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.

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.

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.

My daughter missed the cut off for kindergarten due to her birthday but she was ready to be social…read morewith kids and learn. I decided to have her attend the learning experience for the year. I can't say enough good things about this place. Ashley the assistant director always answered any questions I had and my daughter absolutely loves her. Ms Fatana and Ms. Belsie were amazing teachers. They truly love all the kids and always made my daughter feel safe and welcome. The school does little events throughout the year for the kids and they had a nice pre k graduation at the end of the year. I would definitely recommend if you are looking for a step up from a traditional daycare. They have a curriculum that they follow so your kids are learning throughout the year. The only thing I think that could be improved is a little more heads up for events etc. sometimes I felt like things were sprung on you last minute like pj day etc. maybe sending out a monthly calendar etc

Amazing staff, a phenomenal and attentive Director, and a warm, welcoming Assistant Director! The…read moreentire team is caring, professional, and truly dedicated to providing children with a nurturing and enriching learning experience. I highly recommend this remarkable school to any family in the Woodbridge area looking for quality childcare and an exceptional early education for their child.

The Child Development Center at DOL is an absolutely wonderful facility. My daughter has attended…read moresince age 15 months and loves it. I have had nothing but positive experiences, and the incredible impact that the teachers and staff have had on our family is hard to put into words. The facility itself is so fun and I personally think they've got the best playground for a DC daycare by far! It's HUGE and dedicated just to the center. The teachers and staff are so caring and kind and friendly, and they really do participate in my child's growth and development every step of the way. Excellent communication, reasonable pricing, and very accommodating hours. They are the best!

My daughter started at DOL Kindercare when she was about 5 months old. From the first day, I felt…read morelike the center's leadership and her teachers were invested in her and knew how to properly meet her needs. I was always impressed with how involved the center's leadership team (Ms. Elba, Ms. Donneeka, and Ms. Donisha) was in each child's development and how they knew each family. My daughter was so happy in their care, and made little friends in her classroom. I would have kept my daughter in the center until she aged out, but we moved out of the area. The teachers and center leadership still keep in touch with us, which shows how much they care about the children and families in their care. I highly recommend DOL Kindercare!!

We enrolled our children at Frog Pond because we were excited about the promise of a nature-based…read moreearly childhood education. Our oldest child had a positive experience in the younger classes, despite ongoing staffing challenges, and we initially felt we had found a special community. Unfortunately, by the Pre-K year, the program no longer resembled the nature-school experience that initially drew our family in. Persistent understaffing, extremely high staff turnover, and leadership challenges appeared to erode the quality and consistency of the program over time. Stable relationships are critical for young children, and the revolving door of teachers and staff made it difficult to feel confident in the environment. We also experienced situations that raised concerns about safety and communication. When concerns were brought forward, we often felt they were minimized or dismissed rather than addressed transparently and collaboratively. As parents, we were looking for accountability and partnership. Instead, we frequently left conversations feeling unheard and frustrated. What was especially disappointing was watching the program drift away from the thoughtful, intentional nature-based learning environment that had originally attracted us. Outdoor time remained part of the day, but the rich, well-supported nature school experience we envisioned was not consistently evident in practice. There were individual teachers who cared deeply about the children, and we are grateful for the positive experiences our child had in the earlier years. However, concerns about leadership, staffing instability, safety, and communication ultimately led us to withdraw our younger child and seek a different preschool. Choosing a preschool is one of the most important decisions families make. Based on our experience, Frog Pond was not able to provide the stable, transparent, high-quality nature school environment we were hoping for.

We had a truly mixed experience at Frog Pond and I want to share both the wonderful and…read moredisappointing aspects of this school so other parents can make an informed decision. The Positives: The heart of this school lies in its nature-based curriculum, and it really shines here. Our children spend their days outdoors, exploring, learning through play, and connecting with the natural world--something that's becoming increasingly rare in early education. It's a breath of fresh air (literally and figuratively), and we love the values it instills in our kids. The teachers--especially the long-standing ones--are the true gems of this school. They are warm, nurturing, and clearly passionate about early childhood education. You can tell they love what they do and care deeply about the children they work with. It's reassuring to drop your child off with people who feel like extended family. Another charming element is the presence of animals on the premises, which adds so much joy to the kids' days and is a great learning opportunity. The Negatives: Unfortunately, the administration tells a very different story. In our experience, the administrative staff are consistently rude, dismissive, and condescending to parents. Feedback is rarely taken seriously, and there is little to no accountability from leadership when problems arise. There is also a troubling pattern of high staff turnover, including the sudden and unexplained termination of beloved, long-term staff--some with 20+ years at the school. This has created instability and a sense of unease among both staff and parents. Visually, the campus is showing its age. While the philosophy emphasizes rustic, natural elements, there's a difference between intentional simplicity and neglect. Basic upkeep and repairs are often lacking, which doesn't match the high tuition price point. And lastly, one of the more frustrating elements is the expectation that parents "volunteer" large amounts of time and labor--not optional, and often physical work--despite already paying premium tuition. It feels like a bait-and-switch, and it places undue pressure on working families. In Summary: If you're looking for a beautiful, nature-forward education for your child and are lucky enough to land in a classroom with one of the veteran teachers, this school may be a great fit. But be prepared to deal with a difficult administration, unclear policies, and questionable treatment of staff. We truly wish the leadership reflected the same values the teachers and children bring to life every day.

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.

This has to be the most unprofessional atmosphere we have ever observed…read more The leadership or "mentors" could care less about the children. They let them act unruly in public settings with screaming, kicking one another, while these adults converse with each other or stuck in their phones. We observed these multiple afternoons from a balcony next the playground and was in shock how misbehaved the children were. These children lacked the discipline and control from 4-5:30 daily, and disrespectful to the community as well. We are so disappointed to see the lack of effort in this "School" ... This place is a day care only and should be embarrassed... Do not have your children come here.

I have had the worst experiences when it comes to childcare in the DMV. When I first applied to…read moreCelebree, I could not believe how open, transparent, and informed they were. There was a little bit of a waiting period because the school wasn't open just yet. But during that wait period, my son and I still had a chance to interact with both the teachers and the parents. Every question I had was answered with meaningful intention. They truly and honestly made it feel like a second home for my toddler. The time and attention given to each parent, child, and staff member shows how much effort is put into upholding the Celebree Values. * Communication: 10/10 They use the "HiMama" app where everything from the fire drills to the daily report is consistently uploaded daily. Recently my toddler was sick and had to stay home for a week. If I didn't reach out to the team someone from the team would reach out to check on him. * Culture: 10/10 They focus a lot on the kids and parents comfortability. If my son isn't feeling well or is just having a bad day they go above and beyond to understand what's going rather than just brush it off as an off day. They have parent events to have the parents connect with not only the teachers but other parents as well. * Curriculum: 10/10 I love the structure the curriculum because it's geared more towards comprehension and not solely memorization. For example: He knows how to count to 20 but does he know what the quantity actually looks like. * Procedures and Policies: 10/10 Safety is a number one priority for me so I spent a lot of time interviewing them about the safety procedures and policies. They have a policy in place for every and any issue you could possible think of. They have an open door policy and I can't count the amount of time I have dropped in to say hi or ask questions. * Facility: 10/10 I love that everything is always clean and childproof. The playground is on top of the roof which I know sounds like the most dangerous thing but the security around the playground is very reassuring. The structure of the multiple fences does not allow any devastating accidents. They do not leave the building outside of fire drills. The toys and books are up-to-date and well kept. Everything is very aesthetically pleasing. * Staff: 10/10 Each and every teacher has been amazing! My son is extremely excited each day to go to school so that he can see his teachers and friends. Life happens and sometimes teachers have to rotate out but the quality of care does not change. The staff makes sure know each student whether they are in their class or not. The Admin team really is the DREAM TEAM! The work like a well oiled machine the way the support each other, the staff, the kids, and the parents. * Ms. Shawn has to be one of the best support manager. She takes her time to connect with every student and parent. When I have a problem she has already began working on the solution! One moment she will bring doing Admin duties and the next she is in the classes teaching the kids. She does a lot of work to make sure the needs of everyone in the Celebree Family is met. * Ms. Jana is AH-MAY-ZING! She is the conductor of this train. Although she has worked in childcare for many years she is not jaded and somehow is able to give each child and parent consistent love and care. She brought us in and made sure we felt like family. She has even improved my parenting with all types of advice, tips, and tricks. * Mr. Mohammad and Mrs. Ayesha have been welcoming and open from the very beginning. I was hesitant because you never really get to form a bond with the owners of a daycare but they make sure to not just "show face" but actively be inside of the classrooms assisting the teachers with anything they need. I really wanted to make sure that this team of amazing people received their praises! I really appreciate each and every person that is apart of the Celebree Family.

I just wanted to share why I think Bright Horizons at Old Town Alexandria is such a great daycare…read moreoption. They offer both full-time and part, time care, which gives families flexibility depending on their needs. One thing I really liked is that they also have backup care, so you can pay for just a day to try it out and see how your child does before committing. They also do a lot to include families. For example, they held Donuts with Dads for Father's Day and Muffins with Moms for Mother's Day, where parents could come in and share breakfast with their child before drop-off. It's little things like that that make it feel like a real community. Their hours are super convenient, they're open from 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM. The teachers are very engaged, not only with the kids but also with the families. There's also an app they use to send updates and pictures throughout the day, which I love because it helps me stay connected with what my child is doing. Before your child starts, they set up an intake meeting where you get to meet the teachers, learn about the classroom, and ask any questions. It really helped me feel more comfortable and prepared with my two kids.

Make sure to ask current parents what they think of BH after the change in the center's…read moreadministration before joining the waitlist. What once was a truly wonderful and nurturing center has turned into an unsafe, unhappy place to bring my children, and it revolves around the new administration, not the teachers.