SAFETY FIRST! We're taking extra measures to ensure your children are safe in our preschool. Learn More
Registration is
open for 2023-2024
Extra & Co-Curricular activities!
We currently incorporate 3 activities into our days at preschool.
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?
We respect all of your choices when it comes to what your child eats. It's one of the reasons snacks & lunch come from your home!
What is the teacher/student ratio?
Typically, there is 1 adult for every 8 children. However, there can be more hands-on deck when we have a university or ECE student working in our classroom. We also have a duty parent but they do not affect the ratio.
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?
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 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.