National Child Research Center Preschool, Washington DC

Every child has a story… and this is where the story begins. Founded in 1928, the National Child Research Center is the oldest continuously operating preschool in the District of Columbia. In the beginning, the study of children’s behavior was anything but commonplace. A unique coordination of interests in child study and parent education led representatives of eight organizations, which had been working independently, to pool their interests and create a laboratory for child study. Under a three-year grant from the Laura Spelman Rockefeller Memorial, NCRC (then known as the Washington Child Research Center) began the first of its more than 80 years. In 1931, when the grant ended, parents faced with losing their children’s school raised $32,500 in the midst of the Depression to purchase a home at 3209 Highland Place and to run NCRC as an independent preschool. NCRC’s early mission was almost identical to that of today: outstanding faculty; professional development; implementation of appropriate, cutting-edge research; inclusion of children with special needs; a curriculum rooted in early childhood development; and parent education. Throughout its history, the school has welcomed parents as partners by supporting, educating, and engaging parents and families through school events, classroom activities, conferences, specialist resources, and ongoing communication. From the beginning, NCRC has been committed to serving children with special needs and to creating a diverse and respectful community. NCRC has always been a leader in early childhood education. To give just one example from the 1960s, NCRC led the way in training Head Start teachers in DC. Today, NCRC continues to share its long-standing model of a play-based preschool program with others in the field, to collaborate with early childhood educators (both locally and across the country), and to advocate for all children. Inspired by the playfulness of young children and tempered by the wisdom and experience of 80 years, NCRC continues to live its mission and to contribute to the field of early childhood education through its work with children, families, and the community at large. Curriculum Play-Based Learning Our highly skilled and experienced teachers plan curriculum based on the interests and developmental stages of the children in the class. Activities reflect the five domains of early childhood learning: social-emotional, physical, communication, self-help, and cognitive. Enrichment Programs Children have the opportunity each day to participate in a class taught by specialists, with opportunities to experience music, motor, and library. Music teachers provide children with an understanding of the foundations of music and integrate movement, songs, rhythm, instruments, chants, dance, and poetry. An experienced movement teacher helps children practice their motor skills such as hopping, balancing, climbing, and more. Magical library experiences are linked to the classroom curricula, often introducing authors or illustrators.