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Program Information
Daily Curriculum
NDDCC provides a scheduled day of activities for your child. Classroom activity varies according to the lesson plan, the age and developmental level of the children, individual interests and the abilities of the children. Parents are always welcome to have an open dialogue with their child's teacher.
Two large fenced in playgrounds allow the children to enjoy outdoor activities twice per day. During the spring and summer months, the teachers may bring their curriculum outdoors and the children enjoy picnic lunches and simple water play.
Nutrition
Breakfast and an afternoon snack are provided daily. Parents provide a healthy lunch brought in an insulated lunch bag. Parents notify the child's teacher of any food allergies that the child may have.
Rest Time
Children in every classroom take daily naps. We ask that parents bring in a sheet to cover the child's cot, a blanket and a pillow or stuffed animal if the child prefers to nap with either. Toddlers nap from 1 - 3 pm. Our preschool (3's) and our Pre-K groups (4's) from 1:30 - 3 pm. If a child refuses to nap, we will find an alternative for that child; quiet play in the classroom or books on the cot. We give the child approximately 1/2 an hour on his/her cot to determine whether they will sleep before making alternative plans. Parents are asked to bring home any bedding on a weekly basis to be laundered.
Our Partnership with the Grownups
Sharing information about each child's progress and experiences in the program is vital to the parents as well as to the child. You will be notified by the center when a parent/teacher conference is scheduled regarding your child. These conferences will take place twice a year (in the Spring and in the Fall) to discuss your child's progress. In addition, parents are encouraged to discuss any immediate concerns by phone or in person. An appointment does not need to be made to 'drop-in' during our hours of operation. We foster ongoing, open communication between the parents and teachers as we feel consistency is very important for the child to thrive. A parent may also request a conference at any time. We ask that parents share information about problems at home so that extra attention can be given to the child.
Tuition
Non-Refundable (One-Time) Enrollment Fee: $100
Full-Time Weekly enrollment is 5 days.
Part-Time (2-4 days) enrollment is offered based on availability.
TODDLER
(18-36 months)
Please contact us
Invoiced bi-weekly
PRE-SCHOOL
(3 years)
Please contact us
Invoiced bi-weekly
PRE-K
(4-5 years)
Please contact us
Invoiced bi-weekly
Our Team
Our environment fosters open learning, and as such is carefully supervised by an experienced, dedicated, and skilled staff. The Center considers an important part of its mission to assist and support parents/caregivers with their children’s development. As partners in learning, our staff works with families to help each child reach full potential, with an emphasis on self-respect and acceptance of others.
Priscilla Gideon
Director
Priscilla Gideon is a University Scholar Honors Graduate of Princeton University, with two Masters’ Degrees from Columbia. She is a lifetime member of The Actors Studio, an award winning short fiction writer, and, little known fact…an Irish citizen!
Priscilla’s secret to a lifetime working with children is a very active inner child. Joy and a sense of wonder are at the heart of everything she does. When not teaching, Priscilla can be found jumping on the bed with her rescue dog Tain.
Renee
Assistant Director
Favorite children’s book: The Mitten by Jan Brett
What you love most about your job: The hugs, smiles and helping them to problem solve.
All staff maintains a minimum of 15 hours per year of NYS regulated trainings including but not limited to CPR, First Aid, Shaken Baby Syndrome, Child Abuse, Maltreatment, and Child Development. They are cleared and fingerprinted by New York State and are mandated reporters. Our child-teacher ratio is 1:5 for toddlers, 1:7 for 3s, and 1:8 for 4s. All teachers possess a minimum of a 2-year degree in Early Childhood, with several teachers holding a higher education degree. Our staff’s dedication to the field of early education is valued and respected by our families and the community at large.