The Mary Evans Child Development Center is an award-winning, full-time Early Childhood Program is open 50 weeks a year from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm. There are openings beginning in June, for summer and continuing into the school year, or beginning in late August and continuing through the school year.
Spaces are available for five days, three days, or two days a week. Children transition from the toddler program, into the Preschool class, as they reach the appropriate age and developmental readiness.
MECDC Covid-19 Policy 2022-2023
Toddler class
Children 18 months to 33-36 months (transitions are planned individually)
Preschool classes
Children entering these classes must be at least 2 years, 9 months old and toilet-trained. In these classroom communities, children stay with the same teachers until they move on to kindergarten. The 3-5 year old age span allows for a wide range of interaction among children. Small group activities within the classroom are grouped by age.
Kindergarten
A fully certified kindergarten for children who are 5 years old by September 30 and ready for kindergarten; the days and times of this program differ slightly from the preschool classes. The school day itself is 8:30 am-3:30 pm, and extended care for children is available before and after the class session. Children who have attended this kindergarten have gone on to several of the area school districts with great success. Our kindergarten teacher Terra Gardner teaches a class size no larger than 12 children.
Teachers and Enrollment Ratios
The majority of MECDC teachers have at least a Bachelor’s or Associate degree in Early Childhood Education. All staff participate in ongoing continuing education. All teachers are trained in First Aid, CPR, recognition of communicable diseases and child abuse prevention. There are currently ten toddler spaces taught by three teachers (ratio 1:3.5); one preschool classroom with 22 preschool spaces, taught by three teachers (ratio 1:7); and 14 kindergarten spaces with one kindergarten certified teacher. We are always under the state maximum which states toddlers (ratio 2:12) and preschoolers (ratio 1:12).
Tuition
Upon enrollment, parents are required to sign a tuition agreement, which defines tuition policies and payments. The Tuition Agreement covers a specific time period (12 months, school year, summer only, etc.). The tuition amount is then divided into equal payments for your convenience. These payments do not represent specific weeks and credit is not given for holidays or vacation time.