Our Philosophy

MNC provides nurturing early childhood learning environments that strive to authentically include the values, home languages, and cultural identities of the children served. Teachers actively engage children in age-appropriate, stimulating experiences to bring about optimal learning for all children to grow to their fullest potential. Further, MNC is committed to ongoing dialogue with children, families, and staff to develop skills that actively challenge bias and disrupt systemic inequities.

Head Start

One of our key funders is Head Start, a national program that promotes school readiness by enhancing the social and cognitive development of children through the education, health, nutrition, disabilities support, parent engagement and other services to enrolled children and their families.

MNC was a delegate agency from 1969 to 2014. In spring of 2014 MNC became a Grantee and was awarded funding for Head Start/Early Head Start to provide comprehensive early care and education services. MNC’s 10 campuses are in Mission, Excelsior, Bayview Hunter’s Point, and Mission Bay neighborhoods. At this time our Head Start and Early Head Start services benefit 280 preschool children ages 3 – 5 and 82 infants and toddlers.

Head Start Annual Reports:

Annual Report 2020-2021

Annual Report 2021-2022

Annual Report 2022-2023

Annual Report 2023-2024

Special Enhancements

MNC preschool classrooms participate in the San Francisco Quality Connections program, where assessors evaluate our quality using the ECERS and CLASS. In return, we receive enhancements like funding for Project Commotion’s activities, along with teacher training and improved supplies.

School Readiness

“School Readiness” signifies that children develop essential skills for school success. For parents, it reflects their engagement in their child’s future. MNC supports families as primary teachers through effective early childhood instruction, which is central to our mission.