8:50am
Meeting for on-duty parents and Director to discuss what has been going on in the childrens' play, ideas for engaging the kids, and any concerns. One parent is assigned to care for on-duty parents' children while meeting takes place.

9:00am
Children arrive at school. Free choice of play activities, indoors and outdoors. Children prepare and eat snack at their leisure with adult assistance.

11:00am
Circle time. Children are usually divided into two circles by age to act out stories they have dictated earlier in the morning, sing songs, learn fingerplays, and talk. For special events (guests or birthdays) the community meets in a single circle.

11:15am
Balloon Groups: Combined-age children break into small groups and focus on Movement & Dance, Gross Motor Activities, or hands-on Discovery (science projects).

11:30am
Children continue outside play.

11:45am
Closing circles. Children have time to discuss important events or issues that came up during the day, hear a story, and then say good-bye in a special song.

12:00pm
School ends for children. Meeting for on-duty parents with the Director to discuss the day. Children of on-duty parents hear stories while they eat a brown-bag lunch and share conversation.

A typical week at MCPC

Program Hours
School hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, from early September through mid-June. MCPC follows the Oakland Public Schools calendar. Extended care is available on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

A Summer Camp (which does not require parents to work) is offered at the end of the school year. Throughout the year, we also offer a Toddler Program for children aged 18 to 36 months and their parent or caregiver.