At MCCA, we believe families are their children's best experts and we actively partner with families to support their children's needs. We value and encourage daily formal and informal communication with our families, and family members are always welcome in our program, including "just visiting," volunteering in the classroom, participating in field trips as chaperones or at special events, or lending a hand with projects.
Once you have been offered a contract for child care, several forms are required to be completed before your child's first day at a MCCA program. You will need Adobe Reader to view and/or print these forms. You can fill out "All About Me" and the "Emergency Form" on the computer as they are in a writable pdf format. If you wish to do it by hand, you may print them out and do so. Return all completed forms to your director.
Please ask your child's caregiver or your center director where to begin finding answers to your questions. Some free Montgomery County resources that we may suggest include:
Great care is taken to make sure MCCA programs provide a safe and healthy environment for all children and staff. Each child should be well enough to participate fully in all of the daily activities of the program. Our programs are not equipped or licensed to care for sick children. If your child becomes ill during the day, we will make the child as comfortable as possible and notify you to immediately pick up your child.
Please do not bring your child to the center with symptoms of illness. If your child is sent home from the center, s/he should remain at home and be symptom-free for at least 24 hours, or you must submit a written statement from the health care provider approving the earlier return to the program. Children who have been ill for three or more days must have a note from a health care provider in order to return to child care. Please notify your Center or Program Director within 24 hours if your child has developed or been diagnosed with a communicable disease.
The Center staff are permitted to give medication (prescription and over-the-counter) only if parents/guardians have completed the “Medication Administration Authorization Form” (DHR/CCA1216). Any medication must be properly labeled and in its original container. At least one dose of a prescription medicine must be given to the child at home before MCCA can dispense the medication. Medications may not be sent to the program in a child’s lunch or back pack. Please hand-deliver all medications to the child’s teacher.
Medications include:
Prescription medicationsp
Non-prescription medications (including Tylenol, cough drops, and cold medication)
NOTE: Lotion, sunscreen, lip balm, diaper ointment, diaper powder may only be administered with the Basic Needs Product Form signed by the child’s parent or legal guardian (physician’s signature not required).
When MCPS is closed due to inclement weather, and MCCA is not restricted from opening, MCCA may open later than normal so that staff may arrive safely before families. Please call your child’s center before arriving at the program to make sure enough staff have arrived to operate the program. If there is a delayed opening and weather conditions deteriorate, please call your program again for possible updates.
Families may opt-in to a text messaging system to receive text messages about closings from MCCA. See your Director for details on how to sign up. Changing weather and road conditions will be monitored and MCCA reserves the right to change opening and closing times as necessary. If programs close early, families will be contacted by the Center or Program Director through text, phone calls or emails. The announcement will also be posted on MCCA’s website at www.mccaedu.org and on MCCA’s Facebook page.
Unforeseen and unexpected situations may result and create unsafe circumstances (e.g., lack of heat or water, emergency maintenance, public alerts, etc.) In these types of circumstances MCCA may not open.
If required, parents/guardians will be contacted by text, phone or email and advised of the state of emergency and the program’s operating status.
MCCA welcomes family participation and values the meaningful contributions that families can provide to our learning experiences. Parents are encouraged to help support creating community through volunteering, family activities, staff appreciation events, and education and training seminars. Volunteers must complete any required paperwork and follow established regulations from the MarylandState Department of Education, Office of Child Care.
MCCA has been recognized by the Maryland State Legislature for its commitment to Montgomery County issued a quality programs and special needs child care Proclamation in 2016 to MCCA for its commitment to Montgomery County child care for more than 50 years. MCCA was also selected as a 2018 nonprofit finalist for a MOXIE Award for boldness and innovation
MCCA is the oldest nonprofit licensed child care provider in Montgomery County and started its work in 1968 as a Community Action Project of the War on Poverty. Recognizing the need for quality child care programs in their neighborhoods, a group of local activists formed an association to establish centers in Montgomery County that would serve a diverse population and establish high standards for child care. Now, more than 50 years later, MCCA’s dedicated and expertly trained staff continue their tradition of providing high quality child care and play-based education for children.
Families with school aged children who can afford their child care expenses during the school year often struggle to afford the all-day programs they need when school is out for the summer. The Richard Krampf Summer Adventures Scholarship Fund was established to help provide children a safe and stimulating place to spend their weeks when school is out. Please contact an MCCA Director for details on how to apply.