Frequently Asked Questions
We begin enrollment for the following school year in February. Priority is given to currently enrolled families. We then open enrollment to our wait listed families. In mid-February we begin open enrollment to the public. We will continue to enroll students as long as there is availability in a classroom. If there is not space, we will place you on the wait list.
When is enrollment?
How does the waitlist work?
Our wait list is for the current school year only. It does not carry over from year to year. After registration opens, we start a wait list once a class is full. Once we have an opening throughout the year, we start at the top of the wait list and see who is still interested in attending at that time. If we do not have an opening during the school year we will contact you in February via email for the next year's enrollment opportunities. Waitlisted families are given priority enrollment over the general public.
How long will my child be on the wait list?
We have no way of predicting how long you will be on the wait list. Once a family tells us they are leaving and we have an opening, we start at the top of the wait list and see who is still interested in attending at that time. If we do not have an opening during the school year we will contact you in February via email for the next year's enrollment opportunities.
Does my child have to be potty trained?
Children in our Program do not need to be potty trained to attend—we understand that every child develops at their own pace! If your child is still in diapers, a small monthly diapering fee will apply. We do encourage children to be independent in using the restroom by the time they turn 3, and we’re here to support families through that transition with patience and care.
What is your class size and teaching ratio?
One of the things that makes Northminster special is our small class sizes and child to teacher ratios. This allows us to give each child more personalized attention in a loving, supportive setting. Our Toddler Program (for ages 18–36 months) has no more than 12 children per class with two experienced and caring teachers, plus a float teacher. Our Preschool Program (for ages 3–5 years) typically has around 15 students per class, also with two fully qualified and nurturing teachers, plus a float teacher.
We are a Christian based Preschool focused mainly on play and social development. We believe that children learn best through experiences. Our curriculum is geared to meet the needs of your individual child. Through a variety of daily experiences, your child will be offered creative expressions in arts and crafts, games, songs, math concepts, languages, sciences, and large and small muscle development activities.
In partnership with parents and teachers, we strive to meet the social-emotional development of each individual child by building strong relationships and connections to aid in his/her social, spiritual, and emotional growth.
Do you have an ideology?
We love getting to know our families, so before completing registration, we ask that all parents visit us with their child once we have an opening. It’s a great opportunity to tour the school, explore our classrooms, and see if our curriculum and approach feel like the right fit for your family.
We offer on-campus tours Monday - Thursday afternoons after our core Preschool hours. We can also email you a Virtual Tour. Please use the Contact Us Form to let us know if you would like to schedule on onsite tour and/or be emailed a copy of our Virtual Tour.
How do I schedule a tour?
Northminster Preschool is a warm, Christian, play-based program that’s been lovingly caring for children in the Clairemont and UC communities for over 50 years. We receive a lot of referrals. It is not uncommon for many parents who attended Preschool here themselves to enroll their own children here!
How long has the school been in existence?
Our entire team of teachers and administrative staff meets the required 12 Early Childcare credits to teach preschool, with several holding degrees in Early Childhood Education.
While only one staff member is required to maintain First Aid and CPR certification, every one of our teachers is fully certified and renews their training every two years.
They bring decades of teaching experience to Northminster, and many are parents themselves—adding both professional expertise and real-world understanding to their work.
What are your teachers’ education and experience?
Yes, the Preschool is affiliated with the church. We teach a value of the month in the classroom, like "being a good friend" or "telling the truth". The children have chapel once a month with Pastor Jay in the church sanctuary. He shares a bible story and they sing Christian songs. We pray before snack time. The children give a singing performance for their families at Christmas time. The church also sponsors Parents Night Out drop off events for Preschool families.
Is the Preschool affiliated with the Church?
Are you a nut-free facility?
The snacks that the Preschool provides do not include nuts. However, we are not a nut free facility and do not restrict parents from packing nut products in their child’s lunch. Every year we enroll children who have nut allergies without any problems. All allergies should be communicated to the
Preschool Office and teachers.
The classrooms and bathrooms are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected at the end of each school day.
The facility is ventilated (open windows and doors) before children come to school and when the weather allows during the day.
There are HEPA Air Purifiers in every classroom to filter the air when inside.
All toys and materials that have been used that day will be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.
All surfaces and table tops are disinfected multiple times throughout the day.
Continued focus in educating about health, safety, and hygiene in an age appropriate manner. We will continue to practice good hand washing habits.