NCRC Parent Handbook & NCRC COVID-19 Guidelines & Policies

During the 2021-2022 school year, NCRC will follow a staggered arrival and dismissal schedule for all classes.  Information on changes/alterations to the arrival and/or dismissal schedule will be communicated directly by your classroom teachers, and will be posted on the NCRC Website. As a general guideline the schedule is as follows:

• AM classes begin at 8:30 am and end at 11:30 am

• PM classes begin at 12:40pm and end at 3:30 pm

• Full-day classes begin at 8:30am and end at 3:00 pm

Please Note: Due to COVID-19, the typical daily schedule is subject to change. Changes to the daily schedule will be communicated to families via email.

Due to health and safety considerations as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Optional Programs have been suspended, until such time it is determined to be safe for students and faculty to commence offering them.  Information and Updates will be communicated via the NCRC Website. Historically, Optional Programs followed the following schedule:

•  EARLY BIRDS (8:00-8:30 am) 

Available for AM & Full-Day Students

Early Birds offers supervised childcare for AM & Full-Day students from 8:00am until classes begin; regular enrollment and drop-in opportunities are accommodated, when space is available. Children participate in activities such as puzzles, arts, motor games, and choice toys. 

•  MUNCH BUNCH(Bunny & Duckling) & LUNCH BUNCH(Beehive & Butterfly) (11:30am-12:30pm) 

Children extend the school day enjoying lunch with friends while supervised by teachers. After lunch is completed, teachers lead the group in activities or support play on the playground. An emphasis of the lunch programs is fostering independence, exercising executive functioning skills, and learning the importance of balanced nutrition. Munch/Lunch Bunch is available only as a 5-day/week program and there are no drop-in opportunities. 

• LATER GATORS & LITTLE GATORS (3:00-5:00pm)

Available for PM & Full-Day Students 

Parents choose the pick-up time for their child(ren) either at 3:30, 4:00pm, or 5:00 pm. Based on the length of time your child is in the program, children participate in a snack, teacher-led activities, and time on the playground. Drop-ins for the program are accommodated. Parents must notify the Director of Programs as soon as they know a drop-in date is needed.

Teachers, in collaboration with the Head of school, build a play-based curriculum that ensures a sound progression of concepts and skills appropriate to each class. Activities reflect the five domains of early childhood learning: social emotional, physical, communication, self-help, and cognitive. Learning centers throughout the classrooms provide exploration and multi-sensory experiences. Most classrooms have a block corner, a dramatic play area, a space for manipulatives, a reading corner, a sensory table, a light table, an art area, and an easel. Each of these spaces further enhances child development through opportunities for communication, social engagement, building and constructing, artistic expression, signing, thematic-integrated units, reading, writing, a language-rich environment, and gross motor play. The teaching teams communicate their goals and activities through weekly projection plans and class newsletters which parents receive electronically and are posted outside the classroom.

Due to health and safety considerations as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, during the 2021-2022 school year, the following specials will be provided on a weekly basis. Specials will occur weekly, for 20-30 minutes.  The length of time will be dependent on the special and the developmental appropriateness for the children. Please see Specials listed below.

Lessons with Mr. Nolan 

NCRC’s Motor Program is based on the brain-body connection and its impact on learning. The kinesthetic curriculum is designed to improve health, learning, and self-regulation through play. Activities that involve practice and repetition are planned to encourage children to solve problems, acquire mastery, and gain confidence. The curriculum progresses developmentally and is implemented by the Motor Teacher with the support of the teaching teams.

Lessons with Ms. Wendy

Our library collection includes children’s books organized by our librarian and parent volunteers. The library is a movable feast for young learners. Books may be borrowed by teachers for their classes and by children for reading at home.

All Students will receive exposure to Spanish language and basic instruction in a format that is designed to facilitate and provide opportunities for practice of key vocabulary and functional language structures (greetings, feelings, requesting, animals, colors, numbers, etc.)

NCRC partners with Levine Music to bring a rich early childhood education music program to our children. Utilizing Levine Music’s Early Childhood Music Curriculum, music teachers provide the children with an understanding of the foundations of music through movement, songs, rhythm, instruments, chants, dance, and poetry.

During the 2021-2022 school year, Music will be provided once weekly by your Levine music teacher.

Due to health and safety considerations as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Vision and Hearing Screenings are suspended for the 2021-2022 school year, and/or until such time that it is deemed safe to conduct the screenings.

Screenings for vision through the Prevention of Blindness Association and hearing screening through Gallaudet University are usually scheduled annually. These screenings are conducted as a part of the school’s commitment to monitor the development and progress of all children. All children participate in the screenings unless a parent submits a written request that their child not participate. Results of the screenings are sent home to parents. The Head of School and the Child Development Team will support parents fully if additional evaluation is appropriate.

Supporting every student and family

The Child Development Team (CDT) is here to support every child, family, and all faculty at NCRC. Specialists on the team include our School Counselor, Occupational Therapist, and Speech-Language Pathologist. These specialists work with all teachers to incorporate language, speech, motor, and social-emotional skill-building practices into the classroom. CDT monitors and supports every student's growth and development through ongoing observations, small group activities, and developmental screening tools. The team meets with teachers frequently throughout the year to collaborate and to discuss ways to support both the strengths and challenges of each individual student. When appropriate, CDT will make referrals for evaluations and therapy. Though team members do not provide individual therapy, they work collaboratively with outside specialists. The Child Development Team is instrumental in providing parent education throughout the year and is always available to talk or meet with parents to answer questions or discuss any issues of concern.

Every child at NCRC is part of our inclusion program. All children benefit from the presence of the professionals on the Child Development Team that support the work done in every classroom. Throughout its history, NCRC has fostered and promoted the education of young children who benefit from additional supports and adaptations such as Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy, Physical Therapy, etc. The Child Development Team plays a key role in providing weekly enrichment groups for children in the Early Beginnings and the Play Pal programs, helping develop Individualized Learning Plans (ILPs) and Action Plans, working intensively with the children, and partnering with teachers and families to address areas of development needing additional support.  

Preschool is for learning through active and creative play. Your child needs washable, comfortable play clothes. Shoes should be sturdy, with non-slip soles, made for running and climbing. Crocs and flip flops should not be worn to school. We suggest selecting clothes that encourage your child to dress independently. When school begins, each child brings a complete change of clothing to be kept on hand for emergencies. Please label all clothing. Our children enjoy playing outdoors even in wet or snowy weather, so please dress your child accordingly. There is a Lost and Found for unlabeled items on the ground floor of the school near the elevator. Items placed in Lost and Found must be claimed within a two-week period.  Unclaimed items will be donated after two weeks.

Every child is required to bring three to five clean, well-fitting masks to school every day. Kindly refer to information shared from your teachers for classroom specific guidance regarding masks.

Sometimes teachers invite children to bring books, toys, or items of interest from home to share with their classmates. Please label personal items and avoid sending anything of great value or sentiment. Otherwise, please help your child remember that toys remain at home.

In accordance with DC health regulations, children in all-day programs are required to rest daily for a period of one hour. Children are permitted to bring a small blanket or towel or a small Beanie Baby sized stuffed toy. Pillow pets, large stuffed animals, and toys from home are not permitted for  rest. Teachers provide books, audio books, and quiet music during rest.  During the 2021-2022 school year, children are not required to wear masks while resting on their cots.

At NCRC your child’s health and safety are of paramount concern to us. The following information will guide you as to the requirements, protocols and procedures related to the health and well-being of your child. Please refer to the NCRC Preschool COVID-19 Guidelines (included in this handbook) for specific guidance around reporting illness and and when it is appropriate for your child to return to school.

Jeanne Romilly has joined NCRC as a School Health Consultant.  Jeanne has spent her Nursing career focused on preventative health and health teaching with a breadth of experiences in clinical nursing, nursing education, nursing administration and most recently, in school health and school nursing. Jeanne holds an undergraduate degree in Nursing from SUNY Binghamton and a graduate degree in Nursing from the Catholic University of America.

The overarching goals for the Consulting Nurse Program are to: 1) ensure that student care is optimally supported, and 2) mitigate risk and exposure for the school on health-related issues.  To that end, Jeanne will fulfill the following critical advisory roles:

• Review current practices and protocols, and recommend best practice improvements;

• Identify gaps in knowledge and develop plans for additional training;

• Meet and/or consult with teachers, and/or parents as needed;

• Review and update medical advisories for communication to families and staff;

• Collaborate on updating Incident Reporting form(s) to capture and track illness clusters;

Jeanne will also review Action Plans and other health related information contained in Magnus, particularly for high risk students.  

 If a child is hurt or becomes ill, we will need to be in touch with you immediately. Please be sure your telephone numbers are up to date and that we can reach a real person, not just a voicemail, in case of an emergency.

The District of Columbia requires that families provide medical information for any child enrolled in school. For your child to attend NCRC, the DC Health Certificate must be on file and updated annually. Children with out of date health or dental certificates will not be allowed to attend classes.

The District of Columbia requires that families provide medical information for any child enrolled in school. For your child to attend NCRC, the DC Health Certificate must be on file and updated annually. Children with out of date health or dental certificates will not be allowed to attend classes.

The Immunization of School Students Act of 1979 states that, “All students entering and attending child care or school in the District of Columbia are required to show documented proof of complete, correctly spaced immunizations, or proof of medical or religious exemption” (DC Law 3-20, and DCMR Title 22, Chapter 1). Please ensure that your child’s immunizations are complete and up to date so they may attend school.

Please refer to the NCRC Preschool COVID-19 Guidelines (included in this handbook) for specific guidance around reporting illness and when it is appropriate for your child to return to school.

If your child or someone in your family is diagnosed with a serious contagious condition, such as strep, conjunctivitis (“pink eye”), or chicken pox, this should be reported immediately to your child’s classroom teachers and to Health@ncrcpreschool.org (Please put “Health Update” in the Subject Line). 

Children may return to school only when the condition is treated and the child is not contagious. NCRC will notify other families in the class of any serious contagious condition. It is imperative that you keep in close communication with NCRC teachers and Health@ncrcpreschool.org if you or any member of your family is sick, as we have members of our school community with compromised immune systems. This is particularly important in the event of:

• Vomiting

• Fever

• Diarrhea

• Lice

• Any diagnosed condition or illness

Should there be the occurrence of a contagious condition in your child’s classroom (strep, flu, chicken pox, etc.,) you will receive an email from Health@ncrcpreschool.org with a Health Advisory that outlines the symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, recovery, return to school and prevention protocol.  

Please let us know when your child is not coming to school. Teachers like to know why your child is out so they can understand your child’s physical and emotional needs when s/he returns to school.

If your child is not feeling well before school, and particularly if s/he has a fever (100.0 degrees Fahrenheit), diarrhea, vomiting, or an upset stomach, please keep your child home. Please follow guidelines as set forth in the NCRC Preschool COVID-19 Guidelines included in this Parent Handbook. A child must be symptom-free and have a normal temperature for 24 hours without the aid of medication before returning to school. 

If your child is hurt or becomes ill while at school, we will need to be in touch with you immediately. Please be sure your telephone numbers are up to date and that we can reach a real person, not just a voicemail, in case of emergency.

Should your child become sick, s/he  will be moved to a comfortable area (The Nook) away from the other children. We will notify you immediately and expect you to make arrangements for picking up your child within 30 minutes of a call. If you are unable to come, you must have an alternate pickup person identified, who can be here within 30 minutes.  In the case of an injury that requires your attention, we will contact you immediately.

We may have members of our school community with compromised immune systems. The school will keep you informed of any special protocols in place. Please remember: do not send your child to school if he/she has a fever (100.0 degrees or greater), or any kind of communicable illnesses, such as chicken pox. This could be harmful to all students, but particularly so for persons with immunocompromising conditions, as they are more susceptible to infection as a result of their treatment.

Parents need to tell the school about specific conditions that may require emergency treatment, such as allergies to foods or bee stings, asthma, or other health concerns. If your child’s situation requires specific emergency treatment or medication, you need to provide detailed instructions with signed permission to administer a specific treatment.

To ensure the safety of all children, NCRC requests ongoing full disclosure of any medication that a child may need to take during the school day.  A current Medication Authorization Form - signed by both the prescribing physician and a parent - must be uploaded to your child’s account in the Magnus Health Forms portal. The prescribed medicine must be provided to NCRC by a parent or caregiver in its original packaging and with its original pharmacy label clearly indicating your child’s name, the name of the medicine, the dosage, expiration date, and the name  and telephone number of the child’s physician. No medicine or treatment other than emergency first aid can be given without this completed form on record.  A faculty member trained in medication administration (MAT) will administer medications and will maintain a medication log recording details such as name of medication, date, time given, and any reactions observed.

Non-prescription medicines or topical ointments can be applied according to the manufacturer's instructions, provided that the parent/guardian has completed the Over the Counter Medication requirement in the Magnus Health Forms Portal. Medication instructions must note how much medication to apply based on the child’s age and weight. This includes diaper cream, sunscreen, insect repellent, and other non-medicated (free from antibiotic, antifungal, or steroidal components) topical ointments designated for child use. All non-prescription medications must be provided in their original containers, labeled with the child’s full name. 

If your child has a food allergy, asthma, seizure disorder, or other medical condition(s) that requires monitoring, it is imperative that we have the appropriate Medical Action Plan (Asthma/Allergy/Seizure, etc. Plan) for his/her care at school. This form must be completed by the physician, signed by the parent, and uploaded to the Magnus Health Forms Portal. Additionally, if your child takes any life-sustaining medications for this condition, please follow the Prescription Medication requirements and instructions outlined above. 

Children are asked to bring a nutritionally balanced snack to school each day.  Snacks should be packed in a non-metal container, and be something the child is able to open and close independently, or with minimal adult assistance.  

Children eating lunch at school should bring their food in a clearly labeled, non-metal, lunch box. Please be cognizant of our goal to teach children about good health and environmental sustainability. NCRC does not heat or refrigerate children’s lunches. 

Be sure to tell your child’s teachers about any food allergies or special diets, in addition to reporting this information on the “Authorization for Child’s Emergency Medical Treatment” form, the “Allergy Action Plan Form,” and in your child’s Vital Health Record in Magnus Health Forms Portal.

Because of an increasing number of life-threatening allergies to all types of nuts, NCRC asks that you refrain from sending any products or items containing nut ingredients to school. Nuts do not have to be ingested to cause a reaction. Swift and severe anaphylactic shock can occur if a child with a nut allergy comes into contact with any nut oils. For students with food allergies, please discuss with your child’s teachers and upload your child’s Allergy Action Plan (as completed by his/her physician) to the Magnus Health Forms Portal. Additional information and helpful suggestions will be sent home to parents of children who bring a lunch to school.

The health and safety of children is of paramount importance. We strive to make our preschool a safe and healthy place for children, parents, faculty, and volunteers. NCRC follows safety precautions and regulations as outlined by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

When a child is hurt at school, parents are notified. Because of our confidentiality practice, if the injury involves another child, the identities of the child and family will not be disclosed.

A child who has physically hurt a peer (bite, punch, kick, etc.) will be removed from the vicinity of other children until, if appropriate, they are ready to rejoin the group. A teacher or other appropriate faculty member will also speak with the child regarding the incident and an alternative plan of action for the future will be developed. Parents will be contacted immediately. Depending on the emotional/behavioral stability of the child, NCRC reserves the right to request that the child be picked up and taken home. If there is a consistent pattern of inappropriate behavior, NCRC faculty in partnership with the Child Development Team will generate strategies in collaboration with the child’s family to help the child manage his or her behavior. At such time, it will be determined if referrals for outside consultants (i.e. behavior specialists, psychologists, etc.) are appropriate. Should a pattern of inappropriate behavior continue, a meeting with parents and NCRC faculty will be held to determine whether additional support beyond the school is necessary to support the child. For a full description of NCRC’s safety policy or any questions regarding this policy, please see the School Counselor.

To ensure a safe and secure environment for students, staff, and visitors, and to prevent the loss of, or damage to school property, NCRC operates a system of CCTV cameras installed throughout the buildings and grounds, as well as an emergency public address system. NCRC retains security video footage for 30 days. Video footage is reviewed only in the event that an illegal or inappropriate activity has been reported or - at the discretion of the Head of School - in the event of an incident involving children or staff.  Video footage is not provided to third parties, except as required by law. 

In addition to the front door intercom/doorbell, there is a self-closing arm on the rear gate at the top of the steps on Ordway Street with an entry control and locking mechanism. The rear gate is locked during school hours (8:45am-3:30pm). For access during school hours, ring the intercom button. To exit, release the gate by pushing the exit button on the exterior Playhouse wall.

A very important part of the preschool experience is helping children learn how to get along in the world. Children benefit from and enjoy being with other children and they learn how to follow the direction of an adult other than their parents. Teachers focus on the positive behaviors of the children and reinforce those behaviors as often as possible.

Behavioral guidance is built on strong teacher-child relationships and is developmentally appropriate, including techniques such as identification of feelings, redirection, brief separation from the problem situation, talking about the situation, and praise for appropriate behavior. Our goal is to help children develop self-management skills.

Children are gently guided toward appropriate behavior by experienced faculty and the Child Development Team. Every child’s developmental level is considered regarding behavioral expectations. Parents are our partners in setting and carrying out behavioral goals, and they are always informed of any concerns and offered support as needed from the School Counselor, Head of School, Assistant Head of School, the Child Development Team, and teachers. Corporal punishment is not used at NCRC.

All adults (faculty, parents, caregivers, and guests) have the responsibility to model respectful and cooperative behavior. Positive and constructive working relationships built on direct and honest communication ensure that the best interests of the children will be maintained in a warm and nurturing community.

Parent/Teacher conferences play an important role in sharing information about your child’s progress in school. We view conferences as a wonderful opportunity to exchange information and to engage your participation in planning educational goals for your child. Your questions or concerns are always welcome. Our teaching teams schedule half-hour parent conferences in early fall and spring. In addition, you are welcome to set up a meeting with the teaching team whenever the need arises. The teaching teams prepare a written progress report for each child at the end of the school year.

School notices such as class news, the Head of School’s communication, and Room Parent communications are sent via email. Additional information from the school about school events, lectures, and other items of interest to parents will be included in the weekly newsletter, Sunday Scoop, which parents are sent via email. Please be on the lookout for this information. 

If you have a comment, question, or concern about classroom practices, please begin by bringing it to the teaching team’s attention. Questions about other aspects of the school should be addressed to the appropriate faculty member. Parents are invited to schedule appointments with the Head of School at any time.

On Back to School Night, teachers present their class schedule, curricular approach, and development goals to families. Classroom news and announcements are distributed weekly via email communication.

Each classroom has a voicemail message box and a classroom email address. These are excellent ways to be in touch with your child’s teachers. Often, teachers will not have an opportunity to check their voicemail or email until the end of the day. If your message requires immediate attention, please let the School’s Office Manager know. In addition, teachers may be contacted by email according to the guidelines set by the classroom teachers.

Parents also can pin notes to the outside of the child’s bag to communicate information to classroom teachers.

The growth and expansion of “social networking” technology provides multiple ways for people to connect. It also creates the potential to impact work and social relationships, and can possibly raise conflict of interest, unequal treatment, discrimination, or similar concerns. NCRC’s policy prohibits faculty from initiating or accepting “friend” requests from current or prospective parents.

NCRC includes images of students on the website and social media as well as on marketing, advancement, and professional development materials. Indicate your preferences in the NCRC Photo Permissions Form available online on Magnus Health.

Parent participation in the classroom and school activities is encouraged at NCRC. Parents and grandparents are invited to participate in classroom activities by sharing a special book, a family tradition, or a personal skill. Please schedule visits with the teachers so a convenient time can be arranged. In addition, special events are held for grandparents throughout the school year. Notification is sent via email. To verify whether a grandparent is on the email communication list, please contact the Advancement Office. 

Classroom Parent email groups are not to be used for non-school-related communications, (i.e. party invitations, solicitations, marketing of goods and services, playdates, sports teams, etc.)

There are no organized class gifts for faculty at the holidays. Showing your gratitude in any way that you deem appropriate is appreciated, but it is not required. Giving gifts is a personal and individual choice for parents. An end-of the-year class gift for teachers is coordinated by room parents from remaining Activity Fee funds.

All visitors to the school must sign in and out at the Front Office. Visitors will be given a badge to wear on campus. We welcome families and friends to our classrooms. Please make arrangements in advance with the teachers. At this time we are not permitting visitors to the school. Please see the COVID-19 Guidelines for more information.

Any parent or guardian of a child enrolled at NCRC has access to the child’s student record. If you wish to review your child’s record, please contact the Head of School’s office. The school will not disclose information concerning an individual child or the child’s parent(s) or guardian(s) to persons other than the school faculty or government officials acting in the course of their duties, unless the parent(s) or guardian(s) grant written permission for disclosure, or unless disclosure is necessary in an emergency situation. 

During the year, teaching teams prepare recommendations for children applying to ongoing schools. Recommendations are sent only to schools specified by the parents. These recommendations are confidential and are not part of a child’s student record.

Many factors guide class placement while we intentionally consider the needs of each child within the composition of the overall class. Each child is placed in a class for the school year based on her/ his educational and developmental needs and according to our school’s licensing and age requirements. We seek to balance gender, ethnic, racial and economic diversity, age span, and personality characteristics in each class. These factors combined with the recommendations of teachers and the Child Development Team determine the class assignments at NCRC. Class placements are shared with teachers and parents only once finalized in mid to late August.

Siblings applying to NCRC are given priority in the Admissions process. Applications for siblings of current and returning NCRC families must be received by November 15 to be given sibling preference. Applications received after November 15 will be placed in the general applicant pool.

The Admissions Committee considers numerous factors involved in  placement to ensure a balanced classroom. Class placements focus on a child's developmental needs and we strive to create classes that reflect the NCRC community. The Admissions Committee will do their best to work with each family's needs, while ensuring a balanced classroom for the children within the applicant pool.

For families who applied during the sibling priority period, placement notification is shared with sibling families in early February. Enrollment Agreements for siblings will be issued to families in early February with the details of the child's program placement. We cannot guarantee morning or afternoon placement. 

Applicants need to be 2 years old by August 1. Sibling applicants whose birthday falls between August 1 and the first day of school should reach out to the Admissions Team directly.

The Board of Trustees is responsible for governance of the school through creating and implementing a strategic plan, establishing and monitoring the budget, enacting policies, and supporting advancement programs. Board members are primarily current or former school parents who serve a three-year term. Current Board members are listed in this handbook and on the school’s website. Questions or suggestions about the Board of Trustees should be directed to the Board Chair.

All fundraising activities are governed by the mission, policies, and strategic plan of the Board of Trustees; and by the practices and procedures of the Board’s Advancement Committee and the Advancement Office. Fundraising campaigns and community-building events are usually scheduled well in advance and carefully spaced throughout the school year. New ideas or suggestions are welcomed and should be directed to the Chair of the Advancement Committee and/ or the Director of Advancement.

The Parent Association (PA) plays an active role in the life of the school. The PA organizes special events (such as Family Work Day, Pumpkin Party, Pajama Picnic, Cookie Social, and Faculty Appreciation Luncheon), coordinates the room parent program, and seeks to incorporate your talents and energies into the life of the school. Participation in PA activities benefits your child and the school. The PA Participation Form and more information are available online at ncrcpreschool.org. All parents are members of the Parent Association.

The School Calendar can be found at ncrcpreschool.org and is included in this handbook/directory. Key dates such as faculty professional days, parent conferences, vacations, and Parent Association events (e.g. Auction, Pumpkin Party, and Pajama Picnic) are set prior to the beginning of the school year. Anyone proposing additional school-wide events should discuss the proposal with the Head of School and, if appropriate, the Chair of the Board of Trustees, and/or the Parent Association President.

Due to health and safety considerations as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, during the 2021-2022 school year, teachers will coordinate with parents to join the celebration virtually, and read a special book to the class for their child's birthday. Parents may  send to school  the  book(s)  read for their child’s birthday and  donate that book to the library. A birthday plate with their child’s name and age will be placed in the book and added to our library collection. In addition, each classroom has designed its own birthday celebration tradition. NCRC asks families not to send in food of any kind.

Special holidays, patriotic, and religious days are discussed as part of the school curriculum. Secular aspects and historical facts are presented. Parents are invited to share information and participate in classroom activities on these occasions. Parents should speak with classroom teachers prior to the occasion to ensure that activities are developmentally appropriate.

Professional development for faculty is an important part of NCRC’s mission. Faculty members participate in workshops and attend lectures on a variety of topics related to early childhood education and curriculum development. Days set aside for faculty professional development during the year are included on the school calendar. Please mark these days in your calendar. Professional Development days are scheduled either for full or half-days. Children do not attend when Professional Development is a full day. On half-days, the school schedule is modified for Treetop and Explorer classes and either the AM or PM classes are cancelled.

NCRC may open late or close early due to inclement weather conditions or other unforeseen emergencies. Parents will be notified of school closings and late openings via email, an emergency announcement on the school’s website, and via push notification from the NCRC mobile app. When school is closed, the main phone line voicemail will also carry the message.

NCRC’s mission includes our commitment to a diverse, respectful community. The school’s definition of diversity includes socio-economic diversity. NCRC provides a need-based Tuition Assistance Program. We encourage any family who may benefit from ANY LEVEL of tuition assistance to consider applying. Any Tuition Assistance award is based on the family's financial reports coupled with the overall availability of NCRC’s Tuition Assistance Program funds. NCRC's goal is to optimally support all qualifying families with the fund resources available.

On the evening of the Tuition Assistance Auction, we express our appreciation for the mission and values of our preschool as we gather with the entire NCRC community (adults only) in a spirit of joy and celebration. All proceeds from the Auction are dedicated to tuition assistance. Families interested in Tuition Assistance should contact the Tuition Assistance Coordinator for information and a copy of NCRC’s tuition assistance policy.

NCRC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, national origin (including English Language Learners), age, disability, genetic information, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other protected characteristic in the administration of its educational policies, admission policies, tuition assistance, or any other school-administered programs.