Welcome to Riverdale Dunthorpe Learning Center. We offer year-round preschool for children ages three to six, emphasizing a partnership with families within our small classroom community.Â
Core Preschool Day
8:00 a.m.–2:45 p.m.
Our Core Preschool Day is a rich, integrated experience that blends Reggio-inspired exploration, literacy, and arts-centered STEAM. Through music, movement, nature, and imaginative play, children develop social-emotional growth and kindergarten readiness in a joyful environment.
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Optional Morning & Afternoon Care
Morning: 7:30–8:00 a.m. | Afternoon: 2:45–5:30 p.m.
Families may choose morning care, afternoon care, or both. Each option is priced separately and provides a calm continuation of the preschool day through play, connection, and comfortable transitions.
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Initial Inquiry
Begin your journey with us by sharing your interest through our inquiry form. We look forward to connecting with your family and starting the conversation.
Personalized Tour
Visit our space to witness our small community in action. You will see how the arts and STEAM come alive in our classrooms during this private walkthrough.
Getting to Know Your Child and Family
We believe in a strong partnership between school and home. This step allows us to discuss how our program meets your child’s needs and ensures a thoughtful fit within our community.
Enrollment and Orientation
Once we move forward together, we will guide you through the final paperwork and hold an orientation to ensure your child feels confident and ready to begin.
A Warm Welcome
We celebrate each child's arrival. Your family becomes part of our close-knit circle, supported by our teachers as your child begins their learning adventure.
Tuition & Hours
Tuition covers a full suite of services to provide a seamless, high-quality experience for our families.
Regular Core-Day Tuition
These are RDLC’s regular monthly core-day tuition rates. Optional morning and afternoon care may be added at the published monthly rates.
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5-Day: $1,900 per month
3-Day: $1,500 per month
2-Day: $1,100 per month -
The Founding Family credit is limited to the first six enrolled families and ends after the child’s first 12 consecutive months, after which regular tuition applies.
Enrollment & Fees
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Enrollment Fee: $475. This covers the start-up supplies prepared for each child, including a nap mat, yoga mat, garden shoes, rain poncho, and other classroom and personal-use supplies.
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Tuition Deposit: $1,000, held while enrolled and applied to the final month when the required withdrawal notice is provided.
Please contact us directly for specific enrollment questions or to schedule your tour.
Founding Family Tuition
We offer monthly core-day rates, and families may add morning care, afternoon care, or both for additional monthly fees. Tuition reserves your child’s place and is not refunded, credited, or prorated for absences, illness, vacations, holidays, closures, or other days not attended.
- Founding Family Core Tuition: 5-Day $1,800 | 3-Day $1,400 | 2-Day $1,000 per month.
The first six enrolled families receive a $100 monthly Founding Family credit applied to our standard core tuition for the first 12 consecutive months of enrollment. The credit applies to core tuition only, requires continuous enrollment and an account in good standing, and does not change optional-care rates.
Schedule Details
Core Day (8:00 a.m.–2:45 p.m.)
- 5-Day: $1,900 | 3-Day: $1,500 | 2-Day: $1,100
Optional Morning Care (7:30–8:00 a.m.)
- Monthly add-on: 5-Day $100 | 3-Day $60 | 2-Day $40
Optional Afternoon Care (2:45–5:30 p.m.)
- Monthly add-on: 5-Day $400 | 3-Day $240 | 2-Day $160
Families may choose either care option or both. Both options together add $500 (5-Day), $300 (3-Day), or $200 (2-Day) per month. We also offer a 10% sibling discount on the lower tuition for concurrent enrollment and a $250 referral credit for both families after enrollment requirements are met.
Family FAQ's
We believe in a strong partnership with families through open communication. Find detailed information regarding our tuition structures, daily rhythms, and wellness policies below.
How do you handle illnesses and classroom health?
The well-being of our students is our highest priority. To maintain a safe and healthy environment for everyone, we ask all families to strictly follow the comprehensive health and wellness policies outlined in our Family Handbook regarding symptoms and when a child should stay home.
What food and snacks does RDLC provide?
RDLC offers nutritious snacks that include a source of protein and, whenever possible, organic ingredients. We prepare and serve food thoughtfully and are mindful of reducing unnecessary plastic and microplastic exposure.
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Food and cooking also provide meaningful opportunities for learning. Children explore what nourishes our bodies, where food comes from, and how everyday choices connect us to the natural environment.
How are the classrooms staffed for support?
We adjust educator support throughout the day based on the activity, attendance, and needs of the group. During focused learning, hands-on projects, small-group instruction, and activities requiring greater guidance, we typically provide approximately one educator for every three children.
During calmer portions of the day—such as rest, quiet choices, open-ended play, and some optional-care periods—the ratio may be up to six children per educator. This responsive approach allows us to provide enhanced 3:1 support when children benefit most from individualized guidance while maintaining attentive supervision and an intentionally small-group environment throughout the day.
How does RDLC approach enrollment?
RDLC is an intentionally small preschool community. During focused learning, we typically provide approximately one educator for every three children; during calmer periods, the ratio may be up to six children per educator.
Submitting an application begins a conversation but does not guarantee enrollment. As spaces become available, we consider schedule availability, age mix, the needs of the children already enrolled, and how we can best support each child within the group.
Our goal is to thoughtfully build a safe, warm, and balanced community where children can form positive relationships, participate fully, and thrive. We welcome diverse children and families and approach every application with care, openness, and respect. When an appropriate space is not currently available, a family may be invited to join our waitlist.