Montclair Mini-Mounties

ceel children center playing

Mini-Mounties is Montclair Public Schools’ tuition-free preschool program, funded through the New Jersey Preschool Expansion Grant. This program is for Montclair residents who applied through the district lottery. The program provides high-quality early childhood education at schools and community-based sites throughout Montclair, helping young learners build a strong foundation for future success. The Ben Samuels Children’s Center proudly participates as a Mini-Mounties preschool provider.
 

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BSCC Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions about the Mini-Mounties program at Ben Samuels Children’s Center:

All Mini-Mounties Pre-K classrooms have a maximum of 15 children, a full-time teacher and an assistant.

Our Mini-Mounties school day runs from 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM. Extended/wrap-around care is available at an additional cost.

Morning care: 7:30-8:30 AM $225.00 per month
Aftercare: 2:30-6:00 PM $700.00 per month (this option includes before care)
Abbreviated school days are included for students enrolled in the Wrap Around Care program.

All Mini Mounties Pre-k classrooms will follow the Montclair Public School calendar including start and end dates, vacations, professional development days for staff, abbreviated days and school closures for weather or emergencies. Abbreviated school days are included for students enrolled in Wrap Around Care. When MPS is closed and BSCC is open, add on days are available at an additional cost. Add on days are not included in wrap around care.

Parents/caregivers can provide lunch each day for their child or they can participate in the Mini Mounties School Breakfast/Lunch Program through the Montclair Public Schools (MPS). Families who qualify for free and reduced school lunch will fill out the form with the Montclair School District. Breakfast and/or lunch will be delivered daily. Families who choose to pay for school lunch delivery will create an account with MPS’s school lunch program and select the lunch items of their choice to be delivered.
Families provide snacks. If your child is enrolled in aftercare, you would provide two snacks.

All MSU-Ben Samuels Children’s Center preschool classrooms use the HighScope curriculum. The HighScope preschool curriculum is an educational approach that emphasizes active learning and hands-on experiences for young children. Developed in the 1960s, it is based on the belief that children learn best through active engagement with their environment and encourages a child’s initiative and decision-making. The play-based curriculum includes a daily routine, key developmental areas, and the use of a plan-do-review process to foster a child’s intellectual, social, and emotional growth.

All BSCC preschool teachers have a State of New Jersey in Early Childhood Education, P-3 Certification.

All classrooms at BSCC will follow a similar schedule including daily outside time, center time, lunch and rest/nap. Every family will be included in all school and community events, fundraisers and celebrations.

The schedule includes daily year-round outdoor time in all types of weather. Children enrolled in aftercare will also go out in the afternoon as well.

There will be tuition-based opportunities for students to attend the Center in the summer. BSCC offers full month programs for July, August or both July and August.