Primrose School of Downtown Bethesda

Beth Strum

Very Disappointed! When we joined the school in Jan 2021, we were very happy with everything. We got pictures almost every day and my daughter, R, came home with new friends and loved learning everything. The academics and structure what just what she needed compared to her previous preschool. This year has been just terrible. R has ADHD, but her teacher had been forcing her to nap thinking her hyperactivity is because she is overtired. We have had to get Drs notes to get permission for a 4.5 year old not to nap - this school is supposed to prep her for kindergarten, they don't have nap/rest time in kindergarten - why would you force a kid to nap! Communication with teachers/school has been lacking. We never get pictures anymore. Teachers change in the classroom and parents are not informed. R is spending more and more time in the kindergarten classroom - parent is not informed. These types of transitions are very difficult for an ADHD kid. These transitions are not on a regular schedule and so without the structure she needs, she has been lashing out both at school and home and has been difficult to deal with, which of course the school blames her for. Honestly, they just don't know how to deal with a child like her. It is only through conversations with other parents that we each pick up bits and pieces of what is happening in class and are able to put together the big picture. Daily we get small emails about what goes on in the classroom, but its just a snapshot - not a big picture. You really have no idea what is done on a day to day basis, what your child is learning, doing, etc... Today, a year and half after starting, my daughter asked me if it was Friday because that's show and tell day? What? Since when is there show and tell? I was never told about this? Is this a special today or is that every Friday? When we started at Primrose, we were told no outside toys - which I was okay with... so when did show-n-tell begin? This is rhetorical... just an example of how terrible communication is with parents. Perhaps the teacher truly expects the 4 and 5 year olds to communicate with their parents and remember things, which I think anyone would agree is way too much to expect from a normal 4/5 year old. The last straw was on picture day when I asked (in writing) for her to be changed out of her beautiful dress into play clothes after her picture was taken. When I picked her up - her dress was ruined. Stained and pulls in the dress. When I asked why she was not changed the administrators told me that she didn't want to... I have to wonder who is in charge - the child or the teachers/administrators. I have emailed the school and asked for reimbursement for the ruined dress. It has been a week and I have heard nothing back!

Sara Haimes

We have been impressed with several aspects of the school--my kids are clearly learning and demonstrate new skills or information routinely. They adore their teachers and friends/classmates. They say ALL the right things during the tour and on the website that you want to hear as a parent. However, there are some glaring issues. It's a black-hole when it comes to communication. Drop off and pick up occur in the lobby so their is no interaction with their actual teachers unless you schedule a meeting during your work day to come see them. They have an app--but it tells you the basics of the schedule and is not used effectively to communicate about changes in your child's day (i.e. they had a substitute teacher today, your child was in a different classroom today, your child had a really rough day or great day). Teacher/Staff turnover is high. They didn't communicate about classroom transitions until I made an issue out of it--it's a lot of basic things that you'd expect proactive communication about that don't occur. That being said, the parents meet across the street most days at the playground to compare notes and try to understand what is going on inside the school--so that is great for trying to understand what is going on--but also irritating because you learn about everything else going on.

Christina Cary

Our daughter, Abigail (Abby), has loved Primrose and we are incredibly grateful that we found them initially for backup care when our in-home daycare very unexpectedly closed. The team at Primrose welcomed Abby with open arms and has shown her so much love, and she has definitely learned a ton (academically, socially and emotionally) and made great friends within her class. The daily updates that the school provides via the Procare app are fantastic and it's really cool to feel like we are going to school with Abby! We have never had any questions or concerns about her safety and when she has experienced a minor bump/bruise, the Primrose team has proactively alerted us. Overall, we have had a tremendous experience - while the cost is higher than some other local childcare providers, it is 100% worth it in my view.

John Snyder

Very Clean School with a Great Curriculum. Our children are thriving!