Author: Rebecca Gettel

What Do High Quality
Early Childhood Programs Provide?
Experiences that prepare children for school success.
Opportunities to develop self confidence and independence.
Experiences that develop social and
communication skills.
Literacy activities and skills that prepare
children for learning to read.
Math and science experiences to develop critical thinking skills.
To learn more about what “high quality” looks like go to www.greatstarttoquality.org.
Looking for parenting resources, family support programs or fun activities to do with your young children? Go to www.greatstarthuron.com.

This information is brought to you by the
Huron County Great Start Collaborative,
a project of the Huron Intermediate School District and the Michigan Department of Education.
1299 S. Thomas Road
Bad Axe, MI 48413
www.greatstarthuron.com
989-269-3485
Revised February 2014

Huron County
Early Childhood
& School Readiness Programs

Preparing young children for success in school and in life!

Information in this brochure:
Free and low cost preschool
Tuition based preschool
Licensed child care
School readiness skills

Free Preschool For Those Who Qualify

Head Start
is a tuition-free preschool program (for those who qualify) funded by the federal government for children 3-5 years of age (by October 1, 2014) and their families. There are a limited number of over-income slots.
Locations include:
Bad Axe @ the Huron Learning Center
Caseville Elementary
Laker Elementary
North Huron Elementary
Unionville-Sebewaing Elementary
Head Start provides:
Half or full day preschool sessions, 4 days per week
Breakfast and snack served at a.m. sessions, lunch and snack served at p.m. sessions
Transportation (where available)
Parent-teacher conferences
Home visits
Vision, hearing and health screenings
Dental services and nutrition education
Behavior management coaching
Parent leadership opportunities
Referrals to community resources

Great Start Readiness Program
(GSRP) is a tuition-free preschool program (for those who qualify) funded by the state government for children who are 4 years of age (by October 1, 2014). There are a limited number of over- income slots available at a low cost (determined by a sliding fee scale).
Locations include:
Bad Axe @ the Huron Learning Center
Caseville Elementary
North Huron Elementary
Owen-Gage Elementary
GSRP provides:
Half or full day preschool sessions, 4 days per week
Snacks served at half day sessions, snacks and lunch served at full day sessions
Transportation
Parent-teacher conferences
Home visits
Parent classroom involvement
Lending library
Family days/nights
Behavioral interventions
Referrals to community resources

To see if your child qualifies for any of these free or low cost preschools call 989-269-6533. One phone call gets you access to all of these options!

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Preschools—that charge tuition

Cross Lutheran, Pigeon: 989-453-3331
Kids World, Bad Axe: 989-269-9284
Our Savior Lutheran, Bad Axe: 989-269-7642
St John’s Lutheran, Pigeon: 989-453-2861
St John’s Lutheran, Port Hope: 989-428-4811

Child Care & Preschool Centers

Discovery Center, Pigeon: 989-453-2111
Early Years, Bad Axe: 989-269-2383
Our Lady of Lake Huron, Harbor Beach:
989-479-3427
Port Hope School: 989-428-4607
Sonshine Kids, Bad Axe: 989-269-8600
USA Early Child Care, Unionville: 989-883-9139
Zion Lutheran, Harbor Beach: 989-479-6400

Child Care in Homes
Licensed for 12 children

Jennifer Bouverette, Bad Axe: 989-269-2880
Bright Beginnings, Elkton: 989-553-3647
Dianna Dubs, Pigeon: 989-453-3489
Faye Errer, Owendale: 989-678-4105
Kelly King, Caseville: 989-856-7342
June Schweitzer, Pigeon: 989-453-3291
Lori Smith, Pigeon: 989-453-3953
Terri Volmering, Bad Axe: 989-315-1770

The Great Start CONNECT website, www.greatstartconnect.org rates child care and preschool providers on a five star system; the more stars a provider has, the higher the quality.

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Child Care in Homes
Licensed for 6 children

Elizabeth Brilinski, Ubly: 989-550-2670
Elizabeth Brinkman, Gagetown: 810-338-1798
Holly Cooper, Harbor Beach: 989-315-1503
Judy Copeland, Bad Axe: 989-269-8069
Nancy Cregeur, Kinde: 989-874-5373
Darcy’s Daycare, Bad Axe: 989-975-9511
Easy Growing CC, Sebewaing: 989-883-2922
Sharon Epperson, Bad Axe: 989-269-2156
Deborah Gothro, Bay Port: 989-977-0839
Diana Kociba, Bad Axe: 989-269-9074
Alyse Kozfkay, Port Austin: 989-738-8530
Virginia Krozek, Bad Axe: 989-269-7419
Mary Catherine Kuhl, Bay Port: 989-883-2667
Debbie Lange, Pigeon: 989-453-3559
Melissa Parrish, Bad Axe: 989-921-3140
Patty’s Daycare, Pigeon: 989-975-1171
Richelle Ranquist, Bad Axe: 989-269-2743
Constance Rochefort, Bad Axe: 989-315-1143
Laura Siegfried, Pigeon: 989-856-4303
Jennifer Stroka, Bad Axe: 989-315-4345
Mary Kay Tennant, Pigeon: 989-453-2314
Geraldine Voss, Port Austin: 989-738-7202
Doris Ann Wisneski, Kinde: 989-874-6101

We do not endorse any particular child care or preschool. Only you can decide what is a good fit for your child and family!

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What Is School Readiness?

Preparing your child to succeed in school is a big job. Great Start is here to support you in your role as your child’s first and best teacher because we know that a child who enters school ready to learn is much more likely to do well in school, graduate high school and be a successful adult.
So, how do you know if your child is ready for school? Here are a few examples of behaviors and abilities that are typical for children entering Kindergarten:
Social and Emotional
Cooperates well with others, makes friends, share toys.
Expresses feelings, calms themselves, shows patience, recognizes the feelings of others.
Beginning to respect the space of those around them.
Likes to talk and carry on conversations.
Beginning to understand that their actions have consequences.
Approaches to Learning
Takes initiative and is curious and willing to try new things.
Understands and obeys simple rules (most of the time).
Understands the order of daily routines such as breakfast before lunch, lunch before dinner, etc.
Able to follow 3 step directions such as put your cup in the sink, put the ball in your room and get your coat on.

Physical Well-Being and Motor Development
Is able to gallop, run, skip, hop, swing and climb. Can hop on one foot and walk in a straight line.
Uses eating utensils skillfully. Can hold a pencil crayon or marker to draw and write.
Able to build with blocks, form shapes out of clay or play dough, can thread beads on a string.
Able to feed themselves, brush their teeth, comb hair, dress themselves with little help.
Speaking and Communication
Able to use words to express wants and needs in everyday communication.
Can have a conversation, make up stories, using a range of vocabulary (about 1500 words).
Asks and answers who, what, where, and when questions.
Gaining confidence in starting conversation and responding when talking with peers and adults.
Cognitive and General Knowledge
Asks questions and solves problems on their own or with minimal help.
Able to recognize several letters, may be able to write their name.
Beginning to understand that letters make words and words make sentences.
Uses different writing tools, pencils, crayons, etc. and enjoys drawing and writing.
Recognizes stop signs, store signs and other print they are exposed to frequently.

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