Preschools in Rockville (Germantown, Frederick, Gaithersburg: co-ops, day care, find a job)

[Anika1]

This forum has been very helpful in getting a lot of info about the area.

Can someone recommend good preschools in Rockville, Gaithersburg Potomac areas?

Thanks in advance.

[claremarie]

I live in northern Virginia, and don't have specific information on preschools in Maryland, but if you are looking for traditional preschools (2-3 hours a day, several days a week) rather than full-time day care centers, you should be aware that many such preschools in this area fill up extremely fast, and you need to get your name in RIGHT NOW for September classes. Many schools are located in churches or synagogues, and give priority to church members, returning students, and siblings, leaving relatively few openings for newcomers to the area.
You might consider calling the elementary school(s) in your area, and asking the office staff or kindergarten teacher to give you the names of some schools that their students have attended.

[Anika1]

Originally Posted by claremarie

I live in northern Virginia, and don't have specific information on preschools in Maryland, but if you are looking for traditional preschools (2-3 hours a day, several days a week) rather than full-time day care centers, you should be aware that many such preschools in this area fill up extremely fast, and you need to get your name in RIGHT NOW for September classes. Many schools are located in churches or synagogues, and give priority to church members, returning students, and siblings, leaving relatively few openings for newcomers to the area.
You might consider calling the elementary school(s) in your area, and asking the office staff or kindergarten teacher to give you the names of some schools that their students have attended.

I see there are all the chain day care centers in the area (kindercare etc). I am leaning towards Montessori schools where hopefully my kid will get individual attention.
I hope they have openings *crossing my fingers*

Calling the elementary schools is a great idea! Thanks.

[eriwar]

Gaithersburg Presbyterian off route 355 fredrick ave across the street from walnut shopping center trust me you cant go wrong.

[scooterdog]

If you want to look at top Montessori schools, a good one is the Franklin Montessori on Darnestown Road (Rt. 28). It is relatively expensive, though.

The Gaithersburg Presbyterian preschool is highly regarded and worth checking out.

[Anika1]

We are on single income right now. Franklin Montessori is a bit too expensive for us till I find a job.

We finally made it here! WOW! A lot more traffic than North East (never thought I would say that!) but the trade off is there is a lot more to do.

I started looking into preschools right away. My little one is super stressed out after the move! I think getting her into a good school will help a lot.

Gaithersburg Presbyterian does not have any openings right now.

Any other preschool suggestions around Rockville, Potomac, Gaithersburg, Germantown areas?

[kmhbt]

Epworth Preschool in Gaithersburg is very highly rated and I can say a wonderful school (301) 977- 3421.

Faith Methodist is Rockville has a very nuturing environment and an impressive academic program.

The Community Center on Frederick Road in Gaithersburg also offers preschool but I can't say how good it is.

To be honest, most preschools just completed their registration last month so it may be a good idea to get on a few waiting lists QUICKLY. This is a transiant area so there would probably be a good chance of you getting in from a wait list.

[dancingmommy]

Rockville Community Nursery School in Rockville is wonderful, if you (or your spouse, mom, etc) have the schedule flexibility to volunteer in your child's classroom a couple times a month. It's a cooperative preschool, so they are all about welcoming parents into all aspects of the school. Very small classes, lots of loving individual attention, play-based with a really great curriculum that emphasizes all kinds of developmental areas in incredibly specific ways. My children both loved it there, adore the teachers and the other children, and I love knowing the teachers and other parents so well. www.RCNScoop.org and they're on facebook www.facebook.com/RCNScoop Co-ops are much less expensive than other kinds of preschools, definitely waaaaay less than Montessori.