Frequently asked questions
Please feel free to email us at preschool@mcpckids.org if you have any questions that aren't answered here.
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.
who are our families?
Our school community changes each year as we welcome new families. For the 2023-2024 school year, our community includes LGBTQ+ families, immigrant and multilingual families, people with disabilities, and varied religious and cultural backgrounds. About a third of our families have one or more parents of color. We work actively to make sure all children and families are included, represented, and celebrated in our curriculum, conversations, books and other materials, and parent and teacher education. All are welcome and acknowledged here! Please see our page on Diversity for more information for how we hope to continue making changes at our school.
How many children
attend MCPC?
MCPC accommodates up to 30 children each year. We strive to achieve a gender-balanced and age-balanced mix of children and maintain a parent to child ratio of 1:5.
What days
do children attend?
Children attend preschool five days per week, from 9am–12pm. Optional extended care is available until 3pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays. A Spanish Immersion program is offered to older students on Mondays and Wednesdays until 3pm.
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 2023-24 school year is $620 per month for ten months, September through June. For 2024-2025 school year, the tuition will increase to $650 per month.
Are there any additional fees?
There is an annual $34 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 may include donating used goods and/or baked goods etc. to various fundraising events that take place throughout the year.
Do you offer extended care?
We offer extended care from 12–3pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Extended Day does not require parent participation. For the 2023-24 school year, Extended Day tuition is $32 per day for pre-enrolled children and $36 per day for drop-ins. A Spanish Immersion program is offered to older students on Mondays and Wednesdays until 3pm as well.
Do you offer any other languages?
A Spanish Immersion program is offered to older students on Mondays and Wednesdays from 12-3pm. This program is led by a native Spanish speaker. Spanish is only available for pre-enrollment, no drop-ins.
What does MCPC do to ensure a diverse school community and culture?
Diversity is an integral value at MCPC. Our parent-run diversity committee meets multiple times a year, working closely with the Board and Director to ensure that diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice are woven into all aspects of our school and community.
When can I tour the school?
Tours are available all February long. For more information, please email preschool@mcpckids.org or leave a message at (510) 339-7213 with your contact information.
Who is eligible to work on the parent's participation day?
Typically the child's parent or legal guardian is required to work on your participation day. Working adults 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 typically not eligible to fulfill work day requirements, however we have recently made some exceptions with the understanding that not all parents are able to fulfill this requirement. Please inquire with our Director if this is your situation.
How can I get an application?
We provide applications after interested parents have taken a tour of our school. Please visit our application page to read through our enrollment process. Applications for the 2024-2025 school year can be found here: 2024-2025 Application
What ages does MCPC preschool serve?
MCPC preschool serves children ages 3 to 5 for the two years prior to entering 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. Some exceptions are made for children younger than 3 that have fall birthdays.
Children who enroll at MCPC when they are four will be eligible for one year of attendance in the preschool program. Children who are eligible for a TK program when they turn 5 according to OUSD guidelines may be eligible for a third year at MCPC in lieu of TK. Please feel free to address your child’s age specific situations with our director.
What are the parent participation requirements?
MCPC requires significant family participation at the school as a working parent and beyond. We encourage all families to be mindful of what will work for their family, as the time commitment is greater than at many co-ops.
Work at school one day per week (from 8:30am to 12:30pm).
Attend all parent meetings (first Wednesday of each month from 7pm to 9pm).
Work on two fundraising activities held throughout the year
Perform one of the many support jobs at the school (typically requires 2 to 4 hours per week in the first year, 4 to 8 hours per week in the second year).
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.
Is there Financial Assistance?
Yes. If you would like to apply for Financial Assistance, you can submit a Financial Aid form along with your application. Applying for financial assistance will not affect your chances for enrollment. The Financial Aid Form can be found here: Financial Aid Form