Early Learning and Out of School Programs

MCCSC Early Learning classrooms use the Creative Curriculum when planning developmentally appropriate lessons. This curriculum is research-based, hands-on, and focuses on using play as the best model of learning. Students experience a variety of free-choice and structured play through 10 learning centers. Learning centers align with Indiana’s Early Learning Standards.

You will become familiar with your student’s daily schedule very quickly. Daily schedules are posted in each classroom and will be included in newsletters sent home from teachers and staff. Daily classroom routines and procedures will be consistent while remaining flexible to meet the needs of the students. Students will participate in free-choice and planned activities in the areas of:

• Language and literacy
• Math, science, and technology
• Music, movement, and art
• Fine and gross motor skills

MCCSC Early Learning classrooms will have a daily rest time. Students will be allowed to fall asleep and wake naturally. Students who choose not to sleep will be given quiet activities during this time. Toddler, Preschool, and Pre-K students are encouraged to bring one blanket and one comfort item from home for nap time. These items are kept in the student’s cubby and are sent home periodically to be laundered.

All students will participate in daily outside playground or recess time. Outdoor time is held, weather permitting, and students should dress accordingly for the weather. Coats, hats and gloves will be needed for cold weather days. 

All classrooms are led by staff who meet the educational requirements for their position. Additional teaching staff assist in classrooms, keeping with state-regulated, staff-child ratios. Background checks are conducted, and annual health and safety updates are maintained. Teaching staff also participate in continued professional development to further their growth as educators. 

All MCCSC schools are locked buildings with a video entry system. In order to enter the building, families will be required to ring the video monitor to gain access. All staff have a picture ID badge to gain entry into the building.

School supplies for your student are provided by MCCSC for the school year. You will be asked to provide your student with a personal water bottle and a change of clothes.

MCCSC’s school-based classrooms use the app, ParentSquare to keep families informed of important school events. Additionally, families and teachers may communicate at pick-up and drop-off times. We ask that these conversations remain brief, as the teacher’s responsibility remains on supervising the children in their care. If you need to address specific concerns, please ask to schedule a time to meet outside the classroom.

Students in school-based Preschool and Pre-K can bring lunch from home, or breakfast and lunch may be purchased through the MCCSC Food Services Department. Money can be added to your student’s personal account by visiting mccscschoolmenus.com. Free or reduced meal options are available for qualifying families. Families may qualify for this service by completing an application at mccscschoolmenus.com. An afternoon snack is provided for all school-based Preschool and Pre-K students.

MCCSC offers bus transportation for students in the 4-year-old Pre-K program. Families interested in utilizing this service should indicate their interest upon enrollment or by calling your student’s school office. Pre-K students will ride in seats specifically designed for small children. An adult with be asked to board the bus with your student and assist in buckling the student into their assigned seat.

MCCSC Early Learning Discipline Guidelines

The early years of a child’s life are important for the development of foundational learning, including the social-emotional skills that support children getting along with one another, building friendships, and cooperating with other children and adults. Adverse behaviors are typically the result of a child’s misunderstanding of how to accomplish a specific goal in a socially acceptable manner, or a child’s inability to exert control over emotions. In the classroom, we support children’s use of socially acceptable problem-solving skills by:

• Setting up an environment with clearly communicated expectations and rules
• Teaching problem-solving skills
• Actively supporting children’s use of positive problem-solving skills in action
• Acknowledging, labeling, and accepting children’s emotions
• Teaching self-calming strategies
• Redirecting children to appropriate activities

If misbehaviors become extreme, are ongoing, or putting other children or staff in danger, early learning staff will take the following steps to help the child engage safely with others:

• Meet privately with the child’s family to discuss the behavior concerns and to formulate a plan of action to meet the needs of the child.
• Utilize school/center leadership and/or behavior specialists to observe in the classroom in order to determine the cause/function/triggers for the behavior, and to create an action plan that can be taken to minimize the causes of the behaviors. This action plan will include positive behavior strategies such as modifying the environment, or changing the daily schedule.
• If the behaviors are thought to be related to a developmental delay or other special need, teachers and families will work together to seek assessment and intervention.

It is the goal of MCCSC to limit or eliminate the use of suspension, expulsion, and other exclusionary measures. Due to the regulatory requirement to maintain specific child/staff ratios, temporary exclusion may occur if a child requires one-on-one support to maintain safety and offering such support prevents the program from meeting the ratio. Permanent exclusion is only considered after all other possible interventions have been exhausted and there is agreement that removal from the program is in the best interest of the child. If it is determined that a child must be permanently excluded from the program, early learning staff will aid the family in accessing services and alternative placements.

This policy is in compliance with federal and state civil rights laws.

MCCSC’s partner Pre-K providers include:

• Bloomington Center for Global Children
• Bloomington Developmental Learning Center
• New Hope Early Learning Center
• Penny Lane Child Care
• Indiana University Bloomington
  • Campus Children’s Center
  • Hoosier Courts Nursery School

Families must contact partner providers to inquire about programming.

Health Statement

Note from Health Services:

Good school attendance is vital to academic success. In efforts to keep all students healthy, please see the below general guidelines for guidance on illnesses and school attendance.

Students should not come to school with:

• Fever: higher than 100.4 orally. Child may return to school when temperature has been normal for 24 hours without the use of medication.
• Any inflammatory eye condition with a mucous discharge – especially redness of eyes associated with any mucous discharge, swelling, or eyes that are matted shut in the morning.
• Rash with open sores or blisters – unless child has note from the doctor stating rash is not contagious.
• Vomiting. Student should be vomit free for 24 hours.
• Diarrhea. Student should be diarrhea free for 24 hours.
• Open sores that have a crusty appearance.
• Head Lice: If your child has head lice, contact your school’s health office. After treating your child’s hair to kill the live lice and removing eggs from the hair, students need to be seen by the health aide, health aide plus (LPN), or travel school nurse (RN) before returning to school. Consult your child’s physician for treatment options and guidance. Your child may not ride the bus or return to school until cleared by the health aide, health aide plus (LPN), or travel school nurse (RN). MCCSC Lice guidelines may be found on the MCCSC website.

All Schools Closed/eLEARNING: 

School-Based Preschool and Pre-K Programs: If MCCSC is closed or moves to an eLearning day due to winter weather conditions, all Early Learning programs are closed.

All Schools Delayed: 

School-Based Preschool and Pre-K Programs: If MCCSC operates on a two-hour delay, morning-only Preschool and Pre-K are canceled. Full-day Preschool and Pre-K will begin two hours after the normal start time.

All Schools Dismissed Early: 

School-Based Preschool and Pre-K Programs: If MCCSC announces an early dismissal, Early Learning programs will be dismissed at that end time.