SAFETY FIRST! We're taking extra measures to ensure your children are safe in our preschool. Learn More
Registration is
open for 2023-2024
your child will be 3, 4 or 5 years old by September 30th, 2023 ?
This is the form to get registration underway.
Click here to get info and book a visit!
Wanna know about the Music Program?
check out
Wanna know about our partnership with WIMGYM Gymnastics?
We bet you do! And you Should! Check it out here
Our Waiting List Policy: Kindly note that our waiting lists are a courtesy to facilitate communication between us. While the lists are designed to make the Preschool aware of your interest, they do not guarantee your child a spot in our Preschool.
We will keep you aware of any relevant updates and openings as they develop, and you can choose at that time whether or not to proceed with Registration. (Your child's spot will be officially booked once the registration fee has been received, the registration form has been submitted, and the tuition payments have been made to the school.)
Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
Are lunch and snacks included?
Children bring their own healthy snacks and lunch from home. Snacks should be packed in a separate bag that the children will only take out at snack time, while lunch can be packed in a lunch box. A labeled water bottle is also needed.
What is the teacher/student ratio?
Typically, there is 1 adult for every 8 children. However, with the Duty Parent Helper Program, there can be more hands on deck.
How many school breaks or vacation closures does the preschool have?
We generally follow an elementary school closure schedule (major holidays, long weekends, March break, Summer break, etc). You will be informed well in advance of any set preschool closures.
Have the educators obtained their police checks?
Yes, all educators have had their police checks.
Do all the educators have their Emergency Child Care First Aid CPR/AED?
Absolutely.
Does my child need to be potty trained in order to attend Magic Circle Preschool?
Yes, but we can accept them in a Pull-Up at the beginning of the year only if it’s only to prevent occasional accidents.
My child is not yet 3. Can we still register for next year?
Children must be 3 by September of their first year to register for our program, however we are already accepting names for 2023-2024. Please fill out this form and we will get in touch with you ASAP.
Are the 3 and 4-year-olds mixed together?
All the children play together and learn together in one classroom. The 4-year-olds will learn a little bit more about the theme. The daily craft will require a little more work from them, such as more cutting shapes, while the 3-year-olds will have pre-cut shapes, for example.
Logistics and timing
What’s the deadline for registering?
Registrations for the following school year open in the late Fall and continue on a first-come first-served basis until the spaces are filled. There is no specific cut-off date, however, once we are full, we start a waiting list.
Can my child arrive or leave at any time?
Unlike some daycares, there are set start and end times to this program. (It is not a drop-in program.) Please note that if there is a time conflict in either program, let us know and we'll see if we can help. It's 8:30 in the morning until either 12:30 or 2:00 depending on your program.
How much parental involvement/time commitment should be expected?
We are not a CO-OP, so parent responsabilities are few. We have a beloved 'child's special Day" aka "Duty Parent Parent" Program! Each child will have the pleasure of having a parent (it can be a grandparent) come once every 4-5 weeks for a special day in the classroom, (It is a rotation) This has strengthened our community because we all get to know each other...A little bit or a lot. It's up to you! **Please note: Duty Parent will need to be fully vaccinated to come into the school**
Financial questions
Does Magic Circle Preschool issue RL-24 tax forms?
Yes.
Are there any additional costs to attend Magic Circle Preschool?
There is a non-refundable annual registration fee of $85 for the school year, and your child's monthly tuition. There is a consumables fee per student to be paid at the beginning of the school year. There will also be an activity fee which we calculate at the beginning of the year based on what activities we have confirmed. The cost of field trips and special activities throughout the year can have a nominal fee, for example, apple picking, is approximately $20 while the Forest Adventure is free.
Does MCPS offer online payments?
Not at this time, however, we do accept etransfers & cheques.