Preschool Programs

Regardless of a child's current skill level, these tips will help boost brain and language development, setting them up for success in preschool and beyond!

1) Preschool is full of routines. Begin your own routine.  For example, practice eating a lunch at the table.

2) Take the time to encourage self-help skills such as washing their hands by themselves, drinking from a cup, and putting on their own jacket.

3) Talk to your child about the world and make comments to encourage conversation. An example would be, "It looks like it might snow. Should we wear our blue scarf with our blue hat?"

4) Practice saying and spelling your child's name with them! Write it out and trace the letters together or spell out their name in a song. Go on a letter hunt using an old magazine. Cut out the letters that spell out their name.

5) Look for social opportunities such as play dates and story time at the library. Practice good manners, sharing with others, and listening when others are talking.

It is natural for children and parents to have all types of feelings about starting school. Be kind to yourself.  For age-specific information on how to understand your child's behaviors please visit TalkingIsTeaching.org/resources/behind-every-child-behavior-there-is-a-feeling.

As part of the Shiawassee Great Start Readiness Program, food (meal and/or snack) is provided daily at no cost to families.   All meals are provided to children in a family style within the classroom, meaning that food is served in large portions and children serve themselves.  Adults sit with children and eat alongside children during meals.   All meals follow recommended nutritional guidelines published by the Child and Adult Care Food Program.  

Shiawassee Great Start Readiness Program classrooms typically are staffed with two teaching staff and 16 children.  Classrooms can enroll no more than 18 children. 

Many preschool sites offer at least one-way transportation.   If you have specific transportation questions, it is best to connect with individual sites.  A list of quality preschools who participate in the Shiawassee Great Start Readiness Program is available to the left.

The ratio is one teacher per 8 children. Great Start Readiness Program classrooms typically are staffed with two teaching staff and 16 children.  Classrooms can enroll no more than 18 children but require three adults when the 17th child is enrolled.

There are often both part day and school day options available.   Part day classrooms are 3 to 3.5 hours in length.  School day classrooms run a full school day (approximately 7 hours) in which a meal, a snack and a rest time are included.  

All programs work diligently to maintain a consistent daily routine for children.   These consistent routines assist children in knowing what to expect within their day and helps them to become more independent in moving and participating in classroom activities.    Each day provides:

• Minimum 60 minutes of uninterrupted free play time
• Outdoor time (weather permitting)
• Meal time
• Small and large group teacher-led activities

GSRP programs provide play-based learning in which children learn through active engagement in hands-on activities.   

Classroom teachers make communicating with families a top priority.   Discuss with your child’s teacher the ways in which you most like to receive information (text, email, phone call, notes, etc.)   In addition to these informal communications, many classrooms have digital ways in which to share photos or observations of the classroom day.    Also, two Parent-Teacher conferences will be held at a time convenient for you during late fall and spring.    Ongoing observational assessments are conducted throughout the year and your child’s progress on these observations will be shared in writing with you at least two times per year.  

Each of these types of experiences and opportunities are provided within each day’s daily routine within the classroom and with classroom teachers.  Below are examples of how a preschool classroom might experience math, small group experiences, reading time, nature walks, and more.

Math

Small Group

Group Reading

Nature Walks

Yes.   All classrooms follow the same Connect4Learning curriculum and all teaching teams have been formally trained in using the curriculum.  Connect4Learning® is a research-based, classroom tested interdisciplinary prekindergarten curriculum. It integrates research-validated teaching methodologies from early childhood experts in mathematics, science, literacy, and social-emotional learning.

Please inform your child’s classroom teachers and center of any allergies and appropriate accommodations can be made. 

This is an area that many preschoolers need assistance.    The intent of the program is to support greater and greater independence in this area, but all levels of assistance are available and being independent with toileting is not a requirement.