Christian Day School

 Quality early childhood development for toddlers begins with a hands-on approach and plenty of opportunities for free-choice and independent learning. At Mt. Airy Christian Day School, our teachers will lovingly guide your toddler through their earliest developmental milestones while singing, dancing, and playing.  Your toddler’s busy day will include plenty of free play and quiet time.  Time will be devoted to enrichment programs, special activities, and learning simple Spanish words. We keep families informed with Daily Reports and weekly lesson plans on the classroom’s Parent Board. Your child’s developmental progress will be assessed on an on-going basis using progress reports.

 Active learning for children; warm, supportive adult-child interaction; a welcoming, child-oriented learning environment; schedules and routines that flow with the children; daily child observation that guides caregivers’ interactions with children, caregivers’ teamwork, caregiver-parent partnerships, and program planning; and ongoing and valid assessment of children and programs to ensure that program goals to support early  learning and deliver high-quality services are being met. Child must be fully potty trained.

• Teachers and children engaged in supportive and encouraging learning interactions.
• Hands-on explorations that create new learning connections in language, math, science, social/emotional, and physical development.
• Children investigating “Big Ideas” and actively seeking answers to their questions.
• Rich conversations between teachers and children.
• Intentional daily plans covering a wide range of standards-based objectives (Ask to see them!) that take your child’s interests and needs into account.
• Opportunities to explore basic skills and concepts that are appropriate for your child’s specific developmental level and which will ensure school readiness. Child must be fully potty trained.

 Mt. Airy Christian Day School utilizes the  Into Reading curriculum. The instructional materials Into Reading,  meet the expectations of alignment and usability. Texts included in the program are high quality and engaging, as well as appropriately rigorous and organized to support knowledge building. The materials include questions, tasks, lessons, and practice that support students' development of reading, writing, speaking and listening, and beginning to think critically. 

 The materials include appropriately rigorous, high quality texts that are the focus of students' reading, writing, speaking and listening, and language practice. The materials are organized to support knowledge building and vocabulary, and include implementation supports for teachers to assure students meet grade level goals.  

Mt. Airy Christian Day School is licensed by the Department of Human Services and Pennsylvania Department of Education and follows the state’s early learning standards. We use the Pennsylvania Early Learning Standards for infant and Toddlers, Pennsylvania Early Learning Standards for Pre-Kindergarten, and Pennsylvania Early Learning Standards for Kindergarten to guide curriculum and lesson planning decisions. We also participate in the Keystone STARS Certification Program, designed to evaluate and improve the quality of child care. The program offers Standards, Training, Assistance, Resources and Support (STARS) to child care providers and recognizes the continuous quality improvement efforts of early learning programs in Pennsylvania.

We are redefining how far childcare providers can go. Our educational philosophy is age-appropriate, developmentally appropriate and child-directed. Your child will learn through play and will be given the freedom to make choices that help to foster independence. 

Our  Kindergarten program are aligned with the curriculum of public school Kindergarten programs and are designed to prepare your child to transition easily to a public or private school environment.

 FREE high-quality prek early care and education services (PHLprek) to families and young children in partnership with the Office of Children and Families. PHLprek is available to 3 and 4-year-olds in the City of Philadelphia. Child must be fully potty trained.You are likely eligible to enroll if you meet the requirements listed below.

1. Your child has turned 3 or 4 by September 1st of the school year.
2. You are a resident of Philadelphia

*There are no income or employment requirements

How to Apply

STEP 1

Complete the online interest form HERE

STEP 2

Once contacted, you must complete the required enrollment forms which include

PHLpreK App. 23-2024

Emergency Contact Form

Child Health Assessment Form

• Proof of age (birth certificate, a valid US passport, a social security card, or medical or school records)
• Proof of residency (a state-issued ID or driver’s license, a voter ID, a current lease or rental agreement, a social security award letter)

STEP 3

Return all completed forms and schedule a tour with us.

 Countless studies show quality pre-K improves children's chances of success in school and in life.

PIC partners with Pennsylvania to offer its Pre-K Counts program. The program provides 5 hours of no cost pre-kindergarten education for eligible children ages 3-5 (Child must be fully potty trained) the school year (September-June.)

• High quality preschool at no charge to families.
• A healthy snack and warm lunch provided daily.
• Monday – Friday, 6-hour class day from 8:30 to 3 pm.
• Options for before care 7am-8:30am, or extended day child care until 5 pm (for an additional fee).
• CCW funded extended day for eligible families.
• Private pay extended day.

Eligibility to receive Pre-K Counts funding is based on your family’s size and income. To be eligible to receive Pre-K Counts funding, your total annual family income must be less than 300% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.

• We accept applications year-round.
• Children must be at least three-years-old before September 1st to apply to the Pre-K Counts program.
• Enrollment decisions for the upcoming school year are made during the spring.
• Priority is based on age, income, and other risk factors that include dual language learners and developmental delays.

• Complete the application

Submit with App.

• Child's birth certificate
• Driver's license or government-issued ID
• Verification of residence
• 3 most recent pay stubs, W-2 or most current filed 1040 tax form
• CCW waiting list or acceptance letter (if applicable)
  

We will review your documents and contact you about your eligibility and next steps in the enrollment process. If you do not receive an email from us, please get in touch with the Enrollment Office by phone at 215-276-2990 or send an email to macdsdirector4@gmail.com 

Take a tour
Once you have submitted your application, you can schedule a tour of the Center. Please note that your application status is pending until you tour the school. Once you have taken a tour, you will be placed on our waiting list.

Waiting list
Once you have taken a tour, you are placed on our waiting list. Please note that your application status is pending until you tour our center.

A family's wait for enrollment may vary. Priority is based on age, income, and other risk factors that include dual language learners and developmental delays.

After submitting your application for enrollment:

• Check in with us every two months to express your continued interest in enrollment and to remain active on our waiting list.
• Please let us know if you make other child care arrangements so we have an accurate number of families who are waiting for enrollment.

STEP 1

Complete the online interest form HERE

STEP 2

Once contacted, you must complete the required enrollment forms which include

PreK Counts App. 23-2024

Emergency Contact Form

Child Health Assessment Form

• Child's birth certificate
• W2 or 1040 tax form and 3 pay stubs
• Photo ID or Driver's license of parent/guardian
• Bill with current address
• Child's current health physical
• Child's immunization record
• Child's medical insurance card

STEP 3

Return all completed forms and schedule a tour with us.

Parents are the voice for their children. Come join a group of wonderful men and women helping to better our school. From “Funraisers” to family activities.  PTO meets every third Wednesday of each month. Contact the office for further informatio.

Primp and Pamper/ Cutz for Gents

November 16 from 11-1pm @ Dobbins Technical Highschool. Tickets on sale for $15.

Have free time? Have a talent that you would like to share? Schedule a visit with our office and we can help you submit your clearances and get you started.