Duncan Lake Preschool
Preschool is offered for children three and four years of age at Duncan Lake Early Childhood Center (DLECC). This is a tuition-based program and children attend two or three half days per week. Extended and full day options are available for four-year-olds to prepare them for full-day Kindergarten.
Our preschool uses the Connect4Learning curriculum. The curriculum is aligned to the Caledonia Community Schools (CCS) Kindergarten curriculum and focuses on literacy, math, science, and social-emotional development. All families in the Caledonia school district and the surrounding communities are invited to apply.
References for Parents
Preschool FAQ
General Questions
Is there a cost to attend preschool?
The DLECC Preschool is a tuition-based program. We charge an enrollment fee of $75 for new students and $25 for returning students. Tuition is due on the first of each month and is based on the length of the class.
What is the school calendar?
The DLECC Preschool calendar follows the Caledonia Community School district calendar for the majority of the year. Any differences that are specific to preschool, such as the start and end date and half day schedule, will be shared in August with all preschool families.
Will my child bring a snack?
All students are encouraged to bring a water bottle to school each day. Full and Extended day students are eligible to receive a school lunch at no cost. Parents must provide a snack.
Full day: Lunch and Snack
Extended Day: Lunch and Snack
Half Day: Snack
Are there classroom parties?
Yes. We host classroom holiday parties for Halloween, Christmas, and Valentine’s Day. Parents are invited to attend parties to volunteer to help run games or they can help at home by planning crafts and preparing snacks.
Does my child have to be potty trained?
Yes, your child must be potty trained to attend Duncan Lake Preschool. We ask that parents provide a change of clothing that is kept in their child’s backpack in case accidents happen when at school.
Will there be an opportunity in the fall for my child to see their classroom?
We anticipate holding an open house a few weeks before school starts.
Parent Involvement
How can I be involved in my child’s school?
Parents are invited to participate in various ways, such as volunteering in the classroom or at special events, supplying items for classroom activities or parties, or joining our school PTO. The PTO meets to discuss ways to give support to the ECC programming and plan special events throughout the year.
How will I communicate with my child’s teacher?
We value ongoing communication with parents. Parents have many methods of communicating with teachers, including Brightwheel messaging, email, telephone, and in person at drop off/pick up.
Do teachers hold parent/teacher conferences?
Yes. Parents have an opportunity in November and March to meet with their child’s teacher to discuss goals and celebrate their child’s achievements. Teachers complete a student progress report three times per year which is shared with parents.
Curriculum
Which curriculum does Duncan Lake Preschool use?
Our classrooms use Connect4Learning. This curriculum uses a combination of Social/Emotional, Science, Math, and Literacy based objectives to prepare students for their experience in kindergarten.
How will I know what my child is learning in the classroom?
Teachers provide a monthly newsletter to keep parents informed of classroom events. Newsletters include details about themes, activities and special events in the classroom. Teachers also maintain a virtual classroom via Seesaw in which children and families can participate in activities at home.
Schedule & Tuition
2025-2026 Schedule and Tuition
Enrollment Fee
The enrollment fee is $75/new students or $100/families and $25 for returning students. An invoice will be posted in your family's Brightwheel account and the payment will be processed online. We will only collect an enrollment fee if we can offer you a confirmed spot on the roster. If the class you selected is full, you are welcome to join the waitlist at no charge. If an opening becomes available, then we will contact you to collect your enrollment fee to confirm your spot.
Tuition Payments
9 monthly payments due the 1st of every month, September to May. Please remember to register for autopay by August 15.
2024-2025 Schedule and Tuition
First day of Preschool 2024
September 3-4
25/26 Preschool Enrollment
Follow this link to enroll in Preschool for the 25/26 School Year.
January 7- Open enrollment for returning families
February 1- Open enrollment for all families
Mid-Year Enrollment for 2024-2025
We are still accepting mid-year applications for families that would like to join us September 2024 to May 2025.
SCHEDULE OPTIONS & TUITION
DLECC Preschool Schedule and Tuition
STEP ONE: COMPLETE YOUR PRESCHOOL APPLICATION Save your spot in line in your preferred classroom section. You do not need to submit any documentation during the application process. Rostered spots will be filled on a first-come-first-served basis using a timestamp collected in your application.
2024/2025 Preschool Application
STEP TWO: WAIT FOR YOUR CONFIRMATION EMAIL
After completing your online application, look for a confirmation email to arrive within 2-5 business days during the school year (September - May) with the next steps.
Your confirmation email will contain an invitation to join Brightwheel or to add your child to your existing account with us. Our preschool uses a website called Brightwheel for enrollment documents, communication, and billing. All of the links will be provided to you and the forms can be filled out online, making this a simple and streamlined process for our families.
STEP THREE: HEALTH APPRAISAL
Before we can schedule your first day of school, we need to have a Health Appraisal signed by your child's physician. This can be downloaded and dropped off in the school office.
ENROLLMENT FEE
The enrollment fee is $75/student or $100/family. An invoice will be posted in your family's Brightwheel account and the payment will be processed online. We will only collect an enrollment fee if we can offer you a confirmed spot on the roster. If the class you selected is full, you are welcome to join the waitlist at no charge. If an opening becomes available, then we will contact you to collect your enrollment fee to confirm your spot.
QUESTIONS?
Please reach out! We would love to talk with you. We are in the office Monday-Friday, 8AM - 3:30PM. You are welcome to call or email anytime!
616-891-6220
Classroom Assignments
Classroom Assignments
We use the Brightwheel app to communicate with our families and as our contactless check in/out for students. Teacher announcements will be shared within Brightwheel in mid August. Please make sure your Brightwheel account has a current email address for your family and be sure to download the app by August 1st. Your child’s teacher will also be sending you communication to welcome you and your child to school.
Calendar
Additional event dates during the school year are TBD and will be posted here at a later date. Please refer to district calendar the for scheduled holidays and breaks. If Caledonia is closed for the day or if they have a half day, Preschool will not be in session.
Caledonia Community Schools district calendar
School Procedures
BRIGHTWHEEL
BrightWheel is a convenient system for daily check in/out, bill paying and communication with your teacher! Here is a helpful video about how to use BrightWheel!
BrightWheel: App Basics for Parents
Classroom teacher assignments are shared in your Brightwheel account.
MONTHLY TUITION PAYMENTS
Please make sure you have signed up for AUTOPAY in Brightwheel by the end of August. The first tuition payment is due on 9/1.
Autopay using debit/credit card will be charged a 2.95% processing fee. Use ACH autopay at no additional charge!
Back to School Supply List
Preschool Supply Wishlists will be included in the teacher welcome letters!
Preschool Handbook
School Closing and Delays
There are certain days built into the preschool calendar that are predetermined days off (professional development, holidays, etc.) and are not made up.
School closings and delays are made to assure the safety of children. You must make your own judgment about driving in hazardous weather situations. If bad weather begins and you wish to pick your child up early, please feel free to do so. The decision to close because of snow or other emergency is in accordance with the Caledonia Community Schools.
School closings are communicated on local radio and TV stations. You can sign up for text alerts through Wood TV 8.
In the event of snow or other emergency, please note the following:
- If Caledonia Community Schools are closed, DLECC will be closed, please note there will be no make up for days we have to close.
- If Caledonia Community Schools are delayed 2 hours, there will be NO a.m. preschool, however, afternoon preschool will run their regular schedule.
- If Caledonia Community Schools are delayed 2 hours, extended day preschool or all day preschool will begin session at 11:00 a.m., with an abbreviated day ending at regular dismissal times.
- If Caledonia Community Schools close early due to snow or other emergency, DLECC will close early. Parents will be contacted.
Programs & Services
"CHILD FIND" Program for Early Intervention
