Choosing a preschool, especially for the first time, is not a decision to be made lightly. We know because we’re moms! The Detroit Moms Blog team members have gone through the preschool selection and enrollment process before. Some of us have been through it many times! We know how overwhelming it can be.
Franklin Academy Preschool
If you’re looking for everything under one umbrella, Franklin Academy Preschool is your answer! We know how busy life is and we have a program that will meet your needs. Franklin Academy offers a unique preschool experience that incorporates both the cognitive and physical experiences needed to bring up a well-rounded, well-educated child. Our classes are taught by certified, experienced, and caring teachers. Because we are part of the Franklin Athletic Club, we also provide an extensive enrichment program that no other school can offer! Our mornings are spent in the classroom learning the academic and social skills needed to get your child ready for their elementary school career. Our in-depth, age appropriate curriculum is geared toward developing the whole child. Our afternoons provide the children with enrichment classes such as yoga, tennis, swimming, performing arts and STEM to provide both academic and physical experiences. We have extended care options available before and after school, as well as a monthly lunch menu that our families can order from. We have it all and would love to share it with you!
Enrollment for the 2019/2020 school year is now open to the public. Please get in touch soon!
Birmingham Public Schools Early Learning
Birmingham Public Schools offer play-based, early learning programs that encourage the development of each child’s unique potential. They are committed to providing a nurturing and secure educational setting for young children, in a safe, age-appropriate, engaging environment with low staff to student ratios. A strong foundation for school success guided by a strong curriculum enhances cognitive, physical, social-emotional and creative development. Birmingham’s highly-qualified teaching teams understand that all children go through the same stages of development, but each child develops at a different rate. In addition to planning classroom activities based on a comprehensive curriculum, teachers work to build strong relationships with children and families. Staff, children and families, in partnership with the community, learn to value diversity and to foster individuality, self-confidence, love of learning and respect for themselves and others.
Clarkston Community Schools
The Clarkston Community Schools Early Childhood Center provides exceptional preschool education for Oakland County families! We offer a variety of programs for children ages two to four, and an early intervention program for children birth through age three. We believe that children learn best through purposeful play and social interaction, and we feed our students’ love of learning while building a firm foundation of basic skills. Each small group classroom provides extensive opportunities for students to excel in active learning while incorporating developmentally appropriate activities that are aligned with Clarkston Community Schools’ curriculum. We are committed to providing a safe, caring and nurturing environment that will help children develop a sense of confidence, community and a love of learning!
Firefly Forest School
Exploration. Play. Learning. Curiosity.
At Firefly Forest School, that’s what we think childhood is all about. We provide nature-based preschool, camp, and after school programs at two nature preserves in the metro Detroit area: Bauervic Woods (Southfield) and Tenhave Woods (Royal Oak). Our all-outdoors programs give students the opportunity to grow their motor, literacy, numeracy, social-emotional, and creative problem solving skills in an environment that inspires a lifelong love of the natural world. With a low (1:5) teacher to student ratio and skilled, experienced educators, we create a supportive, safe, and individualized learning environment for every student. We believe that a good program is much more than childcare—it is a space for families to build community, for children to ignite their sense of wonder and love of learning, and for all of us to help in creating a better world for the next generation.
Join the Firefly Forest School community today!
Detroit Waldorf
Detroit Waldorf School works to build a strong community within its walls and in partnership with its neighbors. Parents, faculty, and staff work hand-in-hand to ensure that DWS, the last independent school in the city of Detroit, continues to offer a rich and dynamic education to students in southeast Michigan.
As the only independent private school in Detroit spanning preschool through 8th grade, DWS relies on fundraising to support its accessible tuition program, which provides exceptional educational experiences to roughly half of all DWS students. Detroit Waldorf School, home to one of the most diverse student bodies in Michigan, provides a dynamic, rigorous education incorporating arts, science, and humanities to embrace the natural curiosity and imagination of children.
The school is dedicated to continual growth and development to reach an ever-growing population of families and community members. Gifts of time, money and expertise are essential components of commitment to our school.
Cedar Crest Early Childhood Center
Cedar Crest Early Childhood Center believes in excellence for early childhood care and education. We believe children of every age deserve respect and safety. Children learn best when actively involved in the learning process and presented developmentally appropriate activity. We believe in collaboration for a nurturing environment to meet individual needs and foster learning in both students and staff. We believe in making a difference in our world.
Cedar Crest Early Childhood Center offers childcare and preschool classes designed to nurture optimal child development, allowing a sense of voice, confidence and curiosity to develop. Cedar Crest strives to prepare children to be valuable members of society, who will be healthy, kind, and competent, by modeling and teaching concepts, compassion and the skill of making positive choices.
Infant and Toddler classes for students birth–2.5 years are available Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m. during the school year (September to mid-June) and 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. during the summer session (mid-June to Labor Day).
Preschool classes for 2.5-4-year-old students are available Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Kindergarten Prep classes for 4-5-year-old students are available Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. (half day) and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (full day).
Spanish Immersion Preschool classes for 3-5-year-old students are available on Wednesday, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Childcare before and after Preschool, K Prep and Spanish Immersion classes are available 7 a.m.-6:30 p.m. during the school year (September to mid-June) and 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. during the summer session (mid-June to Labor Day).
The Learning Experience, Farmington Hills
As an Academy of Early Education, The Learning Experience inspires children ages 6 weeks to 8 years to Learn, Play and Grow! Now enrolling at their Farmington Hills location, call today to schedule a tour
Ward Preschool
Our aim is to provide an environment where Christian love surrounds our children as we help them build a Christ-centered foundation.
Our desire is for each preschooler to develop a positive self-image, social skills, basic moral and spiritual concepts, and educational skills which will be their foundation for a lifetime of learning and growing.
“Our philosophy is Learning Through Play.”
Ward Preschool was established to provide children a Christ-centered foundation for the development of a positive self-image; socialization skills, basic moral and spiritual concepts, and educational readiness skills; all to be nurtured to in atmosphere of Christian love.
Academic Gardens
Academic Gardens has been serving southeast Michigan for over 30 years! Their school is located in a beautiful historic building, in downtown Plymouth. All staff members agree children need to learn through a variety of methods and experiences, but most importantly at their own pace. These principles hold true for all students, those who are advanced and those who need a little extra. They help teach students how to help themselves and take control of their own learning! Their goal is to ensure all of our students enjoy coming to school, making friends, and learning the content areas and special topics they study. They provide part-time or full-time care for 3 year-old, 4-year old, and 5-year old students. Their open-space classrooms and secure, shaded playground area allow us to foster independence within our students, while they learn to navigate rules, social skills, friendships, and literacy. Academic Garden’s mission is to provide a wonderfully enriching preschool experience that challenges and nurtures our young students. They seek to instill a life-long love of learning in everyone who attends their school.
St. Mary's Royal Oak
St. John Lutheran Preschool
At St. John Lutheran Preschool, we believe in educating the “whole child”. Our curriculum covers the spiritual, social/emotional, cognitive, language arts, math and science, physical and musical areas of learning.
In our Three-Year-old program, we take a thematic approach to learning. The children learn socializing skills through their play during center time. Children’s literature is used to enhance the themes that we study. Music is incorporated throughout the day. Half day sessions are available. Half and full day options are available.
The Four-Year-old program continues to build upon the themes and we also incorporate letter and sound recognition in the language arts area. We continue to work in skills areas that will help prepare children for Kindergarten by using developmentally appropriate practices. Various half and full-day sessions are offered. New for the fall of 2019-2020, St. John will also be offering a Young 5’s class, with half and full day options, designed for students needing a bridge year between PS4’s and Kindergarten. All 4’s sessions, as well as Young 5’s sessions, are designed for Kindergarten readiness.
St. John Lutheran Preschool is an excellent place for children to learn and grow academically, socially, and, most importantly, spiritually. We invite you to visit us. We look forward to meeting you and your prospective Preschool student!
KinderCare Learning Centers
KinderCare Learning Centers is America’s largest, most accredited child care provider, serving more than 165,000 children every day at more than 1,380 centers. For 50 years, we’ve been creating safe, encouraging environments where kids can learn, grow and build confidence for life.
At KinderCare, hardworking families are family—regardless of needs, backgrounds, and experiences. To learn more visit us online at KinderCare, on Facebook or on Instagram. For resources, information, and activity ideas for parents and teachers of young children please visit KinderCare.com/blog.
Great Start Readiness Program
GSRP is Michigan’s state-funded preschool program. It is designed for four-year-old children with certain factors. The program is administered by the Michigan Department of Education. GSRP Funding is allocated to each intermediate school district throughout the state, to administer the program locally. Please visit the GSRP website for more information.
Michigan Head Start Association
Additional preschools in + around Detroit you may want to check out…
Macomb County
Assumption Nursery School and Toddler Center
Carkenord Head Start
Centerline Early Childhood
Dooley Center Little Learners
Ebeling Preschool
Little Turtle Macomb Preschool
Macomb County Head Start
Montessori Children’s Academy
Montessori Stepping Stones
Northbrook Early Childhood Academy
Second Home Child Development Center
St. Peter Lutheran Preschool
Wee Excel Preschool and Child
Oakland County
A Children’s Place Montessori
A Growing Place
ABC Early Learning Center
Abiding Presence Lutheran Church
ADAT Shalom Nursery School & Kindergarten
Alameda Early Childhood Center
Baldwin Childcare Program
Beautiful Savior Early Learning Center
Bloomin’ Preschool at Conant
Breakie Bunch Daycare
Brewster Childcare Programs
Building Blocks Preschool
Country Hills Montessori
Epic Life Church, Leapfrog Christian Daycare
Farmington Presbyterian Nursery
Farmington Hills Nursery School
Foundations for Learning
Four Seasons Preschool
Franklin Christian Preschool
Funshine Early Childhood
Goddard School
Hampton Childcare Programs
Harmony Montessori
Kirk in the Hills Preschool
Lakes Area Montessori
Leggett Dandelions Preschool Childcare
Lowry Center/Oakland University
Mayfair Co-Op Pre-School
Northville Presbyterian Preschool
Orchard Hills CARE and GSRP
Patterson Kids Program
The Roeper School
Pitt Child Development Center
Sunny Day Care & Montessori
Temple Israel Early Childhood Center
Troy Cooperative Pre-School
The Montessori Preschool
Wayne County
All Saints Catholic School
Access Preschool
Belville St. Anthony’s
Bethel East 1 2
Canton – Ford Crossing
Cotter Early Childhood Center
Creative Learning Campus Preschool and Daycare
Crestwood Early Head Start
Dearborn Early Learning Center / My Baby & Me
Dearborn Christian Preschool
Ecorse Head Start
Ford Memorial – Double Session
Gaudior Academy
Island Kiddie Campus
Little Jungle Learning Center
Nanny’s Nursery School and Daycare Center
Paradigm Care & Enrichment Center
UM-Dearborn Early Childhood Education Center
Various Locations
Brookfield Academy Montessori
Children’s Ark Child Care
Green Garden Child Development Center
Thank you so much for this guide. Is there a similar guide for programs for younger children (1-2 year olds?)