A Child’s Place At Hollin Hall

I would not trust your children here. There is currently a lawsuit against them for suspected child abuse. This is after a separate child abuse claim from a year and a half ago in which they just moved the teacher from one class to another to «solve» it pending an investigation. And the fact that the assistant director from five years ago is in jail for being caught trying to solicit a minor Catch-​A-​Predator style (just google Eric Mintzer — ACP has a dark, not-​very-​distant past with the same management that let it happen then) while his boss and personal friend, Jill Levy, is STILL the director there (and still visits him in jail). You’ll recognize Jill when you go in to tour; she’s the one that looks like Lord Voldemort in a fleece pull over, letting her own children raid the snack closet meant for the students.
It’s so sad because they have some fantastic and dedicated teachers there that really want what is best for the students. In fact, some of them have gone on to get licensed and work in the public school system. But 33 preschool aged children in one classroom is ridiculous and even the best teacher in the world can’t be his/​her best with that many children in one room and no support from the directors (and even less from the corporate office)
The directors would rather hire teenagers with no education to watch your children so they can get away with paying them minimum wage, than hire educated licensed teachers for a mere $ 13−15/hour because Mrs. Levy feels her authority threatened when she’s around anyone with half a brain, and Jill Lee in the corporate office just wants to keep their profits high and employee pay low. In case you ever want to get a real feel of what they’re like, just listen to how they talk about your kids when they don’t realize you’re around the corner.
All this combined — is disastrous. All the good teachers there would be better off somewhere where the management supports their dedication to the children, rather than the bottom line of profit. I wouldn’t trust my kids in that mess.

We have been at A Childs Place for the past ten years. We have had children in every single preschool classroom, three times over. We have attended Summer Camp for the past seven years. We have had a very positive experience the entire time, and hope that we can stay at least another six years.
The preschool classes have been wonderful educational and social programs. We have found all teachers to be enthusiastic and caring. The Pre-​K teachers especially, Miss Elinor and now Miss Katie, have been exceptional. Our children have started kindergarten well ahead of the curve. In additional they have been nurtured socially and creatively within the classroom. The myriad of extra activities (magicians, puppet shows, animal shows, nature park trips, Spanish class, Phys Ed, art, music) have really added to our children’s experience. We have experienced no behavioral issues in any of the preschool classrooms.
Our older children benefit from the SACC room as well. We appreciate the regular emphasis on outdoor play, the many games and creative activities available inside, and the homework room (especially when the high school counselors give spelling tests, or fluently help with Spanish homework!) Once or twice we have brought up a behavior issue. Counselors, and center directors have been approachable, understanding, kind, and effective in handling squabbles among students or even a bullying concern.
Summer Camp is amazing. The built-​in variety every week, matches the same activities I would strive for at home. It is fun for children (and secretly educational). I love that we can sign up for only the weeks we need, and this center will work with changing summer schedules whenever possible. When I’ve had an extra day off from work in the summer, my children ask to go to summer camp anyway.
The best part of our past decade here has been the two directors: Jill and Amy. They both have an amazing talent in running an organized, effective business, but making it feel like a family. I appreciate all the effort they put into timely communication (monthly newsletters, emails, daily boards), and how far ahead they plan (registration, summer camp, field trips…) With every single issue I’ve ever brought their way, they have been approachable and kind. They will bend over backwards to be accommodating, but fair to all. When I walk in to pick up my children, seeing Jill or Amy brightens my day. As long as they keep running this place, we will keep coming back.

I would just like to say that I have 2 children at a child’s place and my wife and I absolutely love it! It seems really childish to me to continue to bash a business and individual people to try and make a point. And as far as being asked to write something nice about A child’s Place, I am only defending a place that definitely doesn’t deserve this kind of harassment and that loves and cares for their students as if they were their own children. My children absolutly love their time at A Child’s Place and my family and I will continue to support the school as well as the staff.

My two children have been at three different childcare centers in the DC area, and _​A Child’s Place at Hollin Hall_​has clearly been the best! In 2010, I placed my son into their Pre-​K program at age 4 and he was *so* ready for kindergarten when he «graduated.» Since then, I have had both my children in the before-​school SACC and the Summer Camps programs. Summer camp at ACP is the best! My kids have been to enriching and entertaining places all around the area. All the teachers and management have been so kind and helpful, knowledgeable about their field and caring to all of the children; the staff in Pre-​K and SACC have been amazingly consistent. My son especially loved learning Spanish, the computer classes, and Power Tots gymnastics. I loved their «no electronics» policy for summer camp.
The directors, Jill and Amy, are both very approachable and responsive. I feel that my kids are learning all the time, completely secure, and are among their best friends at ACP. Another reviewer mentioned changing codes for the cyber lock — I can recall at least three codes in four years. It would be inconvenient for parents to have to keep track of monthly or more regular changes. I love A Child’s Place and I know my kids do too! Looking forward to the Summer Camp in 2015! (I’m leaving one star off because my kids didn’t attend the toddler programs and so I can’t comment on them.)