It was the white orchids that struck us first, sitting elegantly on the reception desk. Then the two mid-century leather chairs in the waiting area—the kind of furniture you might find in the swanky lobby of an investment firm or advertising agency. These corporate design details—including a monochrome company logo and a huge wall-mounted TV—caught us off guard. After all, we weren’t looking for stock tips or help with an ad campaign. We were hunting for childcare for our baby son.
My wife and I were touring all the daycare centers within a plausible distance of our apartment in Washington, D.C. We were spoiled for choice. There were at least six providers within a 15-minute walk, including a home-based daycare; a mom-and-pop place; a branch of a small, family-run chain; and a national non-profit. They all seemed friendly, well-run—and rough around the edges. One, located in the basement, was even a little dungeon-like. But then we visited the Gardner School, which was about to open just three blocks from home. The Gardner School felt different—and it wasn’t just the chilly, reception-area atmosphere.
