Daycare/Preschools near Chantilly (Centreville, Manassas: lease, art, places)

[Moman1]

We are trying to do some research on daycares for our 16 month old. We are looking in the Chantilly/Centreville/Manassas area, particularly Chesterbrook Academy, Kindercare, Winwood, South Riding Children's Care and ABC Montessori. Does anyone have any information or experiences with any of these places?

Thanks,

[Moman1]

Bueller? Bueller?

[emarsh6719]

We were looking in this same general area are daycare/preschool for our kids but we didn't look specifically at any of these centers you mention other than Chesterbrook. Chesterbrook seemed like a great center and very clean and well organized. Kind of pricey, though, which is why we ruled it out as we have three kids and the rate times three was just too much for us. I had read some reviews about the turnover rate of the caregivers at Chesterbrook being high but I don't know any of that for a fact. Sorry I can't help more!

[Moman1]

Originally Posted by emarsh6719

We were looking in this same general area are daycare/preschool for our kids but we didn't look specifically at any of these centers you mention other than Chesterbrook. Chesterbrook seemed like a great center and very clean and well organized. Kind of pricey, though, which is why we ruled it out as we have three kids and the rate times three was just too much for us. I had read some reviews about the turnover rate of the caregivers at Chesterbrook being high but I don't know any of that for a fact. Sorry I can't help more!

Thanks for the info. I didn't know about the high turnover. I'm curious as to why this is. I do agree it is expensive. We only have one child, so it doesn't affect us as bad. I like the fact that it's more of a school first, daycare second mentality. The other daycares in the area are nothing more than well, daycares. Sure they are $300 cheaper than Chesterbrook. But, then I look at the fact that my son would get more of an education at an earlier stage for an extra $300 a month. So, is it worth the extra money? Will he really learn much more there at 18 months old than he would at a typical daycare? I don't know. That's why I'm asking around a little. I'm leaning more towards paying the money. I mean we are talking about pennies when compared to the return on the investment.

[z28lt1]

I don't have any experience with the ones you mentioned. We use the Goddard school in Chantilly, and have been very pleased. They also seemed to be a little pricey compared to the others, but also seemed to be more of a school than a daycare.

When we looked around most daycares had high turnover. Some defintiely had a little less than others, and some put a better spin on it than others, but at the end of the day, I think the industry in general has high turnover.

[Moman1]

Originally Posted by z28lt1

I don't have any experience with the ones you mentioned. We use the Goddard school in Chantilly, and have been very pleased. They also seemed to be a little pricey compared to the others, but also seemed to be more of a school than a daycare.

I actually just got off the phone with Goddard. I too was impressed with their setup and curriculum. However, as you said, they are pricey. They quoted me $1350 a month. That's $300 more than Chesterbrook and $600 more than standard daycares such as Kindercare.

I had never heard of Chesterbrook or Goddard before doing my research over the last month. They seem to be the best in the area for what they offer. I guess I just need to decide if the additional money is worth it. I feel guilty just saying that because my son's well being and education is priceless. That tells me I shouldn't worry about the price. I guess I'm just used to $520 a month which is what we pay now, and I have a small case of sticker shock.

[Betzim]

My son (age 2) has attended the KinderCare on Stone Rd. in Centreville for about a year. He LOVES it and so do I.

It is not as fancy and new as some other places, but what impresses me about it are the teachers and staff. They TRULY love the kids. They receive professional training and the Director (Dana) is great. There is very little turnover. Since I have been there, no teachers have left. The Two year old teacher has been there 14 years!!!

I couldn't feel more comfortable leaving him there everyday.

Also, I wouldn't be too taken in by Daycares that present themselves more like schools. All the recent studies are showing that academics before age 5 or so have really no long term advantage. In fact, researchers now think play is the most important at that age!

In any case, KinderCare has an award winning early childhood currriculum and, most importantly, the kids there seem very happy.

Good Luck!

[Moman1]

Originally Posted by Betzim

My son (age 2) has attended the KinderCare on Stone Rd. in Centreville for about a year. He LOVES it and so do I.

It is not as fancy and new as some other places, but what impresses me about it are the teachers and staff. They TRULY love the kids. They receive professional training and the Director (Dana) is great. There is very little turnover. Since I have been there, no teachers have left. The Two year old teacher has been there 14 years!!!

I couldn't feel more comfortable leaving him there everyday.

Also, I wouldn't be too taken in by Daycares that present themselves more like schools. All the recent studies are showing that academics before age 5 or so have really no long term advantage. In fact, researchers now think play is the most important at that age!

In any case, KinderCare has an award winning early childhood currriculum and, most importantly, the kids there seem very happy.

Good Luck!

Thank you for your response. I've been wrestling with this issue for a while now. I've also been trying to do research on the very issue you mention; "All the recent studies are showing that academics before age 5 or so have really no long term advantage." Although I have heard this many times, I have also heard the opposite. I've been trying to find research and data on this subject and can't find anything except people on forums. No offense intended. But, if I could just find some research that could convince me, it would make my decision a little easier. I am however, now leaning more towards a facility like Kindercare for the simple reason of price. They are less expensive and if a child can't really gain anything from an academy environment at 18 months or even 3 years of age, then we can save ourselves $250 or more a month.

Thanks again for your info.

Kevin