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

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. 

PDF Document2024-25 Schedule and Tuition

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.

PDF Document2024-25 District Calendar

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.  

PDF Document2024-2025 Schedule and Tuition

First day of Preschool 2024

September 3-4

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.


We are still accepting mid-year applications for families that would like to join us September 2024 to May 2025. 
SCHEDULE OPTIONS & TUITION

PDF DocumentDLECC 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. 

Google Doc2024/2025 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.

PDF DocumentHealth Appraisal

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

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. 

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.

DLECC Preschool Calendar

Caledonia Community Schools district calendar


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!

External LinkBrightWheel: 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!

PRESCHOOL PICK UP AND DROP OFF

Please review the map for important changes for this school year

PDF DocumentPick up and drop off map





Preschool Supply Wishlists will be included in the teacher welcome letters!

 

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. 

External LinkTV stations

External Linktext alerts

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

The Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) is a state-funded free preschool program run by the Kent ISD for qualifying four-year-old children. Families qualify based on income and other factors. Please visit the GSRP website to learn more about eligibility & locations. 

External LinkGSRP website

Early Childhood Center

9751 Duncan Lake Ave
Caledonia, MI 49316

Preschool

Ashley Johnson
Teacher
Trisha Scott
Teacher
Robin Trocinski
Teacher
Christina White
Teacher
Meredith Baker
Paraprofessional
Pamela Dahlberg
Paraprofessional
Stephanie Dykgraaf
Paraprofessional
Melanie Tilma
Paraprofessional