TCAPS 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.

• 2025-2026 Preschool Tuition Fees
• 2025-2026 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

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 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:

GSRP Pre Application Form   

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.

GSRP School Year Calendar

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

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. A non refundable enrollment deposit of $300 per student (applied toward registration fee and tuition) if accepted is due on Friday, April 18.

• 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 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 4 - January 30, 2026: 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 $300 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.

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 Form with immunization record. 

   1. 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  

   2. 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

   3. Section one must be completed by the guardian with a signature and date

   4. Official immunizations must be attached or written in on page two

      1. If written in a medical representative must sign section three

   5. Physician must sign and date in the appropriate section

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 Form with immunization record.

   1. 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  

   2. 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

   3. Section one must be completed by the guardian with a signature and date

   4. Official immunizations must be attached or written in on page two

      1. If written in a medical representative must sign section three

   5. 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 231.933.1759. 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 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.  

Online payments for preschool registration fees and tuition can be paid online via eFunds for Schools. 

eFunds Information

• Access eFunds for Schools to make online payments
• eFunds Registration Instruction Guide

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

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.