More complete information is available in the School Handbook. Please reach out to us at communications@dcpkids.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.
Please bring an extra mask and a full change of clothes. Preschoolers should also bring a fresh, labeled water bottle each day, and lunch if they attend an afternoon session. A backpack or small bag to keep in their cubby is a great idea!
Our teachers guide students with thematic experiences throughout the school year. Here is a typical day:
Preschool Morning Schedule
9:00-9:15 Preschool drop-off time at classroom entrance
9:15 Class begins
9:15-9:45 Circle
9:45-10:15 Free Choice
10:15-10:45 Outside time and Snack time
10:45-11:30 Free Choice
11:30-11:45 Closing Circle/end of day
11:45 Pick-up at classroom entrance
Preschool Afternoon Schedule
11:45-12:00 Preschool drop-off time at classroom entrance
12:00-12:30 Lunch and free work period
12:30-1:00 Circle
1:00-2:00 Free work period (Learning stations, Outside play)
2:00-2:10 Closing circle time
2:15 Pick-up at classroom entrance
Toddler Time Schedule
9:20-9:30 Toddler Time drop-off at classroom entrance
9:30 Class begins
9:30-9:45 Arrival and free play
9:45-10:00 Circle time
10:00-10:15 Snack time
10:15-11:15 Free play
11:15-11:30 Closing circle time and pick-up at classroom entrance
DCP will prepare a volunteer schedule prior to the beginning of the school year. If you are unable to volunteer on your scheduled day, it is your responsibility to contact another parent in the class (see member roster) and make arrangements to swap volunteer days. It is your responsibility to note changes to your scheduled dates online via the Sign Up Genius form and the hard copy posted onsite at the school.
Please call the office at 740-369-7808 or email communications@dcpkids.com to report an absence.
Because some children may have life-threatening reactions to certain food items, please do not provide any snack items with milk, nuts, or peanuts. All snacks must remain in original packaging, sealed and opened on-site. Please be sure to bring cutlery if your snack requires it.
For Toddler Time, pre-packaged/boxed snacks will be served by the teacher/volunteer. Toddler time students will have water provided during snack. Healthy suggestions for Toddler Time:
For Preschool, individual pre-packaged snacks are acceptable, as this group is capable of opening their own snack. Preschoolers are to bring their own water bottle each day. Snack is to be provided by the morning Preschool volunteer. Healthy suggestions for Preschool:
Written requests from parents for special diets due to cultural, religious, or health reasons should be brought to the attention of the teacher(s).
DCP will follow the Delaware Public Health District's guidelines for quarantine after exposure.
DCP will also follow ODJFS protocol for notifying members of transmission, as in the case of any communicable disease.
Our General Membership Meetings are once every few months and provide a forum for all members to gather, exchange ideas, vote on current issues, and collaborate on plans for the future. At least one active member from each family is required to attend.
A session = a school day! (Though DCP offers both morning and afternoon sessions on Tuesday and Thursday.) Some families enroll for a single session, and others enroll for multiple sessions each week. This range of options allows for families with vastly different schedules to be part of our community.
Aside from what you'll get to experience as a classroom volunteer, our monthly newsletters include information about what toddlers and preschoolers have been working on at DCP. In addition, Preschool families will receive information via Bloomz, a platform that allows teachers to share periodic updates about their class.
Our cooperative is shaped by - and thrives on - parent engagement. If you have any particular talent or interest you'd like to share, please email us at communications@dcpkids.com or speak to a teacher or board member directly. If you'd like to know more about serving on the board, please feel free to reach out and/or join any of our meetings (calendar here).
A material "wish list" can be found here. We also welcome all parent feedback and participation in committee and board discussions--come and help us be better!