GRPS World Class Preschool

Children grow up fast! Whether they’re coming from daycare, a 3-year-old program, or directly from home, entering a preschool program for the first time is a HUGE deal for families (children and caregivers alike). What will your new school routine look like? How will your child interact with their peers? And how will you say good-bye when you drop off your child on their first day of school?

There’s no doubt that preschool is a very important stage of a child’s life. Preschool is a time for kids to interact with their peers and learn valuable life lessons such as how to share, take turns, and follow rules. It also can prepare them academically for kindergarten and beyond. However, the transition can sometimes present challenges for child and parent/caregiver. For a child, entering the school environment for the first time might cause both anxiety and excitement. Caregivers might have mixed emotions about whether their child is ready for preschool.

These tips might help ease the transition as your child moves from babyhood into the next chapter of their life:

• Establish a routine. Figure out how your child will get to school and how she will come home. Talk to your child about the morning and afternoon routine so that she understands that she will be safe, okay, and cared for. Make sure your child meets her before- and/or after-school caregiver, if you are using one. Start using your child’s “school bedtime.” Children often go to bed later as the summer months, and longer days, kick in. Help your child get into a preschool schedule by keeping to his school bedtime, beginning about 2 weeks before school starts.

• Read together! As you prepare for their first day, read books about going to school and saying goodbye, such as:
  • The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn
  • David Goes to School by David Shannon
  • Will I Have a Friend? by Miriam Cohen
  • First Day of School by Anne Rockwell
  • When I Miss You by Cornelia Maude Spelman
  • Take a Kiss to School by Angela McAllister
  • It’s Time for Preschool by Esme Raj Codell
  • A Pocketful of Kisses by Audrey Penn

• Play at your new preschool. Visit your child’s preschool together. Even if you’re not able to enter the building, you may be able to play on the school playground a few times before your child starts the program. These visits increase your child’s comfort with and confidence in this new setting. If there’s a home visit or school visiting day, make sure you and your child participate. If you aren’t able to participate, call the school to arrange to meet your child’s teacher.

• Use pretend play to explore the idea of preschool. Take turns being the parent, child, and teacher. Act out common daily routines, such as saying good-bye to mommy and/or daddy, taking off your coat, singing songs, reading stories, having Circle Time, playing outside, and taking naps. Reassure your child that preschool is a good place where they will have fun and learn. Answer their questions patiently. This helps children feel more in control which reduces their anxiety.

GRPS Pre-K programs

Early Childhood at GRPS

Kindergarten: Students must be 5 years old by September 1^st. Contact your neighborhood school or follow this link to find out your neighborhood “attendance area” school.

Full day 4’s Preschool: Full day PreK for 4 year olds is available at all GRPS elementary schools with the exception of North Park Montessori @ Wellerwood, Grand Rapids Montessori and Ridgemoor Park Montessori. Students must be 4 by September 1st, or check with the Early Childhood Office to see if there is an age waiver available for students who turn 4 between September 2nd and December 1st.

An intake needs to be completed, which is available online here or by calling the Early Childhood Office at (616) 819-2111, or available in all elementary school main offices.

Placements take place through the Early Childhood Office beginning in July, with letters being sent to the home address.

Many families qualify for free preschool through the Great Start Readiness Program grant. If a family’s income exceeds grant eligibility, there is a potential tuition option. Please contact the Early Childhood office at 616-819-2111 to further discuss these options.

Half Day Preschool: Montessori schools are the only option at GRPS for half day general education PreK – North Park Montessori @Wellerwood, Grand Rapids Montessori, and Ridgemoor Park Montessori. Students must be 4 by September 1st. There may be a potential waiver each year that could allow those students who turn 4 between September 1 and December 1 to be eligible for the program.

A theme school application needs to be completed. It is available online at apply.grps.org.

Selections happen through the Office of Community & Student Services (819-2150) beginning in February. The application is available late fall. There may be a tuition cost which is determined by income and calculated once families have completed the Kent County Preschool Intake form.