The caring love and patience they have shown my children will leave a lasting mark on their…read moreemotional and intellectual development. Their diverse, peaceful environment is a unique school that I cherish deeply!

We came to Potomac Crescent Waldorf School looking for something we couldn't quite name -- and…read morefound it immediately. As a bilingual family raising kids in Northern Virginia, we wanted an environment where learning would feel joyful and rooted. PCWS has delivered that and more. Our daughter genuinely looks forward to going to school every single day. Getting a kindergartener to bound out the door in the morning is its own kind of report card. The faculty and staff don't just tend to the children; they genuinely know each one. The nature-based learning and screen-free environment aligned perfectly with how we want our kids to experience childhood -- but what's kept us is the community. It's one of the most welcoming groups of families and educators we've encountered. If you're searching for a private school in Alexandria that takes the whole child seriously, this is it. One of the top schools in Alexandria for families who care about depth and heart.

I rarely write reviews, but I felt compelled to share how wonderful Elonda's Day Care is. Our…read morelittle boy started with daycare here when he was about 4 months old. Since then, Elonda and her staff have been like an extension of our family. Our son is excited to see them every day and has thrived under their care. It's stressful enough to be a new parent and leave your baby to go back to work. Elonda's staff made that transition easier because we knew he was in great hands. We are so grateful to them.

I am so grateful to have found Elonda's Day Care. The staff is so caring and my daughter truly…read moreenjoys her time there - she giggles and wiggles every time I drop her off. Elonda and the staff take time to have little projects and programs for the kids (paintings, spirit weeks, etc). And they use the Brightwheel app, loading tons of pictures and information to the app giving you peace of mind and access into your little one's day. A thoughtful, loving, and creative daycare - it's a true gem to have on the Hill/in Noma.

Our family was part of this school for two years, and in the beginning we truly felt at home. The…read moreteachers cared, our children were happy, and it felt like a community. Things changed after new leadership came in. The atmosphere shifted, communication became strained, and we started to feel pushed out. At one point our child's personal information was shared, which crossed a line for us. This used to be a warm and welcoming place that valued different backgrounds and perspectives. Sadly, that sense of inclusion is gone. I hope one day it becomes that kind of space again, but right now I wouldn't recommend it to families looking for a safe or supportive environment.

Outside, nature and play-based education - so the kids are having fun and don't even realize…read morethey're learning. My 5yo and 3yo are both thriving. It's a great community for children (and their parents too, let's be honest), and we are so glad every day that we found this hidden gem of a preschool.

Faith Lutheran Preschool is an absolutely wonderful program in every way. We're in our fifth year…read morethere, with our third (and last) child in the three year old program as a member of the "Caterpillar" class this fall (just like his two older brothers, now 5 and 7, did before him). He loves it and asks if he can go every day. Just like his older brothers did as students there. It's important to note that our children are all very different from each other--in almost every respect--and FLP has been perfect for each one. It's a warm, bright, magical place, with bright open classrooms, excellent teachers, happy students, and innovative programs (including science, art, yoga, music, and a full outdoor classroom for hands on nature exploration). The teachers and staff are incredible, and go above and beyond to truly get to know their students and embrace them all as unique individuals and as valued members of their class. They meet the students where they are and work with them to get where they need and want to be. And it works extremely well. My two graduates still talk about their teachers and the things they did there. They clearly loved it. Neither wanted to leave. But both were extremely well prepared and fully ready to move on and thrive in kindergarten and beyond. If you're looking for a half-day preschool in Arlington, this is a fantastic choice.

Truly a special place for a child to start their schooling!…read more Both my children spent 2 years here and I am so grateful for their experiences. The teachers are so caring and most have been at the school for many years. Communications are strong -with nearly daily emails and picture postings of what the children are doing to spark conversation with your little ones. Their learning methods focus the children to explore their environments (with an outdoor playground and classroom) and learn to play with others. Also, i believe they handled COVID amazingly well - except on super rainy days and when it got freezing, they spent most of the days outside painting, playing, gardening,etc. when my older child was learning at home, my daughter was able to interact safely with kids.

We've been at Childtime for about two years; both my daughter and son have been here since they…read morewere about a year old. I continue to be thrilled that we found Childtime Alexandria during our long child care search: it is a gem. We have appreciated all of the staff efforts to make us feel welcome and the kids to feel secure and loved. Literally every day, my kids come home sharing new words and songs with us. It is remarkable how much they have absorbed from teachers leading storytime and structured lessons, including animals, colors, how to write their names, and the alphabet. The teachers have been our partners in potty training and teaching table manners. Every morning is such a pleasant experience; families greet each other, and my children give their teachers a hug. I highly recommend if you are looking for an alternative to the more well-known child care centers in the Alexandria area; this is a fantastic value and will set your kids on the right path.

My boys attend Childtime through drop in care and they love it. I love the convenience of being…read moreable to have the flex option to drop in as needed. It has helped on the days when school is closed. They also have an awesome Summer Camp program.

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.

This review is based on a tour. I met with Carolina this morning, who was very nice and…read moreprofessional. My bottom line is that they are doing the best with what they have. It's a small space without natural light, but it does feel bright. It's clean and the children seem happy and well cared for. We are likely not pursuing a spot for two main reasons: the lack of natural light and the lack of a dedicated playground, or playground nearby. We feel strongly that we want our daughter to have outdoor education incorporated into her day, and I wasn't thrilled with the idea that she would have to walk on busy DC streets to get to a park without playground equipment meant for her age. In short, I think it seems like a perfectly nice place, but I don't think it's the right fit for us.

We are very Happy with our son's first Kindergarten! In a…read morecaring and professional atmosphere, our son loved going there and felt at home form the first day! The facilities are new, clean and very welcoming. Mrs. Mattingly and her staff made sure all our needs are met and questions answered. Highly recommended!

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.

So much love for the Family Academy. Our son attended here for years, starting from the time he was…read more6 months old. Each classroom was led by caring, creative teachers. Under the center's care, my son truly blossomed. Well before we expected, he was singing songs to us, identifying letters, counting, and more. And most indicative of this center's awesomeness--my son was always so happy to go to school. It also meant a lot to me that the staff and teachers made genuine, impactful efforts to include our family's culture alongside mainstream culture, for example welcoming us to send in books about our holidays, directly engage the class in activities, and share ideas for the teachers to use. Would recommend Family Academy to anyone!!