Little Flower Montessori School on 16th Street

[domrep]

Just read this...why did they wait 6 months to take the money out? Unless this means they are accepting your child? Any updates?

[jennrgolden]

They never called to tell me my child was accepted..besides, even if he had been, they cashed the check the week I had originally planned to have him start school...IF we had decided to put him in daycare we most certainly would have assumed we were not accepted at Little flower and enrolled him elsewhere.

Last Friday I called them and they told me "Oh, yes, I meant to call you. We mailed a refund check to you yesterday." Why they mailed it I don't know, I live a 5 min. walk away and told them numerous times I could come and pick up the refund check. I just said ok, thanks and hung up. Well, here we are a week after they supposedly mailed the check and I still haven't received it.

I'm still out $500!
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- Jenn

[domrep]

Any update?

You know, this comment isn't directed towards you, but 'schools' that are placed in the basement of a Church have always been shady to me. Especially for a school like that, that charges that much, one would think they could rent a building somewhere. But...I'm just rambling.

[jennrgolden]

No refund check was sent or received. They never answer the phone anymore when I call, I'm assuming they have caller ID. I've tried going up there, but the school always locked down like a fortress and you have to call to get them to come open the gate, which...they won't answer! My husband and I are discussing small claims court. However, between being 8 months pregnant w/complications and dealing with life in general...we really don't have the steam to deal with it.

there is no way our children are attending this school! We're actually looking at school in my mother's neighborhood out in Chevy Chase...I'll be paying through the eye-teeth, but at least I don't have to worry about unethical people teaching my children in their dungeon-like atmosphere.

... yeah, I'm bitter.

I keep trying to temper myself and tell myself perhaps they really are just that disorganized and this wasn't done out of malice, but I keep coming back to the fact they promised me the refund check had already been mailed. Had they said, sorry we can't refund it...it was a non-refundable then I would have been upset and would have been a different issue but I wouldn't as upset as I am right now.

This is just shockingly unprofessional and juvenile that they are just ignoring me now and not responding any form.
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- Jenn

[domrep]

OK, since you mentioned Chevy Chase, I might as well make a recommendation.

If its doable, I recommend the Quality Time Early Learning Center in Silver Spring. It's like about 5 minutes away from the Discovery Building if you've ever seen it. Very legit, my 3 year old niece has been going there since she was 2 and she's in the 'advanced 3 year old classroom.'

They go from day care to 1st grade. The niece loves it. They have valentine day parties, christmas shows, and she's actually learning there, as she can recite her ABCs, etc. They began giving her homework at the beginning of the school year.

Anyway, I can ask my sister. I'm going to go see her for a bit here, but I'm pretty sure the tuition is cheaper per month there than it is at the Flower Monterossi school or whatever its called, but don't quote me on that. I know she pays about $66 for the food per month, which includes breakfast, lunch and snack every day. They have a website and everything, just look it up. I'll try and get you more info on it.

[jennrgolden]

Thanks for the recommendation...that would actually be great! I used to work at Discovery and hope to return there next year when I head back into the work force so this would be great! I'll go look them up now!


***Edit/Update***

Hey, I'm looking through the website now...this is really great. I like the school a lot and I like that I will be able to put my new baby in the same place as my toddler!! thanks for pointing me in their direction.

Here's the website for others: http://www.qtelc.com/
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- Jenn

[jennrgolden]

I felt obliged to come back here and post an update. My son was at a home-based daycare after this fiasco with Little Flower, but he was simply starved for the company of other children his age. I loved the home based daycare and still take my 9 month old there, but my almost 3 year old needed something more. So.... yes, can you believe it....I brought him to Little Flower. My husband started a campaign to convince me of it months ago and when one day my son asked for "an abc school" I had to give in. We are on the waiting list of a couple of other schools, but they simply aren't clearing - we could be waiting until my son is 4!

And if you're wondering...yes, we had to repay the deposits and app fees!!!

Am I happy, yes, because my son is flourishing and excited about school. Do I still have a chip on my shoulder and a grudge with the school - yep, that will never go away. But son's happiness trumps all.

Like I said, I posted such scathing things about the school here, I felt obliged to come back update about this latest thing. Believe me it's hard for me to give them kudos, but they are an excellent school even if they are administratively defunct.
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- Jenn