Questions & Answers

What is MCPC?
Montclair Community Play Center is a non-profit, parent-cooperative preschool, that has served our community since 1933. Our developmental curriculum focuses on creativity, socialization, independence, cognitive growth, and sensory-motor development. We are a supportive community of involved parents who provide our children with a nurturing environment under the guidance of our director and assistant teacher.

How many children attend MCPC?
MCPC accommodates 25 children each year. We try to keep a balance between boys and girls, and between first-year and second-year students.

What days do children attend?
Children attend five days per week, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. Extended care is available until 3 p.m. on Tuedays and Thursdays.

Must children attend five days per week?
No. However, our director requires that each child must attend a minimum of 3 days per week for their own social development. Most parents find that their children want to attend MCPC every day and look forward to daily participation. The tuition remains the same regardless of how many days your child attends.

What is the tuition at MCPC?
Tuition for the 2009-10 school year is $330 per month for ten months, September through June.

Are there any additional fees?
There is an annual $25 per child field trip fee and an annual emergency fee of $5 to $30. Also, each parent is responsible for purchasing the snack every fifth week on their work day, and co-hosting one general meeting a year. Other financial commitments include donating $100 worth of goods to the fall garage sale and a donation to the spring silent auction.

Do you offer extended care?
Beginning in October, we offer extended care from 12 noon to 3 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Extended care is overseen by our assistant teacher and an aide. Extended day does not require parent participation. For the 2007-08 school year, extended day tuition is $18 per day for pre-enrolled children and $24 per day for drop ins.

When can I tour the school?
We provide tours during the month of February. Tour sign-ups are available at the Parent Information Meeting held at 7:00 p.m. on the last Wednesday in January. For more information, please email preschool@mcpckids.org or leave a message at (510) 810-0510.

Who is eligible to work on the parent's participation day?
Only the child's parent or legal guardian is eligible to work on your participation day. Parents need to complete a physical exam, take a tuberculosis test, and attend the parent-training day at the end of summer to be eligible to work with the children. Grandparents (unless they are the child's guardian) and paid caregivers are not eligible to work at MCPC.

How can I get an application?
We provide applications after interested parents have attended the Parent Information Meeting and taken a tour of our school.

What ages does MCPC preschool serve?
MCPC preschool serves children ages 3 to 5 for the two years prior to kindergarten. Your child must be at least three years old and no older than four by September 1st of the year you wish to start. Children who enroll at MCPC when they are four will be eligible for one year of attendance.

What are the parent participation requirements?
Work at school one day per week (from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.). Attend all parent meetings (first Wednesday of each month from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.). Work on our two fund-raising activities (garage sale in the fall, and silent auction in the spring). Perform one of the many support jobs at the school (typically requires 2 to 3 hours per week). Work eight hours of maintenance per school year. Be prepared to serve on the MCPC board during the second year and attend an additional monthly meeting.

Please feel free to email us at preschool@mcpckids.org if you have any questions that aren't answered here.