Early Childhood Development

NCJC offers outstanding child care programming for families living in the Broadway and Pheasant Ridge neighborhoods. We also are partners with the Iowa City School District and offer a preschool program at Grant Wood Elementary School. Our programs are NAEYC-accredited and fully licensed by the Department of Human Services. Our programs operate 10 hours a day, 5 days a week in order to support parents returning to work or school; as such, we are one of the few child care programs in Johnson County that accept child care subsidies from the Department of Human Services.

Two Year Old Program
Our consistent daily routine will help these young children become familiar with and secure in their surroundings. We have group time, stretch our muscles with large motor activities, read stories, experience a variety of art and fine motor activities, and have time for free play each day. Opportunities for talking and communicating are planned as well as spontaneous. Children are given assistance to identify and deal appropriately with emotions and feelings. Learning social skills is encouraged throughout the day as teachable moments present themselves.

Three Year Old Program
Designed for children that are 3 years old (must be 3 by September 15th), the three-year old program offers a structured, play-based experience designed to start teaching early preschool concepts like colors, shapes, and letters. Additionally, the three-year old program teaches social skills through Positive Behavior Supports (PBS) curriculum. Children learn to share, learn to make friends, and learn to take-turns throughout each program day.

Four Year Old Program
The four-year old program is designed to prepare children for kindergarten (all children must be 4 by September 15th). Your child will be introduced to learning areas, which encourage their natural curiosity and exploration of their surroundings. The use of a variety of hands-on manipulative activities and interest centers enrich concept development and enhance intellectual development. Children are involved in organized large motor activities, as well as introduced to play equipment designed to facilitate physical strength, agility and coordination. Your child will also be exposed to shapes, colors, letters and numbers as well as concepts of science through developmentally appropriate activities. Children are allowed to show their creativity through music, art and role-playing.

PREP (Preschoolers Reaching their Educational Potential)
The PREP program is a an intensive summer school program (M-F, 7:30-5:30) designed to meet the academic and social needs of five-year old children who need an extra 'boost' before kindergarten. It is our mission to ensure that the preschool children in our neighborhoods have an opportunity to reach their fullest potentials in Kindergarten and beyond through access to an intensive school-readiness program and through access to natural family-centered support that bridges the continuum from home to school. The PREP program has a strong focus on literacy, math, and social skill development.