Northern Door Children’s Center is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization offering the highest quality early care and education for children ages six weeks to 11 years.
About Us
Northern Door Children’s Center has served the families of Door County for more than 30 years (and counting!).
Support NDCC
When you donate to NDCC, you help us provide scholarships, purchase educational supplies, and keep our Center operating.
Annual Family Survey
It’s time for our Annual Family Survey. Please download the PDF, complete it and return it to NDCC by Friday, June 30.
Our Philosophy
The primary purpose of Northern Door Children’s Center is to provide high-quality child care services for children through a stimulating and accepting environment.
We strive to provide a balanced curriculum with activities and opportunities to enhance and develop each individual child’s physical, social, emotional, creative and intellectual development.
Our Programs
Infant/Toddler Looping Program
AGES SIX WEEKS TO 3 YEARS
Each class of students stays together for 2 1/2 – 3 years with the same teacher and peer group. Research shows that this consistency of early care and education contributes significantly to greater brain growth and overall development in the most critical first three years of life.
When it is time to move to Prescholar/3K, one of the Looping teachers spends time helping the children become adjusted to the change.
Prescholar/3K
AGES 2-1/2 TO 4 YEARS
Children come together in a mixed age group for one to two years. The mixed age group allows for valuable peer teaching and peer learning experiences in a classroom that more closely resembles a natural community.
The educational program is play-based and hands-on in enriched learning/play areas that encourage self-directed learning with teacher support and facilitation.
Four-Year-Old Kindergarten (4K)
ALL CHILDREN WHO ARE FOUR BY SEPTEMBER 1 WILL ENTER 4K.
The 4K program follows all Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction guidelines, including a total of 540 hours of instruction. The curriculum offers early literacy, math, science and social studies activities, the nationally recognized “Handwriting Without Tears” writing curriculum, and three yearly “specials” with activities including music lessons, studio art and swimming lessons.
The 4K teacher is degreed and licensed by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.
Camp Cool
AGES 5 – 11 YEARS
Children attending Gibraltar Area Schools who require after-school care arrive from Gibraltar on the school bus each afternoon. They have a snack, do their homework and/or have a creative activity and play outside, weather permitting.
During the summer months, children who are age five by the first day of the summer program participate in the Camp Cool Day Camp program. Each summer has a creative overall theme with corresponding activities and off-campus field trips.
Wrap Around Care
Following the morning educational program, families may opt to have their children remain for “wrap-around” care. This includes lunch (either a hot lunch for a small additional fee or bring a lunch from home), rest time, snack, and an afternoon program.
The afternoon program focuses on more learning with relaxed, fun activities and indoor or outdoor play (weather dependent).
Our results speak for themselves!
At Northern Door Children’s Center, our focus is providing the highest-quality early education for ALL the young children and families of Door County.
YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY
CHILDREN ACCEPTED AT NDCC
TUITION DISCOUNT THANKS TO FUNDRAISING
Our Core Values
Some years ago, teachers and administrative staff came together to select statements that express our core values as an early education organization.
These five statements best describe who we are, what we stand for, and what we teach our students each and every day:
- Be Kind
- Be Safe
- Be Respectful
- Be a Learner
- Be Part of Our Community
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