​Frequently Asked Questions

• Does my family have to be associated with the University of San Diego to be eligible for MFCDC?
  We primarily serve the USD community, but may accept non affiliated families under certain circumstances if space allows. Priority registration is offered to current USD students, employees and alumni. If, after accommodating the USD community, spaces remain available, non-affiliated families with eligible children will be invited to tour the center for consideration of enrollment. Submit an inquiry here to be informed via email if space becomes available for non-affiliated community members.
• What are the requirements to be placed on the wait list for MFCDC?

  Children must be at least 18 months of age and have completed a tour of the center to be placed on the MFCDC wait list.

• How do I register for a tour of MFCDC?

  Tours are available for USD students, employees and alumni whose child(ren) are within one year of eligibility for enrollment. Center tours are scheduled on designated Tuesday mornings between October and May. Please call the Center office at (619) 260-4620 or send an e-mail to us at mfcdc@sandiego.edu to request a tour.

• When will my child be able to start the center?

  Although spaces sometimes become available mid-year, we tend to fill up each September and remain full until the following summer. The enrollment process begins in Spring and registration packets will be mailed according to wait list priority, which is determined by several factors including USD affiliation, enrollment schedules and the date that your waiting list application was received.

• What if my child turns 2 1/2 years of age after September?

  We are unable to "hold" spaces until children reach our minimum age of enrollment, in some cases parents may have the option to pay full tuition for a space until their child turns 2 1/2.

• Is tuition prorated for months when the center is closed for summer and winter break?

  All fees will be calculated at the time of each family's enrollment, and the 48 week total annual commitment will be divided into equal monthly payments. With this method of calculation, monthly payments will remain the same regardless of the number of days that school is in session each month.

• What are the age ranges for the classes?

  All of our classes enjoy mixed age grouping of children.

• What are your hours of service?

  The Center is open Monday through Friday from 7:15 a.m. until 5:45 p.m. These extended hours are intended to offer families the flexibility to create a schedule that fits their individual needs. Our intent in establishing these hours is not for children to attend school from opening until closing time. 10 hours is a very long day for children to be away from home, and we strongly recommend that families leave their children at the center for no more than eight hours per day.

• What time is drop off and pick up?

  We do not have a set drop off or pick up time, children arrive throughout the morning. We prefer that all children arrive by 10 a.m. to allow plenty of time for play experiences before we transition to lunch and rest time, which comprise a large portion of our afternoon schedule. The nature of our program does not support afternoon-only half-day enrollment.

• My schedule changes frequently. Can I make frequent changes my child's enrollment schedule?

  Once enrolled, temporary changes to your child's schedule may be requested, but are not guaranteed. Requests to add a full or half day are subject to approval and require prepayment of additional fees. Permanent schedule changes are based on the availability of space and must be requested in writing.

• Do you accept special needs children?

  We welcome all children regardless of ability.

• Do you provide meals for the children?

  The Center provides nutritious morning and afternoon snacks for all in attendance. Snacks are prepared in our fully equipped kitchen. Hot lunches are included in the tuition cost at Manchester. Meals are provided from the department of Dining Services at USD and delivered to the Center daily at lunchtime.

• Are there tuition assistance programs available through Manchester or USD?

  You may be eligible for a discount on tuition charged for your child's enrollment based on your affiliation with the University. Please inform the office if your affiliation changes at any time during your child's enrollment to ensure that you are taking advantage of every opportunity for a discount! If you enroll more than one child at the Center, a 10% discount will be applied to the second child's tuition charge. Meal charges are not eligible for discounts. Families in need of financial assistance are encouraged to inquire about the availability of limited tuition support.

• Do you accept tuition subsidy payments from non-USD resources?

  Tuition subsidy arrangements are the responsibility of the parent, and must be arranged prior to enrollment. We will be happy to assist by providing necessary documentation if parents determine that our program is eligible for the subsidy you are seeking.

• What is the child teacher ratio?

  Each of our four classrooms enrolls 12-14 children daily, with 2 full time co-teachers. Additional support is provided by USD students, who are under the immediate supervision of core staff.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us at mfcdc@sandiego.edu.