Admissions | Riverdale Dunthorpe Learning Center

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.

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.

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

We prefer to arrange tours after school or on weekends. These quieter visits give us time to get to know your child and your family, welcome your child into our learning spaces, and answer your questions without the distractions of the school day. Submit a tour request and we will confirm a time together.

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.

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

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.
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.

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 FAQs

Does my child need to be fully potty trained?
Children should be actively potty training before starting school. Pull-ups are welcome. We provide assistance as needed and encourage children to use the bathroom as they build confidence. Families can bring spare clothes for their child’s comfort; we also keep spare clothing available.

What happens during nap and rest time?
Nap, rest, and quiet time are in the early afternoon, generally after lunch and outdoor time. Children who do not sleep spend time reading with us in the yoga and movement room adjacent to the nap and quiet room. Bedding is included in the enrollment fee.

Which days can my child attend?
Our usual two-day schedule is Tuesday and Thursday. Our usual three-day schedule is Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Five-day enrollment is also offered. Other combinations of days may be possible when space is available.

How do you support the transition into preschool?
Starting school is a big step. We work with families to offer a flexible, warm transition that helps each child settle into their full schedule. Regular tuition applies during the transition because your child’s place is reserved throughout this period.

When are tours offered, and should my child come?
We prefer to arrange tours after school or on weekends. Please bring your child: getting to know your child is an important part of the visit. These quieter times give us space to connect with your child and your family, explore our learning spaces together, and answer questions without the distractions of the school day. Request a tour and we will confirm a time together.

Are you currently accepting new students?
Yes, we currently have openings. Request a tour to discuss your child’s age, preferred schedule, and possible start date.

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 meals and snacks are provided?

We provide nutritious cooked lunches and well-rounded snacks that include protein, using organic ingredients whenever possible. Shared dining is part of our educational experience, connecting food, conversation, and learning. We accommodate allergies and dietary needs; please discuss your child’s needs with us before they start.

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.