Enrolling ages 2 1/2 – 5 now! Contact us to schedule a tour!
Enrolling ages 2 1/2 – 5 now! Contact us to schedule a tour!
Our Programs
Choice-based, NAEYC accredited preschool with full- and half-day options.
About Our Preschool Program
Our preschools at both our Southwest and East locations offer play-based learning. This type of learning uses play as the primary method of teaching and learning, helping children develop essential life skills while having fun. Specifically, we use choice-based play, which empowers children to make decisions about their play activities, promoting autonomy and engagement in the learning process.
Dedicated, skilled teachers who are experts in early education and development and who prioritize ensuring every child is valued and included
Choice-based play and activities that pique curiosity and creativity, while fostering inclusivity
Personalized, play-based learning in small groups, as our child-to-educator ratios are small
HighScope is a curriculum that is based on 50 years of research and widely implemented across the country. It is built around active, intentional learning
Our Locations
Our House and Forest locations offer vibrant, safe environments for children. Each facility is designed to foster creativity and learning through play.
A home away from home on 2.5 lots in Burns Park that includes educator-guided field walks in the neighborhood, explorations around town, playground experiences, and open classrooms with small child:teacher ratios. NAEYC accredited. HighScope curriculum.
1611 Westminster Place, Ann Arbor, MI
(734) 761-7101
Fun and supportive learning environment, with 45 acres of fields, trails, school gardens and playgrounds that surround bright classrooms with small child:teacher ratios. GSRP (Free Pre-K). HighScope curriculum.
4001 Ann Arbor-Saline Road, Ann Arbor, MI
(734) 680-5282
Fill out our Preschool Form of Interest and a team member will reach out to your shortly to initiate the process. You can also contact us to schedule a tour of our locations.
Our Team - Forest
Our Forest Preschool staff are especially trained to help young children thrive in outdoor learning.
Director
Beth joined CDC in 2006 and became the Forest campus director in 2018. She has a Master’s in Elementary Education and enjoys crafts and time with her four kids.
Assistant Director
Kelly started at CDC in 2022 and has a background in early childhood education with a love for young learners. She enjoys painting, reading, and time outdoors with family.
Lead Teacher (2.5 Year-Olds)
Ibbie joined CDC in March 2024 and has worked in childcare since 2016, guided by her belief in the importance of early childhood development. With a Bachelor’s in Music, she brings a loving, nurturing approach and enjoys listening to music in her free time.
Lead Teacher (Pre-School)
Katie began working at CDC in August 2022 and has degrees in Social Work, Music, and a Master’s in Music Therapy. She enjoys crafting, making music, and spending time outdoors with her family and puppy, and values CDC’s commitment to serving the whole child and community.
Assistant Teacher
Christian joined CDC in 2021 and holds an Associate’s Degree in Secondary Education. He lives in Ann Arbor with his wife and enjoys movies, games, and the welcoming environment at CDC that reflects his ideal vision of a school.
Lead Teacher (Pre-K)
Diana has been with CDC since 2007, teaching pre-K and now Kindergarten/Young 5s at CDC-Forest. She holds a degree in Elementary Education from Eastern Michigan University and loves spending time outdoors with her husband, kids, and pets.
Lead Teacher (Pre-School)
Mari joined CDC in Spring 2022 after transitioning from the corporate world and raising her children at home. Now working with preschoolers in the Middle group, she holds a CDA and enjoys gardening, playing dominos, and helping on her family’s Christmas tree farm.
Permanent Substitute
Melissa started at CDC in 2021 and has both her Bachelor’s and Master’s from Eastern Michigan University. She lives in Adrian and enjoys camping, swimming, and spending time with family—she loves CDC’s friendly, community atmosphere.
Lead Teacher (Pre-K)
Sydney started at CDC Forest in Winter 2022 and holds degrees in Children and Family Studies and Applied Behavior Psychology. She enjoys reading, writing, and traveling, and is passionate about helping children reach their full potential.
Permanent Substitute
Maria joined CDC in fall 2025 and is working towards a degree in early childhood. She loves to read, and spend time outside swimming, running, or hammocking.
Join Us
Check out our current job opportunities on our Indeed profile.
Our Team - House
Our House Preschool staff are trained in and passionate about young children’s education and learning.
Director
Nikki began at CDC in 2018 and became Director of CDC House in August 2022. She has a Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education, HighScope certification, and loves the beach, video games, and time with her two children, Juliet and Gibson.
Middle Group Teacher
Lakida joined CDC in October 2021 and holds a Bachelor’s in Human Services and a Master’s in Adult Education and Training. She’s currently pursuing a HighScope certification and another Master’s in Elementary Education, and enjoys art, movement, storytelling—and still believes in magic.
Preschool Teacher
Amber joined CDC as a student teacher in the fall of 2019, and is now a lead teacher. Amber has a bachelor’s degree in Elementary and Early Childhood Education from Eastern Michigan University. Amber was born and raised in Michigan, and enjoys family time, sitting by the water, and doing several forms of art. Amber has always had a passion for caring for children, teaching them, and celebrating new goals they reach!
Teacher (2.5 Year-Olds)
Rue has worked with children for five years and dreams of opening their own center one day. Originally from Georgia, they now live in Michigan and enjoy time with their partner and cats, cooking, and playing Zelda.
Teacher (Pre-K)
Nick joined CDC in 2021 and brings over a decade of experience working with children in diverse settings. Originally from Ohio, he now lives in Michigan and enjoys caring for over 80 houseplants, spending time with his boyfriend, and their cat.
Middle Group
Brie began at CDC in September 2022 and holds a Bachelor’s in Social Work from Eastern Michigan University. She has experience in play therapy, nannying, and church programming, and enjoys gardening, reading fantasy novels, and running D&D games.
Teacher Assistant
India, an Ann Arbor native, started working for CDC in summer 2024 through summer camp and Kids Club. She studied culinary arts and business at WCC, loves spontaneous adventures, and adores her tiny, gorgeous yorkie-shih tzu mix.
Teacher Assistant
Emily has worked at CDC for about a year and a half, supporting both the Forest preschool and Lawton Kids Club. She’s studying Psychology with a focus on Art Therapy for children at WCC and enjoys reading, art, and learning new things in her spare time.
Join Us
Check out our current job opportunities on our Indeed profile.
Our Pricing
See below for our latest prices. Drop-in rates are available for families who want to add time to contracted schedule.
Tuition assistance is available, based on household income, as funds available. In order to be considered for reduced tuition, families must apply for scholarship/financial assistance.
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2 Days per Week Prices are monthly. |
3 Days per Week Prices are monthly. |
4 Days per Week Prices are monthly. |
5 Days per Week Prices are monthly. |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toddler Rates (from age 2 years and 1 month to age 2 years and 5 months) | ||||
| Full Day: 7:45 AM - 5:15 PM | $955.90 | $1,433.30 | $1,908.00 | $2,076.00 |
| Half Day: 7:45 AM - 1:30 PM (pick up after lunchtime) | $662.20 | $993.50 | $1,309.00 | $1,571.90 |
| Morning Only: 7:45 AM - 12 PM (pick up before lunchtime) | $577.50 | $866.80 | $1,152.80 | $1,368.40 |
| Preschool/Pre-Kindergarten (from age 2 years and 6 months to age 5 years) | ||||
| Full Day: 7:45 AM - 5:15 PM | $869 | $1,303 | $1,735 | $1,888 |
| Half Day: 7:45 AM - 1:30 PM (pick up after lunchtime) | $602 | $905 | $1,190.00 | $1,429 |
| Morning Only: 7:45 AM - 12 PM (pick up before lunchtime) | $525 | $788 | $1,048 | $1,244 |
Add-ons for enrolled children as available:
Lunch prep (forgot lunch): $14.25
Extended day (contracted for half day and add): $41.50
Morning-only drop-in: $64.00
Half-day drop-in: $75.00
Whole-day drop-in: $105.00
Community Day Care participates in the Mi Tri-Share Program and the Michigan Child Development and Care Subsidy through MiBridges. If you qualify, please let us know so we can provide you with our provider identification number for your case worker.
For families interested in applying for financial assistance, please indicate this is in your enrollment application. You will be contacted with directions for completing a separate application for financial assistance.
Kind words from our community over the years.
Here are some common questions about our Preschool program.
First step, fill out our interest form. Next step, contact us to schedule a tour. Preschool enrollment happens in January.
CDC has a curriculum plan based on our philosophy that children learn best through active play and exploration. We follow the HighScope approach and our curriculum includes time for children to work together, solve problems, and learn key skills for their specific stages of development.
State of Michigan Childcare Licensing Regulations require all preschools to offer a rest time to all children who are in all day care. Rest time is structured so that children who need to sleep are given time to fall asleep while all children are laying quietly on cots listening to stories being read by one of our teachers. After those children are asleep, quiet activities are provided for those who remain awake.
Teachers communicate pictures, lesson plans, and other information about your child’s day at CDC through an education app. Families will also be able to attend conferences to discuss development and goals with teachers throughout the year.
No, your child does not need to be potty trained before starting at the CDC. We understand that every child develops at their own pace, and it’s not developmentally appropriate to expect all children to be fully trained by a certain age.
When the time feels right, we’ll work together as a team—family and teachers—to support your child through the process. We’ll look for signs of readiness and create a plan that’s responsive to your child’s needs and comfort.
We provide a morning and afternoon snack each day. Snacks include items from at least two food groups and are designed to be nutritious and age-appropriate. We serve 1% milk with the morning snack and water in the afternoon.
No, children who stay for lunch will need to bring a packed lunch from home. We do not have refrigeration available and recommend including an ice pack if any items need to be kept cool.