When I lived in Bethesda when my son was 3 years old, I toured Harbor School along with 40 other…read moreBethesda area schools (that's not a typo, actually 40), and Harbor school was my favorite of the 40 for early childhood education. I have 17 years of experience as a recruiter (mainly Microsoft, now Nike) and am honed in evaluating talent -- with schools, checking everything out, the student art on the walls, how the kids look, how the teachers interact with the children, how the environment feels, all of it. Harbor School is a special place in that the teachers are really exceptional -- exceptional care for the students, expertise, there's a healthy genuine feel to the school, the students look good. It's not a fancy hyper modern place, but note that it also doesn't come with a fancy hyper modern 40k tuition price tag. The school is real, and I think a gem. Sadly for us, we moved too far away from it, in Middleburg VA now. Our 6 year old is a bit school avoiding and so I recently called up Harbor School, where our dear friends with a 6yr old and 3 yr old attend, and I asked Andrea if she would be willing to tour me and my son again, let him be in the classroom of his best friend, let him see how his younger friend, the 3 year old, is also in school. She was gracious in allowing it, I spent a beautiful 15 minutes in the pre-k class, 2 students productive and engaged at each station. The 2 teachers were lovely, on the ball, inclusive to my son, it was just a wonderful visit. One of the teachers with 27 years of experience at the school. We got to see the art room, music room, the maker room with loads of hands-on crafts, and we spent 15 minutes outside at the playground in the back -- lovely space. You could pay more for a school, and help fund facilities that go with it, but common sense would advise checking out this lovely school that has keen focus on what matters most: recruitment of wonderful staff. I also valued the small teacher to student ratio I saw, which set the whole thing up for success. In terms of kindness/sensitivity/expert knowledge at the younger years, I'm definitely impressed with Harbor School. End of day, I think a young child benefits most from being surrounded by excellent compassionate teachers vs a shiny perfect gym that some schools with higher tuition offer. Apparently Harbor School is moving in a year, but I think this is a school that would be worth chasing after wherever nearby they relocate to. Being at Harbor School again yesterday I literally contemplated could we reasonably do the drive from Middleburg...sigh. But for Bethesda area parents you're in a lucky situation feels like to me, wherever they move, because they are taking their teachers and philosophy and humane student:teacher ratio with them.

A wonderful, caring school. It's a great foundation for young learners. The teachers are very…read moreexperienced, caring and kind. Students are embraced. Each child gets a lot of individual attention. They feel accepted and comfortable, so they truly learn and form meaningful relationships. The student-teacher ratio is amazing and makes such a big difference. They are up to date on growth mindset, mindfulness, hands on learning, flexible classroom space and sitting options, inquiry based learning, use of technology, etc. It's a traditional school with an innovative learning program. It has structure, but it is personalized and flexible to accomodate each student. We are in our final year at the Harbor School and very sad to be leaving this wonderful place.

My daughter started Black Rock a month shy of 2 years old. As a first-time mom, I was nervous for…read morethe transition of her going from a lax sitter to a structured daycare/preschool. The staff worked with us to help transition her into their programs and helped A LOT with potty training. Now at 5, and off to Kindergarten, our daughter has learned so much from her friends and teachers. All the kids have grown to be very close and just love each so much. Black Rock is a health conscious, play-centered learning environment. The directors go above and beyond to stay informed and up to date on the latest learning styles and resources for young children. I highly recommend this place!!

My daughter has been attending Black Rock Learning Center for a little over 8 months and I couldn't…read morebe more pleased with this school. My daughter is thriving both academically and socially and I feel she is very prepared for going to Kindergarten in the Fall. My daughter had a lot of separation anxiety in the beginning but the teachers were so understanding and welcoming that she adjusted in a matter of 2 days. Just incredible! The manager and teachers are so wonderful and warm and they take care of all the children as if they are their own. My daughter always has wonderful things to say about her day at school and I am so blessed to have found this place. I would totally recommend this learning center for any parent looking for a safe and educational environment for their little ones

I love Dee Dee's Place. The daycare has a warm and inviting environment my children thrived there!read more

Please do not send your child to this "child care" center if you love your child. They lack…read moretransparency, professionalism, and compassion. Jen, Carla, and crishenda were very impatient with my child. I've witnessed one of them use profanity in front of the children. That same woman treated my daughter with much hatred. It took me a while to figure out why my daughter refused to go in whenever we went to drop her off. Avoid this place like the plague that it is.

We didn't know how our daughter would transition into her first independent experience outside the…read morehome, and the school was with us every step of the way in creating a schedule and accommodations that met her needs.

Kids After Hours the best and most convenient option for before and after school care. The Green…read moreCastle Kids After Hours Staff is well trained but overall are naturally good with Kids. Mic the director and Steven are the best care givers. Kids after hours sets up at the school cafeteria every morning before school starts, after school and most days when there is no school. They ensure to help kids with their homework and organize a number of different activities to develop children motor skills, social skills, coping skills, art skills among others. The staff will know your child and will be able to recognize odd behaviors. I highly recommend because I wouldn't trust any other facility near by with the care for my child. Kids After Hours provides kids with a healthy breakfast snack and afternoon snack. Their Summer camps are absolutely amazing! They also provide Kids Night Out events which are held on Friday Nights, you can sign up for this event and for an additional fee (As of 2018/2019 $45 if not enrolled in their program and $20 if you are) your kids stay after school for fun activities, Pizza party, prices, bouncy balloons, movie etc. And lasts til 9 or 9:30pm. Kids After Hours is most Amazing!!

A preschool that offers a half day program and an earlier full day program. My daughter has been…read moreattending since last year and the director and the teachers have been amazing. Marie loved her teacher last year Ms. Abby and still mentions her name frequently. The staff are always kind and patient with the children from what I've observed. It's called a coop but they don't require cooping from the parent which is better for us. They have a variety of themes each week and month. The director is responsive, nurturing, thoughtful and creative. You can just tell she loves the children and what she does! They do an amazing job updating and rotating the play toys and areas. Every morning Marie arrives to a new activity. We receive multiple photo, activity and potty updates each day. They take walks, play in the playground which has swings, slides, a big sandpit and an indoor gym with scooter, bicycles and more toys. Last year they even had a My Gym specialist come in over a week to teach the kids how to tumble, balance etc. The teacher to student ratio is always small, 1:4 at most. I highly recommend this place for people interested in a half day program. I believe there is a full day option from 7:30-3pm but I would check their website.

Happy Hands has been such a great experience for our family. They really care about each kid, are…read morevery thoughtful, and work hard to make it a wonderful community.

We had kids at 2 at HH from 10-24 months, we would have sent older two if we had been in town. This…read moreis truly an amazing place! I looked at ALL centers in CC, we got places in the 'hottest' centers, we even started at Wonders for a month, they might have hot food but the care was nothing like HH. Nothing can compare in love and care given at HH! They have been attentive to every need for the kids and us! We loved the daily trips outside and the trail access. I can't say enough good things about this place, it's not huge or fancy- but if it's the quality of care for your child you want to be excellent-you will not find a better place.

My son attended Messiah Lutheran Preschool in the Tuesday/Thursday 3 year old class this past…read moreschool year. This is a great program with caring and nurturing teachers who really focus on the individual needs of each child. My son was excited to attend school each day and learned both social skills and content-based skills (such as recognizing letters and writing his name) in just 6 hours a week. This is a wonderful community of people from the director to the teacher helpers who really care about the children and go out of their way to support families as well as the kids. Additionally, the teachers provide feedback to the parents three times each year and post the day's lessons outside the classroom each day so that we can be involved and support our children in their learning goals as well. I highly recommend MLPS to anyone with preschool aged children!