The Discovery Center
Child Care and Preschool
Preschool at The Discovery Center
Preschool is for children who are potty-trained and between the ages of three and six. Children who are currently enrolled may also attend after kindergarten. We have an open home-like environment. Children are allowed to choose from different play areas: Montessori (Blue Room), art, large muscle play (Brown Room), science, dramatic play, and a large adventure playground.
Curriculum
Our curriculum combines Montessori with traditional preschool. Research has shown that children learn best when their activities are child-initiated and hands-on. Our environment is carefully structured so that children can do most things for themselves. Themes, some of them chosen by the children, are changed every two or three weeks so that there are fresh materials for the children to work with.
Field Trips
We go on field trips once or twice a month depending on what we are studying. The Nature Center, grocery store, fire department and Kalamazoo Valley Museum are some of our destinations. Parents and a teacher drive on these trips. Four and five year olds go on most of the trips. Three and under get to pick apples in the fall and go to the Nature Center's farm in the spring. An all day field trip to Binder Park Zoo celebrates the end of the school year for kids going on to Kindergarten.
Preschool/Extended Care Daily Schedule
Hours of Operation: 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Preschool Hours: 9:00 - 11:30 am and 2:00 - 4:30 pm
Our day at The Discovery Center allows for lots of time for the children to pursue their own interests.
| 7:30 am | We start the day with breakfast and play time in either the Brown Room or the Blue Room. |
| 9:00 am | We have "Line Time", where the teachers tell the children what is happening in the Art Room, Science Room and Blue Room. Children either choose to participate in a project in the room that interests them or stay in the Brown Room. |
| 9:10 am - 11:00 am | The snack table is open. Children choose when they'd like to have snack so that their time isn't interrupted. They are able to help themselves as they get hungry. The children are free to move from room to room as long as there is space in the room. |
| 10:00 am | We open the outside playground for anyone who wants to go out. The Brown Room is closed to Preschoolers so that the toddlers and transition kids may use it. |
| 11:00 am | First music and small group for the younger children followed by lunch and nap. |
| 11:40 am | Second music and small group for the older children followed by lunch and quiet time. Children who don't sleep rest until 1:15 and then go outside until 2. Children who sleep join the group as they awaken. |
| 2:00 pm | Afternoon "Line Time", where the teachers tell the children what is happening in the Art Room, Science Room and Blue Room. Children either choose to participate in a project in the room that interests them or stay in the Brown Room. |
| 2:10 am - 5:30 pm | The snack table is open. Children choose when they'd like to have snack so that their time isn't interrupted. They are able to help themselves as they get hungry. The children are free to move from room to room as long as there is space in the room. |
| 4:00 or 5:00 pm | Outside playground closes, depending on the weather |
| 5:30 pm | The Discovery Center Closes |
Growing Up...
Summer camp, before/after school care, care during holiday vacation and snow days is available to children who attended The Discovery Center as a preschooler.
Please email discoverycenter@charter.net or call 269-372-0007 to set up a tour.