Great Start Collaborative
Hillsdale County - September 2024
Family Fun
Library Card Sign-Up Month
Autobots, roll out…to the library!
Whether you’re upgrading your skills, scouting for knowledge and information, or connecting with other heroic readers, a library card is your key to an arsenal of resources. Spark your creativity as a builder or programmer by tinkering in your library’s makerspace; mine the library’s stacks and databases for new stories and adventures; kickstart your critical thinking skills to defeat the Decepticons of misinformation lurking online. Hitting the road? Use your library card to fuel your mind with books, e-books, audiobooks, and museum passes.
American Library Association is teaming up with multiplatform entertainment company Skybound Entertainment and leading toy and game company Hasbro to encourage people to roll out to their libraries with the TRANSFORMERS franchise, featuring Optimus Prime, as part of Library Card Sign-Up Month in September. Read the full announcement.
Check with your local library for more details!
Upcoming Events
Preschool
It is not too late to sign up for preschool!
Have you secured a preschool placement for your 3 or 4-year-old? We are finalizing applications and accepting students NOW. Please call 517-257-9287 to get the process started. We have preschool locations across the county including Camden, Hillsdale, Jonesville, Litchfield, North Adams-Jerome, Pittsford, Reading, & Waldron. Some locations have multiple options! Did you know that Hillsdale Preparatory School, Community Action Agency, and Hillsdale Area Career Center all have preschool options located within their location? Call us today to see what options you have for your preschooler!
http://www.greatstarthillsdale.com/preschool-sign-up.html
Below are the application steps!
Step 1: Complete an interest form either online (http://www.greatstarthillsdale.com/preschool-sign-up.html) or by phone!
Step 2: Receive a call and/or e-mail to get the full application completed! You submit income information, birth certificate, and complete a family interview at this step!
Step 3: Your child is put on a waitlist ready to get a spot when it’s available!
Step 4: Placements begin and students are released to classrooms following our priority listing requirements!
Step 5: You get a call from your potential preschool program to confirm you want the spot & go over the details of the classroom!
Don’t miss out! If you haven’t gotten a call about completing registration, please call (517) 437-3346 extension 3246 or (517) 257-9287!
Welcome Baby Home Visit!
Little Free Library
Great Start Collaborative Family Coalition Little Free Library Initiative
Did you know that there are many Little Free Libraries in Hillsdale County... 15 of which we monitor.
The Great Start Collaborative Family Coalition members volunteer to help keep our Little Free Libraries stocked with children's books throughout the year.
For more information on Little Free Library please visit https://littlefreelibrary.org/
Mom Meet Up
When: Every Friday at 10am
Who: Moms and their little rascals
Where: Hillsdale First Baptist (across from the library)
What: A chance to spill coffee while chatting, and see who can stack the most toy blocks while making new mom friends
Prenatal & Postpartum Exercise Opportunity
Don't miss out! Prenatal/Postpartum Birth Ball Exercise Class is every Saturday at 10 am, 9 E Bacon (next to the library). It's FREE! All trimesters up to 2 years postpartum welcome. Join for fun, and maybe some belly laughs, that will also help to strengthen your core. Bring your ball and yoga mat if you have them. Let's have a great time together!
CAPA Offerings
Helping Hands Pregnancy Resource Center
CAA Offerings
BHSJ Community Health Agency
MSU Extension Offerings
Child Care
Great Start to Quality allows you to search for all licensed programs in Michigan. You can search in the ways that are most important to you, whether it is by area, cost, or specific needs.