Philosophy | Activities | Facility | Field Trips | Siblings | Food Allergies

We have two options for your child depending on his/her age:
* A class for four-year-olds which meets on Monday, Wednesday and Friday (tuition: $375/semester)
* A class for three-year-olds which meets on Tuesday and Thursday (tuition: $265/semester)

Both classes meet from 9:10 to 11:30 am.  There are 16 children per class, with one teacher and three assisting parents to maintain a ratio of one adult to every four children. Financial aid is available. 

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Philosophy
The preschool years are an important time in the development of a child’s feelings of security and self-esteem. We feel that these needs can best be nourished through the joint efforts of a qualified, understanding teacher and caring parents contributing to a play-based program. A well-designed daily routine provides security for the children in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere that fosters caring and respectful social relationships. The children are encouraged to develop creativity, self-discipline and thinking skills through a rich variety of activities such as art, music, dress-up, story time, block building and field trips. Our hope is that children will grow physically, intellectually, and emotionally. We welcome a diverse membership, and parents are encouraged to share their cultures and traditions with the children.

Program Activities

Art: An art activity is available daily for the children in the A room. Art projects prompt children to express their thoughts and emotions in a non-verbal manner, to problem solve and try new things, and develop eye/hand coordination through the use of crayons, paints, clay, pasting and cutting.
                                                                                 
Block Building: Blocks have a natural appeal as well as an educational value for children. By building with blocks, children use their imagination, develop hand-eye coordination, motor skills, shape recognition, and balance. Building helps children begin to learn the relationship of size and parts.

Books and Language: Literature is an integral part of the preschool experience, and being read to is an essential step in developing a child’s desire and ability to read and write. The teacher and parents read regularly to the whole class, small groups and to individual children. There is a quiet area where the children have easy access to a variety of books, which they may check out weekly and share at home. They will also be given the opportunity to create short stories, write letters to other classmates, practice writing and reading their name, and practice writing and recognizing letters, numbers, and shapes. They will also develop language and vocabulary through story telling while using the magnetic board.

Dramatic Play: Children grow through self-expression, and dramatic play allows them to act out their thoughts and express their feelings. Children can come up with their own ideas for creative dramatic play activities, and through these experiences explore their curiosities and make sense of the world around them. Everything from play food to dress up costumes to puppets in the theater are available.

Gross Motor Activities: Through gross motor activities, children develop large muscles, become more comfortable with their own bodies and develop a concept of space. They have an opportunity for this type of play indoors and outside.

Music: Music is an important part of our day. Not only do we have fun dancing and singing, but the children are developing many parts of their bodies. While dancing, children are learning to develop and control both listening skills and physical movements. Listening to music helps children develop pathways in their brains to improve math, language, and thinking skills. We use bells, streamers, rhythm sticks, musical instruments, and various types of music to assist the children in this area.

Sand and Water Table: Playing in sand and water helps them develop their minds and bodies in a relaxing and enjoyable way. They learn concepts such as measurement, space, quantity and relative size. Some of the materials used include buckets, measuring cups, rakes, shovels, sifters, scales, bubbles and straws.

Table Activities: We have many activities and games that develop fine motor, reading and math skills. These include puzzles, size and shape sorters, pattern beads, counting frames, Legos, manipulative toys, play dough, Lincoln Logs, and board games.

Facility
In the Fall of 2004, Glacier Way relocated to West Side United Methodist Church on S. Seventh St., between Pauline Blvd. and W. Liberty St.  near Ann Arbor’s historic west side.  We are sponsored by the West Side United Methodist church as an outreach program to the neighboring community.  As such, we strive to work cooperatively for the benefit of each organization; however, we remain non-sectarian, do not teach religion and operate independently of the church. Our classrooms have large windows which give them a light-filled, open feeling. The fenced-in playground near the school is used daily.  We have ample parking near the entrance to the school.

Click here to view photos of our facility.

Field Trips
Each class takes several field trips per year. Past outings include the Leslie Science and Nature Center, a trout farm, an apple orchard, the library, a gymnastics studio and a music instrument store. Parents are responsible for transportation to and from field trip destinations.

Click here to view field trip photos.

Siblings
A sibling nursery is available for parents to use on their assist days. It is located down the hall from the preschool. Participating parents take turns assisting in the sibling nursery in addition to their regular assist days.

Food Allergies
We strive to accommodate food allergies or specific dietary needs of the children. Decisions on how to do so will be made on a case-by-case basis. Please be aware that it is the responsibility of the parent of the child with food allergies to check the snack every day to ensure its safety.

A day at Glacier Way: 8:15 - Teacher arrives and prepares for the day. 8:55 - Assist parents arrive to help prepare activities. 9:10-9:20 - Children arrive. 9:20-9:35 – First circle time 9:35-10:30 - Choice time:  -Art  -Blocks  -Books  -Puzzles  -Writing/Language  -Fine motor activities  -Playdough  -Sand/Water Table  -Dramatic Play Area  -Science/Math 10:30-10:40 - Clean-up time 10:40-11:00 - Second circle time 11:00-11:15 - Snack 11:15-11:30 - Active play (outside, weather permitting) 11:30 – School day ends