In our pre-K rooms we are getting ready for Kindergarten!
Studies indicate that children who attend pre-K enter kindergarten with larger vocabularies, stronger basic math skills and better pre-reading skills than children who do not attend.
While many pre-K programs focus on the basics of letter and number recognition or reading skills, our program prepares for kindergarten readiness by encompassing more than a few isolated skills. We look at the whole child and feed all the skills and strengths that makes each child unique.
Penguin: 4 to 5 years
Bernice Villegas-Huerta
Lead Teacher
Leoni Tiglao
Associate Teacher
Otter: 4 to 5 years
Brandy Coffey
Lead Teacher / Program Director
Janise Wells-Allen
Associate Teacher
Kangaroo: 4 to 5 years
Amanda Shukwit
Lead Teacher
Emily Ray
Associate Teacher
Foundations Preschool is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). This accreditation offers the assurance that we hire qualified teachers who are committed and capable of addressing the cognitive, emotional, physical, social and language developmental needs of every child enrolled in our care.
What does Foundations Preschool provide?
We serve breakfast, lunch, and snacks daily to nourish healthy bodies and minds (parents can opt out of the food program and provide their child’s lunch). Foundations also provides sunscreen during the warmer months. If your child is not toilet-trained, families provide diapers/pull-ups and wipes.
What is your ratio?
1:8
What is your curriculum?
We use the HighScope curriculum, which was developed through research and knowledge from all areas of child development. Emphasizing active learning and a consistent routine, the curriculum allows children to make choices throughout the day. This curriculum offers children many opportunities for positive interactions with other children and adults – and focuses on the development of the whole child (social/emotional, physical, cognitive, and language). HighScope lays a foundation for children to move seamlessly from Foundations Preschool to Kindergarten with appropriate beginner skills in math, reading readiness, science, and social awareness.
Learn more at the HighScope site.
Will there be an opportunity for my child to go outside?
Foundations Preschool has two large outdoor preschool playgrounds and a garden for children to exercise, play and explore nature. Children will go outside daily.
What are your hours?
Hours for Preschool and Pre-K are 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Does my child need to be fully toilet-trained?
Children who are not fully comfortable using the toilet may wear pull-ups. We will work with the family on the toilet-training process.
How do you keep parents/guardians up to date on their child’s day?
Each classroom uses Class Dojo to update families about their child’s day. Teachers share artwork, pictures, and class happenings daily. Foundations also shares school closings, community events, and other important information on Class Dojo.
Is there an opportunity to discuss my child’s progress?
There are two scheduled home visits and two conferences each school year.
Do you offer scholarships?
Yes, we offer in-house scholarships. We accept DHHS/CDC, Child Care Network, and other outside scholarships that can be paired with our own scholarship offerings.
Daily schedule
- Arrival/Work Time
- Breakfast
- Greeting Time
- Large Group
- Small Group
- Outside Time
- Plan Do Review/Clean Up
- Lunch
- Transition to Rest Time (Bathroom/Handwork)
- Rest Time
- Snack
- Large Group/ Read Aloud
- Outside Time
- Transition to Inside (Bathroom/Handwork)
- Snack
- Plan Do Review
- Read Aloud/Dismissal
Great Start Readiness Program
You could Qualify for Free Pre-Kindergarten
If your child will turn 4 before December 1 of the current school year, and your family has an income that is from 0-250% of the Federal Poverty Level, you may qualify for the Great Start Readiness Program.
To see if you qualify, fill out an interest form on WashtenawPreschool.org, and select Foundations Preschool as your FIRST CHOICE.
