TCAPS Preschool Programs

About TCAPS Preschools

Licensed preschool programs are available for children ages 3 to 5 years of age. 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

Preschool Programming Information

Scheduling Options

  • All locations offer full-day preschool on a five (5), Monday through Friday,  three (3) Monday, Wednesday, Friday or two (2) Tuesday, Thursday days per week schedule. 
  • Half-day programming is not available.

Tuition Fees

Preschool Participation Handbook/Additional Forms

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

Toddler Program

TCAPS’ Toddler Montessori program is for children, age 18 – 36 months, and is available at TCAPS Montessori. 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 2025-2026 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 2025-2026 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. 

TCAPS Great Start Readiness ProgramGreat 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. All age eligible children are encouraged to apply.

How to Apply                                                                  

Please complete the pre application form found here:

GSRP Application Form   

or call Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency at 231.346.2116 or 800.632.7334 to begin the application process. 

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.

GSRP School Year Calendar

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

The Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency (NMCAA) is now taking applications for the 2025-2026 school year for both Headstart and Early Headstart Preschool Programs. 

Children must be 3 or 4 years old by December 1, 2025

  • 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. 


2025-2026 Registration Timeline

New Students Online Account Creation
Current TCAPS Students Register Here

  • January 20, 2025: Families can start creating their PowerSchool account to prepare for registration on February 4.
  • February 4, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. Registration Opens: All interested families are invited to begin registration. Families who have completed all required online forms will be notified beginning March 14 of their approval/status. Placement determination will be made maximizing the services provided by the program. 
  • April 18, 2025:For accepted students a non refundable enrollment deposit of $300 and documents (copy of the birth certificate, or affidavit, health appraisal, and proof of residency i.e.: utility bill, driver’s license, etc.) are due to guarantee placement. 
  • Registration remains open until January 30, 2026: enrollment is dependent on  classroom availability.

**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.


2025-2026 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:

  1. 2025-2026 Preschool Registration Form, or 2025-2026 Montessori Toddler Registration Form

  2. Submit a completed Health Appraisal forms  with immunization record. - forms must be dated no more than 12 months prior to the first day of attendance. 

New Preschool and Toddler Students

Account Creation Instructions - Click here 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. 

  1. Copy of the birth certificate, or affidavit form.
  2. Proof of Residency (Copy of a utility bill, driver’s license, etc.)
  3. Submit a completed Health Appraisal forms  Health Appraisal Form with immunization record. - forms must be dated no more than 12 months prior to the first day of attendance. 

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 or faxed to 231.933.1759. You may also drop off a hard copy at the TCAPS Administration Building.
*All documents must be clear and easy to read or an original will be requested.
 

New Students Online Account Creation

More Information or Registration Assistance

  • For more information or registration assistance, including translation, please contact Kelly Gignilliat  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.  

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). 

For information regarding financial assistance for child care services please visit MiBridges for more information. Families are required to pay tuition in full until child care assistance is fully established. After approval further details can be discussed with Child Care billing at 231.933.1733.