Preschool (Ages 2.5 to young 4 year olds)

Preschool This program is the beginning experience for young children who enroll at Greenbelt Children's Center. Children are immersed in a nurturing and print rich environment, with an emphasis on social skills and individualized learning. Teachers plan for a wide variety of experiences in all domains: Language and Literacy, Mathematical Thinking, Scientific Thinking, Social Studies, Physical Development, Personal and Social Skills and The Arts. Lesson plans are posted weekly so that parents are aware of all the planned activities, including weekly cooking projects and Show and Tell. We have found this to be an important communication tool for parents to help in discussing the experiences with your pre-school child at the end of the day. Activities are developmentally appropriate, learning through play, teacher directed and self selected activities. Children select Lending Library books that are signed out for parents to read at home and then return. Child assessment utilizes the Work Sampling System of observation and child portfolio development and Parent-Teacher conferences are offered twice per year. Extra programs your pre-school child will participate in include Spanish Language Classes, Music Instruction, Physical Education Instruction and an artist in residency program with Wolftrap for the Performing Arts, all included at no extra fee. The staff to child ratio is 1 teacher per every 6 children. Breakfast and afternoon snacks are served as well as the milk at lunch time, parents pack lunches from home. For information on enrollment and registration, please visit our Registration page.

Visit the MSDE's Healthy Beginnings website to find valuable information about childcare and child development, as well as fun, developmentally appropriate activities that build young children’s skills and promote all kinds of learning.

NEW FOR 2010-2011:
Grant funding supports families
accepted into the Pre-Kindergarten
Program with breakfast and a 40% discount on the weekly tuition!

Pre-Kindergarten

This program is for children who turn four by September 1st of the year entering Pre-Kindergarten. The program in Room 1 has enjoyed a special partnership with the Prince George's County Public School System through a Judith P. Hoyer Grant from the Maryland State Department of Education. In addition to the same parameters as the pre-school program (see above), this classroom will enjoy going on field trips, taking home Back Pack At-Home Activities to do with parent and will participate in a drama and literacy program with InterAct Story Theatre. The Houghton Mifflin Curriculum is used in addition to Hugs & Tugs and other supplements, such as a classroom subscription to "Weekly Reader Pre-K" by Weekly Reader. Children in this program use a Management Board to plan for their daily work in the classroom learning centers. Two GCC Pre-K Teachers and a full time public school teacher from Greenbelt Elementary School work together providing a print rich and nurturing environment and were featured in a story by USA Today in December 2007. For information on enrollment and registration, please visit our Registration page.

Alternative Kindergarten/Pre-Kindergarten

Alternative K/Pre Kindergarten This program is for children turning 4 or 5 years old by September 1st of the year entering the program. Children in Classroom 3 enjoy all of the same activities mentioned in the two descriptions above plus use the Houghton Mifflin Reading Curriculum and Scott Foresman -Addison Wesley Mathematics Curriculum. Children in this classroom receive very individualized interactions with teachers due to the small group environment. Children in this program use a Management Board to plan for their daily work in the classroom learning centers. Work samples sent home for you to view will have "At-home" activities for you to do with your child. Your child will be also build skills through participation in shared writing and interactive writing experiences. Your child receives a classroom subscription to Scholastic "Let's Find Out". Your child turning five years old at the beginning of the year receives a certificate of attendance at the completion of the school year that shows proof of their alternative kindergarten experience for entry into the first grade for the next school year. For information on enrollment and registration, please visit our Registration page.

Before & After School Program

Your school-age child attending Greenbelt Elementary School in the first through third grade is offered a relaxing, creative, and social environment, taking into consideration the length of the academic school day that the children have attended. After school activities include snack time, outdoor play, homework help, cooperative games, arts and crafts and age appropriate board games, in addition to classroom learning centers. Activities also include Adventures in Peacemaking and Conflict Resolution to support the children in developing valuable problem solving skills. Parents are expected to support the program's expectations that children will solve problems using words. Parents can reserve extra care on days when public school is closed and GCC is open, for a nominal fee. For information on enrollment and registration, please visit our Registration page.

Summer Camp Program

Swimming at the pool Your child will have the opportunity to participate in an enriching summer program during the weeks that public school is closed. Planned activities include special weekly themes and special events such as Funtastic Fitness, Mad Science, Catriona's Castle, a Family Night Potluck dinner with children's entertainers and pony rides. Summer Activity Plans are posted to keep you informed of the daily activities of arts and crafts, science and nature, story time, group games, outdoor play as well as weekly cooking projects and reading for recreation Your child will go swimming every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday as part of the regular program and you may sign your child up for optional swimming lessons with the Greenbriar Pool. Tuition is charged only for the weeks that you reserve in your written reservation schedule. A weekly non-refundable Summer Activity Fee is submitted with your schedule in advance and covers the additional staff and lifeguard hired to make swimming a safe activity as well as the budget for the enriching special event programs.

Parent Testimonials

June 6, 2011 Testimonial

April 11, 2011
Dear Mrs. Gee & the Staff of Greenbelt Children’s Center:
     I just want to take a few moments to express how extremely grateful I am to all of you for providing such an excellent children’s program.
      I am extremely over protective of my angel and am very selective about who I allow her to spend time with because I understand that the people around her will affect her character and development. While I dreaded the thought of sending her to a daycare program and desperately desired to homeschool her, life would not allow it. So I searched countless programs before I found your goldmine, and I must say, not a single one of those programs were anywhere near the same level or even worthy of being compared to Greenbelt Children’s Center.
      I send my daughter, Aaliyahmarie, to school every day without fear that she will be mistreated or neglected. She is always encouraged to find her own voice and use it to express herself in any situation. On a daily basis she is taught the importance of showing “acts of kindness” to others, conflict management skills, and how to navigate through her constant changing emotions. These and other important values about self and community reinforce the values that I instill in my daughter and will prove invaluable in every aspect of her life both now and in the future.
      I appreciate how nurturing and extremely attentive all of you are at catering to Aaliyahmarie’s individual needs with compassion and grace. Equally appreciated is the fact that no matter what time of day I enter the facility or how busy everyone is, I am always acknowledged and am always given whatever time I need to speak with any of you about questions or concerns that I may have. You all provide such a wholesome, family environment that skillfully nurtures, protects, and edifies the children and families of your program.
      This letter would never end if I were to list all the wonderful things that I love about Greenbelt Children’s Center. So I will conclude by saying that I truly thank God for each and every one of you. I pray that you will reap countless blessings 100 times over to compensate you for the countless blessings that you bestow upon me and my baby girl on a daily basis. You have been an extraordinary gift to my family, and I am forever grateful and indebted. Thank you just isn’t sufficient for all that you have done for us.

Sincerely,
Stephanie D. Key, Proud mommy of Aaliyahmarie Key

September 3, 2010
"Dear Mrs. Gee, At the end of this second week of school I want to thank you and all the staff of Greenbelt Children’s Center for making Pre-K such a positive experience for Samantha. She comes home every day, proud to tell me what new thing she learned or what she’s done. She’s excited to go to school in the morning and has such a wonderful time there.

I especially want to highlight what a gem Ms. Johnson is. Sam tells everyone who will listen how much she loves her teacher, and will often demonstrate the right way to do things by quoting her. “Ms. Johnson says to hold your pencil like this!” She has come home every day this past week anxious to show me the words and sentences that she’s written during the day. She often wants to practice writing and has told me that she plans to write a book! Please thank Ms. Johnson for me. I am grateful for her dedication to the children, and I appreciate how she has inspired a love of learning in my little girl.
Sincerely, Petra Bradley"

September 23, 2008
"This is [my daughter's] ’s first week at the other school.. Let me tell you that I miss your center so much. The excellent service and care that GCC provided to [my daughter] and my family will never be replaced. I truly miss taking my princess to your school. I know that at GCC she was safe, loved and being educated the same way I would do at home. My husband and relatives feel the same way about your school. If I ever come back to the area of Greenbelt I will definitely take [my daughter] back to your center. Please give my best regards to ... your staff... "
~Former GCC Parents

Read more testimonials from letters sent to the Greenbelt Children's Center:
Steny Hoyer, U. S. House of Representatives, Letter
Parent Letter of Recommendation