North Potomac/Rockville area daycare centers?

st.augbride

Hi! I'm new to this board and pretty much to the DC area. We're expecting our first in February, and since I heard horror stories about daycare wait lists, we wanted to start checking out a few sites. We live right near the Early Learning Center (on Dufief Mill Rd) and the Academy Child Development Center (one in Rockville on Darnestown Rd and one at Stony Mill). Is anyone familiar with these or any other daycares in this area? Also, what are average daycare costs for infants? The Early Learning Center quoted 260/week, but the Academy (which we probably liked better) is 1895/month--major difference and we're wondering why!

Anyhow, any reviews or advice or ideas would be VERY much appreciated! Thank! 

 

DCtoLowcountry

Welcome and congrats on expecting!

I'm in the area and $250/wk for an infant is on the lower end of prices in the area. Rates go up to $400/wk depending on the type of care you want.

Many ladies on the board don't post details about their childcare situations (you can never be too safe) but in Montgomery County (MoCo) the best ways to search for childcare are to use the LOCATE service provided by the county, or if you're interested in in-home providers, Monday Morning Moms. If you're looking for reviews of individual places, check out the forums at DC Urban Moms.

At centers, you'll be put on a waiting list and told to call back once you've had the baby. For in-home providers, you can interview some but since they only know availability a month or two in advance, you'll also be told to call back once you've had the baby. Some places will hold your spot for a deposit - for me, I didn't want to do that, and I'm glad I didn't because my feelings about where I wanted to leave DS changed once I got to know him!

Good luck! You will find good childcare, it's just a matter of time.