Mountain Lakes Country Day School

We provide quality care for Infants, ages 6 weeks to 18 months; Toddlers, ages 18 to 36 months; Preschoolers, ages 3 to 4 years; and Pre-K, ages 4 to 6 years. Classrooms are broken down by age group, and activities are planned for small groups based on the principles of developmentally appropriate practices.

Parents may choose between the following half, partial, full or extended-day programs based on a 2, 3, 4 or 5-day week:

8:00 am – 12:00 pm HALF DAY (18 mths & up)
8:30 am – 3:00 pm PARTIAL DAY (18 mths & up)
7:30 am – 6:00 pm FULL DAY (All ages)
7:00 am – 6:00 pm EXT DAY (All ages)

The center is open all year with limited closings for holidays and staff training.

The infant program, ages 6 weeks to 18 months, is limited to 12 children with 4 caregivers. Our infant staff concentrates on nurturing and caring for each individual child and provides them with loving attention. In our infant classroom, there are primary caregivers who care for the same children on a daily basis.

Through play, your child will experience art, science, music and movement while learning skills in language, social interaction, creative expression and physical fitness. Tracking sheets are sent home with your child each day listing all daily feedings, diaper changes, sleep times and activities. Infants are provided with a clean, safe and rich environment so they can crawl, cuddle, stand and play freely while enjoying a variety of active and quiet activities during their day.

Since our center is a member of the Coalition of Infant/Toddler Educators (C.I.T.E.), each caregiver is required to attend periodic workshops or conferences on various components of Infant/Toddler care to keep abreast of the latest in developmentally appropriate practices.

The Toddler program is made up of children 18 to 36 months of age. Through play, your child will experience art, science, music and movement while learning skills in language, social interaction, creative expression and physical fitness. Each Toddler classroom is limited to 15 children with one Lead Teacher and two assistants.

Activities in the Toddler classrooms are geared to meet the unique developmental needs of each child. Children are encouraged to choose their own materials, to experiment and to create their own projects. While being read to, talked to and listened to by teachers and others in the classroom, children are developing language skills and learn to express themselves through their words rather than their actions.

Through small group play, children will develop strong social skills such as cooperation, problem solving, respect for others, leadership, etc. Math and spacial skills are also obtained through play with things such as blocks, small manipulatives, cooking, drawing, gardening and discovery activities.

At 3 years of age, children can join our Preschool program. This program offers hands-on, developmentally appropriate curriculum for three to four year olds. We offer a well-rounded variety of independent and group learning times.

All children experience opportunities such as socialization, reading, math, experimental science, arts & crafts, cooking, multicultural experiences, stories, songs, music activities, outdoor play and computers.

MLCDS utilizes Teaching Strategies Creative Curriculum, an early education curriculum that is designed by child development theorists and is based on current research as to how children learn. The curriculum is designed to be a blueprint for the teachers to plan and implement a developmentally appropriate program for our students.

Through hands-on small group activities, children will develop strong academic skills, problem solving, beginning reading, writing, math and science, self-confidence, respect for others and leadership.

At 4 years of age, children can enroll in our Pre-K program. Pre-K offers hands-on, developmentally appropriate curriculum for four and five year olds. We offer a well-rounded variety of independent, individual and group learning times.

All children will experience opportunities such as socialization, reading, math, experimental science, arts & crafts, cooking, multicultural experiences, stories, songs, music activities, outdoor play and computers.

Through hands-on large and small group activities, children will develop strong academic skills in the areas of math, problem solving, beginning reading, writing, self-confidence, respect for others and leadership.