Early Childhood
At All Saints Academy. We offer early childhood opportunities starting at 18 months. Our program focuses on providing a secure and nurturing environment where children can grow and develop at their own rate. Using a positive approach, we encourage children to try new things and explore concepts using their prior knowledge. We help children to discover the sense of wonder and appreciation for God’s creations. Our Catholic faith is intertwined at an age appropriate level in all that we encounter.
Throughout our programming, we use a variety of activities and learning strategies focusing age-appropriate approaches to play and learning, social and emotional development, physical development and health, communication, language, and early literacy development, creative and expressive arts, mathematics, engineering and technology, science, social studies, and of course theology. Evidence of learning, play, and self-discovery are woven throughout the daily activities the children encounter. Most importantly, the children are having fun.
We have programs available for the school year, summer, or both (year round). For toddlers, we offer a vibrant child care program and preschoolers can experience our unique preschool programming during the school year and our child care program during the summer. We offer flexible scheduling, full time and part time options, and you are only required to pay when present. For more specific details, click on the tab for the program you are interested in.
Toddler Care
We provide child care services for children 18 months and older. Children need to be walking independently to attend. We have two different toddler groupings:
- Toddler 1: 18 months-30 months
- Toddler 2: 30 months-3 years
Care is available full time or part time. School year and summer sessions available. Parents select a schedule that works best for their family:
- We ask that the schedule remains consistent
- Variant schedules need to be approved by the director
- Adding days is acceptable if room is available. (24 hour notice required)
- We do not accommodate unplanned drop-in care
Toddler care is available on unexpected school closures. Families only pay when present for care
Preschool Program
The preschool program serves children 3-5 years.
- Children must be 3 by October 1 to qualify for a preschool placement
- Preschoolers must be self-sufficient with toileting skills
The preschool program follows the All Saints Academy school calendar.
- Preschool classes begin in late August and end in early June
- We offer flexible preschool scheduling. Parents pick what days and times work best for your family.
- AM only
- AM plus lunch
- All Day
- Combination of these options
- A minimum of two days a week is required.
- Once a schedule is established, we ask that you remain consistent.
- Alternating/Variant schedules are feasible with approval.
- Adding an additional day may be possible if space is available and 24 hour notice is provided.
- We can not accommodate unplanned drop-in care.
- We offer child care services for those non-school days and summer months
- Families only pay when present for care.
Preschool placements will be determined by the child’s birthdate. Typically kids will be placed in a room where the age span is about nine months. A child’s prior educational experiences or prior teacher’s recommendations may factor into determining placement.
Children must be toilet trained and self-sufficient with bathroom needs to be enrolled in our preschool program. This means kids need to be able to take care of their bathroom needs without assistance and are able to communicate when they need to go. They need to be in underwear full time when at school - no pull ups or diapers. We will certainly help with zippers and snaps if needed. If your child is struggling with bathroom needs, please contact us. If your child is not quite there, a delayed start may need to be arranged.
Curriculum
ASA follows the curriculum created by the Diocese of Grand Rapids, while incorporating the following research based, high quality, early childhood programs including:
- Zoo Phonics®
- Heggerty Phonemic Awareness®
- Kickstart Literacy Program®
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd - a hands on religious experience
- Second Step Program - Social Emotional Learning
Preschool Schedule & Daily Activities
Preschool Class Schedules
Child Care Facility Hours: 6:30 AM to 6:00 PM
| AM Session | AM + Lunch Session | All Day Session | |
| Drop Off | Between 6:30 AM & 8:30 AM | Between 6:30 AM & 8:30 AM | Between 6:30 AM & 8:30 AM |
| Pick Up | 11:30 AM | Between 12:30 PM & 1:00PM | Between 3:00 PM & 6:00 PM |
The Early Childhood day is designed to provide each child with experiences for growth in social-emotional development, physical development including fine and gross motor skills, cognitive development, and language development. The following is a sampling of activities that your child will experience throughout the school year:
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Day in the Life of Preschool
Staff
Each Early Childhood class is lead by a caring teacher with a valid State of Michigan Teaching Certificate or appropriate credentials to be a lead teacher. In addition to the lead teacher, each class has an aide to lend assistance to both the students and teacher. ASA maintains the appropriate student teacher ratio as required by the State of Michigan Licensing Regulations.
All staff members are required to remain current in their training by completing classes for safety and professional development. An extensive criminal background check is also completed before their employment. Our staff's annual training includes the following areas:
- 16 hours of coursework in early childhood development
- CPR and First Aid Training
- Protecting God’s Children (Virtus®)
- Bloodborne pathogen management
- Emergency management
- Reporting neglect and abuse
