, the children are taught how to navigate the world with confidence, compassion, and respect. They celebrate different cultures and holidays and help children develop an appreciation for the world and people around them. Most importantly, the focus is not simply on raising children who are academically prepared, but on helping shape responsible, thoughtful, kind human beings. That emphasis has meant so much to our family and is something I will always be grateful for. I wholeheartedly recommend The Britleys School and am so thankful for everything they have done for my children and our family. Leaving The Britleys after so many wonderful years was incredibly bittersweet. I know how fortunate we have been to have our children cared for by people who truly know them, believe in them, and love them. The foundation they have helped build in my children will stay with them long after they leave the school, and I will forever be grateful to The Britleys for being such an important part of their early years.

I can't say enough great things about Britley's. Our two sons have gone there for the past couple…read moreof years and have flourished there -- one is now a graduate! Here are a few things I would highlight if you are thinking about sending your kids there: * The management (Ms. B) there is incredible - smart, thoughtful and inspiring. We got so much great feedback on how our kids are doing, insightful advice from her about parenting challenges, and ideas for things to try at home. * The teachers are really great too - they clearly love what they do, are wonderful with the kids, and set a great standard/example. * The curriculum is really lovely - it's almost hilarious how much they expose the kids to in the spirit of discovery. * But what I love most is the spirit they cultivate in the kids. It's not religious at all, but focused on universal values of kindness, joy, beauty, appreciation of nature and respect. It has really been a lovely thing to see our kids internalize! The only thing I don't love about the school is the pickup/dropoff situation in the very congested Wharf. This was stressful at the outset but you do get used to it. And the neighborhood is lovely - the kids get to go see some really cool things! Nobody asked me to write this review - I have just really appreciated this school and as a parent, reading this review would have helped me make a great decision!

Leaving Kiddie Academy of Alexandria is so bittersweet for our family. Both of our children have…read morebeen here since they were just 12 weeks old, and watching them grow up in such a loving environment has been a beautiful experience. It's the kind of place where everyone knows your kids, greets them with a smile, and treats them like family. We are so sad to say goodbye. The wonderful teachers will always have a special place in my heart, and I cannot recommend this daycare enough to any parent looking for a safe, loving place for their little ones. They really are the best.

I enrolled my daughter at this location with high expectations for a safe, nurturing, attentive,…read moreand structured learning environment. Unfortunately, my experience over time raised several concerns that ultimately led to me seeing the truth about this location. One of my primary concerns was basic hygiene and attentiveness. On multiple occasions, I picked my daughter up with visible food residue still on her face. I also observed dried nasal discharge on her face and even on the back of her hand, as if she had attempted to clean herself. I began noticing similar issues with other children as well, including children walking around with excessively runny noses for extended periods without staff intervention. I'm sure this is why the kids are always sick. In addition, there appeared to be a lack of situational awareness when it came to children's comfort and supervision. There were times where clothing did not seem appropriate for the weather, which further reflected a lack of attentiveness to individual needs. They would take the children outside without coats while it's cold. More concerning were multiple safety incidents involving my daughter that were handled in an extremely dismissive manner. One incident I personally witnessed on camera involved another child pushing my daughter three times back-to-back until she fell to the ground, while a teacher stood directly beside them without intervening. Later that same day, I noticed a bruise on my daughter's leg. When I reported this to the director, Erin, I was told the video showed my daughter "falling into the teacher's lap," which did not align with what I personally observed on camera. I was also informed that no incident report would be completed because the injury was not from the neck up. Another incident involved my daughter being struck in the head with a toy by another child, leaving her with a swollen bruise and lump that was black, blue, and purple. At pickup, staff appeared very nonchalant about the situation, simply stating that they "put ice on it" and that these things were "normal." While discussing this incident with staff, another child nearby was actively biting another child while staff stood around without immediately intervening. When I pointed this out, the response I received was dismissive instead of reassuring. I also observed what appeared to be inconsistent treatment and favoritism within the center. When I inquired about my daughter transitioning to the next classroom as she approached the appropriate age, I was told it would not be possible because of lack of space and something regarding the way they pick who goes to the next class. However, I personally observed the director's granddaughter transition out of the same classroom within approximately 2-3 weeks. She doesn't talk, isn't potty trained and is only two months older than my daughter. Her mom confirmed these things to me personally. This raised concerns for me regarding whether policies and opportunities were being applied equally to all families. In addition to these concerns, I often was dismissed when attempting to advocate for my child. Erin's communication style frequently came across as condescending, defensive, racist and lacking empathy whenever concerns were raised. Rather than feeling supported as a parent, I often left interactions feeling unheard and uncomfortable. I also recorded my second raised concern that I had with Erin. So if anyone wants proof on the way she handles things, I will send you the video! There were also instances where staff appeared more focused on phones and side conversations than actively engaging with the children. The environment is more like passive babysitting than a structured educational setting focused on child development and attentive care. My daughter went from talking and being expressive to crying and whining all the time. When I asked to speak to the owner Erin continuously lied and made excuses. For $525 per week (approximately $2,100 per month), parents should be able to expect attentive supervision, professionalism, cleanliness, accountability, and equitable treatment. Unfortunately, that was not my experience. Also the front desk worker Suzie as well is extremely disrespectful. I just left the school so upset that this is the way they handle people who pay their hard earned money. Erin is a liar as well. She claimed I was rude and used profanity when my child was hit on by another child. Which is a lie! Watch the cameras for one full day while your child is there and I PROMISE YOU WILL NOT WANT YOUR CHILD ATTENDING THIS EXPENSIVE BABY SITTER! UPDATE: Notice every response is signed "Karim B. (Owner) mine is "Center Administration and Compliance Team". Erin is in fact a big part of the problem. Parents can draw their own conclusions regarding how concerns are handled when serious safety and supervision issues are raised.

My wife and I love the FAA/DOT Child Development Center. We have two boys enrolled in the center…read more The day care center operates as a non-profit and you can tell all the teachers love their students. When we asked our oldest son who he wanted to invite to his birthday party he named all his teachers before naming any of his friends from school or the local play ground. The day care hours are from 7:15-5:45 and they serve infants through pre-K. The day care center is located across st from L'Enfant Plaza metro.

We have been at this daycare for a little over a year. The teachers are warm and engaging. The…read morespace is clean and well organized with toys, books, sensory tables and music. They have two large covered playgrounds and even take class trips to the Smithsonian museums. The director is always around and actively participates with each of the kids. We consider ourselves very lucky to have found this daycare.