Program Questions

Are you a full year program?
Yes, services begin the last week of August and continue through next summer. We are closed periodically for selected holidays and staff development days. See the monthly services calendar for details.

What are the schools’ hours?
Monday through Friday, 8:00am-6:00pm

How does the program ensure services are of the highest quality?
We have been operating since 1969, and adhere to Mission Head Start Title 5 Preschool Regulations, National Head Start Performance Standards and California State Preschool Program CSPP Requirements. Our Program is frequently being reviewed for quality assurance through: internal quarterly service area monitoring site visits, monthly training and technical assistance for staff development, and annual program self-assessment and a tri-annual National Head Start Office Federal Review and CSPP Review. Recently we underwent our federal review by NHS and it was a favorable assessment of services.

What is your program curriculum?
MHSCD has a Spanish Bilingual Preschool Program with a child-centered play-based creative curriculum and a holistic approach to the child and family. The curriculum is nationally recognized and approved by the National Head Start Program. Our program fosters values such as sharing, cooperation, self-esteem, and respect for others.

What is your student-to-teacher ratio?
Preschool (3-4 years of age)

Title 5 Requirements	MHS Child Development Program
1:8 teacher/child ratio	1:8 teacher/child ratio

Do you serve meals?
We serve breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack to all our children.

How does the orientation work? Can I spend time with my child in the class?
We require new students and parents to visit their class once before enrolling full-time.  Parents will also have a chance to meet our program staff prior to enrollment. 

What will my child’s schedule be? What is a typical school day like?

Time	Activity
8:00am- 8:30	Free choice activities are available as children are arriving- Health checks and hand washing.
8:30-8:45	Large Group (Circle Time English or Spanish) Songs, finger plays, stories, games, music and movement
8:45-9:30	Children wash their hands, have breakfast, brush teeth, use bathroom
9:30-10:30	Outdoor Activities: Ball playing, riding trikes, sand & water play, teacher directed activities, (such as races, small group activities like duck, duck, goose), painting, quiet activities, (Like reading books, )
10:30-11:30	Inside Activities: Child initiated and teacher directed activities, free play, (all learning areas are open to children to participate in).
11:45-12:30	Children wash their hands, have lunch, brush their teeth, use bathroom
12:30-2:00	Quiet/Nap time for children.
2:00 -2:15	Children wake up, use bathroom, wash hands
2:15-2:30	Large Group (Circle Time English or Spanish) Songs, finger plays, stories, games, music and movement).
2:30-2:45	Children wash hands and have their first snack.
2:45-3:45	Outdoor Activities: Ball playing, riding trikes, sand & water play, teacher directed activities, (such as races, small group activities like duck, duck, goose), painting, quiet activities, (Like reading books, )
3:45-4:45	Inside Activities: Child initiated and teacher directed activities, free play, (all learning areas are open to children to participate in).
4:45-5:15	Quiet inside activities
5:15-6:00	Children wash hands and have their second snack/departure

Enrollment Questions

What is your application process?
To apply, please pick up or drop off an application at our main center located at 362 Capp Street or download the form Application for Tuition Services from our website; www.mncsf.org/childdevelopmentservices. We accept applications year-round. Although most children are enrolled in the summertime beginning in June, we have open enrollment as vacancies occur and accept children throughout the year. You can fax us your application once it is complete or you can drop it off in person. If you chose to fax your application in, please follow up with a call to verify that your application was received. Also, if you would like to speak with the ERSEA Resource Specialist, please make an appointment in advance by calling 415-920-0123 x 231.
The sooner you fill out an intake application and return it to us, the sooner we can process it.  One to two weeks after you have submitted your initial application, we will call you. We will let you know specific details about when we might have an opening and answer questions you may have.

If a space opens and you choose to enroll your child, you must then submit an Enrollment Packet. These documents allow us to gather more detailed information about your child and his/her social development. Once you are accepted, we also require a one time retainer of $300.00 to secure a family’s spot. A form explaining payment methods will be provided to you.
At this point, our ERSEA Resource Specialist will schedule your family’s orientation, classroom visit for you and your child, and set your child’s official start date.

How do I schedule a tour?
You may schedule a tour by calling our ERSEA Resource Specialist (415-920-0123). Group tours are typically scheduled once per month.

My child is not yet two years old. Can I still apply and get on your waitlist?
Yes. As long as a child has a birth date or a due date, you may apply to our program.

Can I bring my child to your school three days a week? Do you offer part-time child care?
We are a full time facility and require that children attend our program all week for a minimum of 6.5 hours a day. Our program is an integrated developmental program for young children, not a drop-in center. Consistency is important for your child’s success at our program.

Is there a waitlist?
There is often a waitlist for spots at our school. During the summer months, many spots open as children transition out of our school. During the rest of the year we are generally fully enrolled. Because there is some turnover during the year, spots do open. Openings depend upon current levels of enrollment, teacher-student ratio in our various classrooms, and the age and development of your child. We will inform you as soon as an opening is available.

How does the wait list work?
We give preference based on the order in which families apply to the program, which also includes giving priority to four (4) year old then the three (3) year olds, although we also do offer priority to siblings of currently enrolled children. As soon as we receive your application, we stamp it with the date and time of receipt. Therefore, once you submit your application, your waitlist rank and age of child is reserved. During March and April, we notify those families on the waitlist who will receive spots for the coming Fall. All families on the waitlist will be called by the end of May to verify whether or not they would like to remain on the waitlist for the following school year.

Your school’s wait list is too long. Can you recommend other child care centers in the area?
To learn about other high-quality educational child care facilities in the area, we recommend you contact Children’s Council. They can refer you to schools that best fit your child’s individual needs. www.childrenscouncil.org 

I submitted an application a week ago and haven’t heard from anyone. What should I do?
We are processing applications as fast as we can. Processing takes generally one to two weeks. We will inform you as soon as an opening is available. We appreciate your patience.

How much is the tuition?
Tuition for one child is $1200.00 per month and a one time retainer of $300.00 to secure a family’s spot. At the end of your last month of tuition this deposit may either be put towards your tuition or refunded back to you.
Payment is due the 1st of the month payments received after the 3rd of the month will be assessed a 5% fine. If payment is not received by the 5th of the month you may loose your preschool slot. Payment is due every month in full whether your child attends all, part or none of that month. This is because tuition is annualized and our expenses remain constant whether your child attends or not.

Do you have discounts for multiple children from the same family?
Yes, we offer a 10% discount for siblings. However, currently this only applies to one family per program year.

MNC MHSCDP-Tuition Services Revised: 7/30/10