Hello & Welcome!
In this newsletter you will find important information regarding our Preschool & Latchkey programs. We have organized this newsletter into sections so you can quickly go to the section that is relevant to your child's program. Also, an invoice for the first session of tuition and a link to make payment was in this email. Tuition is due by Wednesday, August 14th, 2024.
All Children's Garden programs begin on the first day of school for the Grand Blanc School District which will be Monday, August 26th. Please note that the first day of school is a HALF DAY. There will be no afternoon Preschool or PM Latchkey on this day.
Our office will re-open on Wednesday, August 7th. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at 810-591-6083 or childrensgarden@gbcs.org.
Warm Regards,
Brandi Anderson
Early Childhood Coordinator
Grand Blanc Community Schools
Preschool Open House
When: Thursday, August 22nd from 5:00-7:00pm
Where: Perry Center - 11920 S. Saginaw St., Grand Blanc, MI
Feel free to come in anytime during this time frame to meet your child’s teacher, receive classroom news, and explore the gym and playground. This will be a ‘drop in’ format with no set presentation. The name of your child's teacher will be shared with you when you check in for the Open House.
The office will be open during the open house in case you have any questions or would like to drop off your child's health & immunization information.
Drop-Off & Pick-Up Procedure for Preschool
Upon entering the lobby, you will show your security pass (further details below) to front desk personnel and escort your Preschooler to the outside of their classroom. The doors to the Preschool classrooms will remain closed until the start of class time. Please use this time to help remove your child's jacket, have them use the restroom and place any items in their locker or on their hook.
When the classroom doors open, staff will be at the door to greet your child. Please say your goodbyes in the hallway and your child will enter the classroom. Although the initial separation may be difficult for your Preschooler (and you!) and there may be tears, we have found that a prolonged 'goodbye' makes it harder for Preschoolers to transition to school time. Please rest assured that your child is in excellent and experienced hands and our Preschool staff has YEARS of experience helping Preschoolers with separation those first days of school.
The opposite will happen at pick-up time. Show your pass at the entrance and then wait outside of your child's classroom door until dismissal and the classroom doors open. Staff will be at the door and dismiss students into the hallway once their pick-up person's identification has been established.
Please have all pick-up people make sure they have their photo ID on them. Preschoolers will only be dismissed to those designated on the authorized pick-up list.
ASQ-3 Developmental Screening for Preschoolers
As a parent or caregiver, you are the best source of information about your child. That’s why ASQ-3 questionnaires are designed to be filled out by you. You will only need 10–15 minutes. It’s that quick and easy.
Here’s how ASQ-3 works:
- You will answer each question “yes,” “sometimes,” or “not yet,” based on what your child is able to do now. Your answers help show your child’s strengths and areas where he or she may need practice.
- To answer each question, you can try fun and simple activities with your child. These activities encourage your child to play, move around, and practice day-to-day skills.
- After you complete the questionnaire, your child's Preschool teacher will share the results with you in the fall.
If your child is developing without concerns, there is nothing more you will need to do. If your child has trouble with some skills, we will help you with next steps. Finding delays or problems as early as possible supports young children’s healthy development. You are an active partner in your child’s learning and development. By completing ASQ-3 questionnaires, you are making sure your child is off to the best possible start!
An age-specific ASQ-3 questionnaire will be given to you at our Preschool Open House. Please complete the ASQ-3 questionnaire and return to your child's teacher on the first day of school. Teachers will score the questionnaire and go over the results with you this fall. Thank you for taking an active role in your child's development!
Parent Link ~ Become Involved in Your Child’s Preschool
Parent Link is similar to a PTO/PTA which gives parents an opportunity to become involved in their child’s education right from the start. It is a source of support and information for parents, providing valuable resources that parents can use as they guide their children through these important early years. Parent Link is organized by parents for parents with the support of the Children’s Garden staff.
- Parent Link sponsors many activities, from money raised through an annual fundraiser, for the entire family such as Gym Nights, Holiday Make & Take Craft Night, Spring Fling and the Family Picnic.
- If interested in volunteering or chairing an event, please call 591-6083.
- Scholastic Book Club ~ great deals on high quality books for preschoolers (never an obligation to buy).
- Parent Link volunteer meetings are held once a month from 5-6:00pm in the Weiss Lab at the Perry Center. Exact dates of meetings listed in the Preschool calendar.
The Safety of Your Child is our #1 Concern
So we can be accountable for all our children, parents/guardians must call their PM latchkey location if their child will not be there on their scheduled PM Latchkey day. Below you will find detailed information about each Latchkey site, including phone number. Parents/guardians must call to notify the Children’s Garden office/classroom or satellite no later than 3:45pm (2:45pm for Perry) on the day of the PM Latchkey absence. Failure to call in your child’s absence will result in a $15.00 charge each time and may result in dismissal from our program. It is not necessary to call in an AM Latchkey absence, as we assume they are with you and safe.
Your child’s safety and whereabouts is our #1 concern.
Transportation Policy For Indian Hill, Myers & Anderson Latchkey Students
1. A check system at the elementary schools has been developed to make sure that latchkey students are on the correct bus.
2. Latchkey students must take the designated PM latchkey bus from their elementary school to their Latchkey location.
3. It is Board Policy that your child is dropped off at the same location daily.
4. Indian Hill, Myers & Anderson PM latchkey students may not ride a bus home from their elementary school on days that they do not attend PM latchkey or on scheduled 1/2 days of school. Students must have “parent pick-up” on these days. Please arrange transportation on these days.
Children's Garden Latchkey Site Info
Hours of Operation:
AM Latchkey - 6:30am - 9:00am
PM Latchkey - Dismissal - 6:00pm
- Brendel
- Cook (services Cook & Mason students)
- McGrath (services Anderson & McGrath students)
- Perry (services Perry Innovation, Myers & Indian Hill students)
- Reid
Parents must escort their children to the Latchkey classroom and sign them in at AM Latchkey drop-off. For PM Latchkey, parents must enter the Latchkey classroom and sign their children out.
Please make sure any person picking up Latchkey students are on the authorized pick-up list you filled out at registration. All pick-up people should always have photo ID to ensure students are released to the appropriate pick-up people.
A snack is provided in PM Latchkey.
See below for specific information about each Latchkey site.
Let's Keep in Touch
Email: childrensgarden@gbcs.org
Website: gbcs.org/childrensgarden
Location: 11920 South Saginaw Street, Grand Blanc, MI, USA
Phone: 810-591-6083
Facebook: facebook.com/childrensgardengbcs