programs
Explore 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 three-year-old-kindergarten, one of the Looping teachers spends time helping the children become adjusted to the change.
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.
3-Year-Old Kindergarten
Ages 2-1/2 To 4 Years
4-year-old Kindergarten (4k)
All Children Who Are Four By September 1 Of Each School Year Will Enter 4K
Northern Door Children's Center's (NDCC) 4 Year-Old Kindergarten Program was established in the 2007-2008 school year. In the 2022-23 school year, NDCC started a Community 4K Collaboration with Gibraltar Area Schools.
The NDCC 4K classroom is co-taught by an NDCC teacher and a Gibraltar teacher, both degreed and licensed by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (WI DPI).
The Community Collaborative 4K program follows all the WI DPI guidelines, including 540 total hours of instruction. 4K uses Creative Curriculum, a renowned early childhood program of study. Creative Curriculum builds children's confidence, creativity, and critical thinking skills through developmentally appropriate, hands-on, project-based investigations. It promotes discovery and inquiry with opportunities for children to think critically and is simple to differentiate to meet the varied learning needs of our students.
NDCC's 4K program participates in yearly "Specials" activities such as nature- based learning at The Ridges Sanctuary, swimming lessons, and a science curriculum designed and taught by a nationally-recognized science teacher from Madison. In addition, the NDCC 4K participates in activities in conjunction with our Gibraltar 4K cohort, such as monthly classes at Peninsula School of Art and programs at the Door County Community Auditorium.
Camp Cool After School/Summer Camp
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 through age eleven, 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).
Curriculum and Assessment
All curriculum is developed and based on Creative Curriculum, the Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards, the Pyramid Model for Social-Emotional Education and the Teaching Strategies Gold standardized assessment, performed three times per year for each child.
Lesson plans are developed weekly to meet the needs of each child and each classroom.