Northern Virginia Academy of Early Learning

My son was enrolled to the Toddler room after being on wait list for about 9 months. I have to say that it was totally worth the wait. I am so impressed at the kind and caring staff at NVA Campus II (Early Development Center). The teachers are very enthusiastic and care about the kids. The classes are very clean and bright; the curriculum is very structured and has various different activities everyday. My son always brings cute arts and crafts projects home that he worked on that day. You get a daily report out sheet with eating schedule, nap, diaper changes etc. My son has eczema and food allergies, yet the teachers and directors are so caring and accomodating. My son has learned so much since he has started at NVA — singing, dancing, ABCs, counting/​colors in English and Spanish, socializing skills etc. The only thing is I wished that potty training can happen in the Toddler room when the kids turn 2 years old. Despite this, I feel that this is one of the better and organized daycares in this area. Thank you so much for all that you do!

I also have neighbors who have praised this center. Although, my child was never actually enrolled — I did tour the center for the infant rooms. I have to say, especially for the infant 1 room. I was not impressed.
1) There are 16 babies are ages 3 – 4 weeks — 16 months. That’s a HUGE age and developmental range. And 16 babies? Wow!
2) 3 – 4 weeks is SO young. I seriously cannot imagine they have all their necessary vaccinations to be protected in group care at that age. Most centers do not allow children under 6 weeks into group care. I have to wonder why this center does.
3) Besides the range being so wide, there is no separation, logical or otherwise, of older/​younger infants. While I was touring, an older baby maybe 12 months or so, climbed on top of a very young sleeping infant in a bouncer and woke them up.
Now I will get to my primary complaint:
4) The administration is incompetent and above all else, they are rude!
We put our daughter on the wait list for this center. We were told in September of 2014 there would be a spot available for her in March 2015. When we called in December once our daughter was born to check in and make sure a spot would be available, they told us that there would no longer be a spot available in March, but there would be one in May. I wasn’t thrilled, but eh, okay. I guess. THEN, we called back in January to check in on status (they request you call once a month… for some unknown reason) they told us they wouldn’t have a spot for her until DECEMBER of 2015. September of 2014 — December of 2015. The classroom only holds babies for 16 months! They could fill the ENTIRE class up in that amount of time.
We called, very upset, and visited to get clear answers. They refused to admit they skipped us on the waiting list. They insisted they give ‘preference’ to current enrolled families. I totally get that. But it takes 9 months to gestate a baby. The math doesn’t add up. September 14 — December 15, makes us at 15 months on the waiting list. The classroom only holds babies for 16 months! They would be refilling the whole class by that point. Again, the math just doesn’t add up. They obviously skipped us on the list for some reason or another and didn’t even bother apologizing. During our visit, their demeanor was hostile and their overall response was appalling.
They were rude. They were deceitful — and I just wouldn’t trust them being the leadership where my child spends 8+ hours a day.
Look for somewhere who values your child, your family and is honest and upfront with you.
This is NOT that place.

I have a few neighbors that have praised this center, and the waitlist is long. We finally were able to get my 2 year old enrolled, and he’s very happy. The center director is attentive, and the teachers are knowledgable and communication is strong. This is a refreshing change from his previous area day care center. It’s well worth the wait!