TCAPS Preschool Programs
About TCAPS Preschools
Licensed preschool programs for children ages 3 to 5 years of age are provided in a safe, nurturing environment. Our facilities include a school library, gymnasium, playground, and cafeteria.
Activities in the preschool programs address each child’s individual developmental needs, with an emphasis on literacy and language development. Children will engage in music instruction, arts and crafts, creative games, science and nature projects, productive play, and rest. Children will also receive social, physical, emotional, and intellectual stimulation throughout their day.
All TCAPS Preschools Offer:
- Creative Curriculum, with a focus on social emotional growth, literacy and language development
- Personalized learning unique to each child’s developmental abilities
- Qualified, caring, and experienced staff
Traditional Preschool Programs
Preschool Programming Information
Scheduling Options
- All locations offer full-day preschool on a five (5), Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, three (3) Monday, Wednesday, Friday or two (2) Tuesday, Thursday days per week schedule.
- Half-day programming is not available.
Tuition Fees
Fees will be based on the schedule submitted at the time of enrollment. Daily fees are charged based on enrollment, not attendance. Vacation days and illness days will not be credited. However, you will not be charged for inclement weather days.
- 2024-2025 Preschool Tuition Fees
- 2024-2025 Montessori Toddler and Primary Preschool Tuition Fees
Preschool Participation Handbook/Additional Forms
- Preschool Participant Handbook
- Montessori Primary Participant Handbook
- Montessori Toddler Participant Handbook
- Health Appraisal Form
Preschool Physical Information
The TCAPS Student Health Center is located on the campus of West Middle School and provides medical and behavioral healthcare year-round for all TCAPS students ages 3 to 21, regardless of ability to pay. Hannah Wilson, Physician Assistant, offers preschool physicals to satisfy the Health Appraisal requirement. To schedule an appointment, call 231.642.5291.
Montessori Toddler & Primary Programs
Montessori Toddler & Primary Programs
Toddler Program
TCAPS’ Toddler Montessori program is for children, age 18 – 36 months, and is available at TCAPS Montessori at Glenn Loomis. The Montessori methods of education are used with the goal of helping children to develop character, skills, and education. Activities in the toddler program are designed to nurture and empower each individual child. The program promotes development of social skills, emotional growth, and physical coordination as well as cognitive preparation. The holistic curriculum allows the child to experience the joy of learning from a very young age. Visit the Toddler Montessori webpage to learn more about the program. Follow the online registration process to enroll your child for the 2024-2025 school year.
Primary Program
TCAPS’ Primary Montessori program, designed for children 3 – 5 years of age, is an exciting preschool/kindergarten program that provides children with an integrated Montessori curriculum. The major areas of learning in the Primary Montessori classroom are: Practical Life, Sensorial, Language, Math, and Cultural Studies which encompasses science, art and geography. Visit the Primary Montessori webpage to learn more about the program. Follow the online registration process to enroll your child for the 2024-2025 school year.
TCAPS preschool and toddler programs follow the TCAPS district calendar including all half days, early release days, and no school days.
Preschool Physical Information
The TCAPS Student Health Center is located on the campus of West Middle School and provides medical and behavioral healthcare year-round for all TCAPS students ages 3 to 21, regardless of ability to pay. Hannah Wilson, Physician Assistant, offers preschool physicals to satisfy the Health Appraisal requirement. To schedule an appointment, call 231.642.5291.
Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP)
TCAPS Great Start Readiness Program
Working together to offer quality classroom opportunities to area preschool children.
Great Start Readiness Program
The Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) is a free state-funded preschool program for eligible children who turn four years of age on or before September 1. Children attend school four full days, Monday – Thursday, at select TCAPS locations. Transportation options may be available. Children of all abilities are encouraged to apply. Eligibility is determined at the time of application.
How to Apply
Please complete the pre application form found here:
or call Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency at 231.346.2116 or 800.632.7334 to begin the application process.
- View the Great Start Readiness Participant Handbook
- Request for Special Dietary Needs Accommodation Form
TCAPS Great Start Readiness Locations*
- Blair Elementary School
- Courtade Elementary School
- Long Lake Elementary School
- Silver Lake Elementary School
- Westwoods Elementary School
*Locations subject to change.
For more information about the program and eligibility criteria, please call 231.933.1734.
Application link:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeBRREv0bE2pfFNxKmx3WFjuEigbD5caRuY4BvAYpTA5C-lLg/viewform
Preschool Physical Information
The TCAPS Student Health Center is located on the campus of West Middle School and provides medical and behavioral healthcare year-round for all TCAPS students ages 3 to 21, regardless of ability to pay. Hannah Wilson, Physician Assistant, offers preschool physicals to satisfy the Health Appraisal requirement. To schedule an appointment, call 231.642.5291.
Headstart Preschool Programs
Headstart Preschool
The Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency (NMCAA) is now taking applications for the 2023-2024 school year for both Headstart and Early Headstart Preschool Programs.
Children must be 3 or 4 years old by December 2, 2024
- Families with children of all abilities are encouraged to apply
- Transportation services may be available
- To complete the pre-application, visit the NMCAA website
- After completing the pre-application, someone from the agency will contact you to schedule a phone interview, within 10 business days.
Preschool Physical Information
The TCAPS Student Health Center is located on the campus of West Middle School and provides medical and behavioral healthcare year-round for all TCAPS students ages 3 to 21, regardless of ability to pay. Hannah Wilson, Physician Assistant, offers preschool physicals to satisfy the Health Appraisal requirement. To schedule an appointment, call 231.642.5291.
2024-2025 Registration Information
2024-2025 Registration Timeline
New Students Online Account Creation
Current TCAPS Students Register Here
January 22, 2024 -Families can start creating their PowerSchool account to prepare for registration on February 6th.
February 6, 2024 Registration Opens: All interested families are invited to begin registration. Families who have completed all required online forms will be notified beginning March 15th of their approval/status. Placement determination will be made maximizing the services provided by the program. A non refundable enrollment deposit of $275 per student (applied toward registration fee and tuition) if accepted is due on Friday, April 19th.
April 19, 2024 - For accepted students a non refundable enrollment deposit of $275 and documents (copy of the birth certificate, or affidavit, health appraisal, and proof of residency ie: utility bill, driver’s license, etc.) are due for accepted students to guarantee placement. If a family is unable to provide a current health appraisal due to the date of the student's wellness visit please discuss with the childcare office. All families will be required to provide an approved health appraisal prior to beginning in the classroom.
August 5th - January 31, 2025:Registration remains open, however, there is no guarantee your child will be able to begin the program the first week of school. Your child will not be able to begin preschool until after placement has been made and all forms are completed and verified. Families will be required to pay a non refundable enrollment deposit of $275 per student (applied toward registration fee and tuition).
**Enrollment priority will be granted to those who are maximizing the services provided by the program. Please note: if your child's schedule is reduced drastically from the original schedule requested during the enrollment process, your child may lose their space in the program.
2024-2025 Registration Information
Returning Preschool & Toddler Students
Returning preschool families can log directly into the PowerSchool Parent Portal and use their child's current access ID information. Required forms to complete include:
2024-2025 Preschool Registration Form, or 2024-2025 Montessori Toddler Registration Form
Submit a completed Health Appraisal Form with immunization record.
Preschool Health Appraisal forms must have an exam date no more than one year prior to your student’s first day in the classroom for the current school year
Toddler Health Appraisal forms must have an exam date no more than six months prior to your student’s first day in the classroom for the current school year
Section one must be completed by the guardian with a signature and date
Official immunizations must be attached or written in on page two
If written in a medical representative must sign section three
Physician must sign and date in the appropriate section
New Preschool and Toddler Students
Account Creation Instructions - Click on the link below to create your online account. Once this form is completed you will receive an email with further enrollment instructions. Included in the email will be a list of the required documents which must be submitted in addition to the online registration form.
Copy of the birth certificate, or affidavit form.
Proof of Residency (Copy of a utility bill, driver’s license, etc.)
Submit a completed Health Appraisal Form with immunization record.
Preschool Health Appraisal forms must have an exam date no more than one year prior to your student’s first day in the classroom for the current school year
Toddler Health Appraisal forms must have an exam date no more than six months prior to your student’s first day in the classroom for the current school year
Section one must be completed by the guardian with a signature and date
Official immunizations must be attached or written in on page two
If written in a medical representative must sign section three
Physician must sign and date in the appropriate section
Note: Families may upload the documents in their PowerSchool Parent Portal account under FORMS - Document Upload - Upload Documents Here. In addition, the required documents may be emailed to Kelly Gignilliat gignillike@tcaps.net or fax to 231-933-1791. You may also drop off a hard copy at the Tompkins Boardman Administration Building. *All documents must be clear and easy to read or an original will be requested.
More Information or Registration Assistance
- For more information or registration assistance, including translation, please contact Kelly Gignilliat at gignillike@tcaps.net or 231.933.1759.
If needed, please reference our district boundary map to determine your home school. Please note that preschool placements do not guarantee Kindergarten placement for the same school in future years.
Paying Fees Online Through eFunds
Online payments for preschool registration fees and tuition can be paid online via eFunds for Schools.
eFunds Information
For specific questions about eFunds, please contact Sandy Low (231.933.1797 | lowsa@tcaps.net) or Wes Souden (231.933.1729 | soudenwe@tcaps.net).
Financial Assistance
Financial Assistance
DHS childcare reimbursements are also accepted, however, families are required to pay tuition in advance and keep their childcare account paid in full at all times. As DHS reimbursements are received by TCAPS, credits to the childcare account will occur and later appear on the monthly statement families receive at the end of each month.
For additional financial assistance information, please contact the Licensed Child Care Office at 231.933.1759.
2024-25 Locations & Contact Information
Central Grade School 301 W. Seventh Street Shawna Walton, Teacher 231.933.5931 |
Cherry Knoll Elementary School |
Courtade Elementary School |
Long Lake Elementary School 7600 N. Long Lake Road Megan Niezgoda, Teacher 231.933.7844 |
Eastern Elementary School |
Silver Lake Elementary School 5858 Culver Drive Sarah Leonard, Teacher 231.933.3598 |
TCAPS Montessori |
Westwoods Elementary School 1500 Fisher Road Gina McPherson, Teacher 231.933.7948 |
Willow Hill Elementary School 1250 Hill Street Arlene Herman, Teacher 231.933.8564 Danielle Bruckbauer, Teacher |
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