School may be out for the summer, but there’s still a lot going on through the Lake Orion Early Childhood Programs at the Community Education Resource Center (CERC).
Early Childhood Director Melanie O’Neil said all of the programs are accepting registration through the summer, including registration for the new Pre-Kindergarten program, replacing the Young 5’s program, previously offered by the district in the community schools.
‘There was word that the state would be cutting the funding (for Young 5’s), so the district did the responsible thing and eliminated the program, knowing that it would still exist in Early Childhood,? O’Neil said.
The Pre-K program will operate at Orion Oaks Elementary and CERC, and will be identical to the previous program offered.
‘Many people want a program of this nature, and they’re looking in private areas,? O’Neil said. ‘We’re so interconnected (with the district’s curriculum), why would you take your child anywhere else??
O’Neil said the Pre-K program will have the same curriculum as Young 5’s, and will operate four days a week, for 3-hour, half-day sessions (morning or afternoon).
‘The classes will be taught by a highly qualified teacher and an assistant,? she said. ‘The maximum class size is 17 children, and it’s very individualized. It’s true preparation for kindergarten.?
O’Neil said there is a symbiotic relationship between preschool teachers and kindergarten teachers in the district, with lots of communication between the two to adequately prepare children for kindergarten.
The program can accommodate a total of 68 children, and openings are currently available at both Orion Oaks and CERC. The deadline to register is Aug. 30.
O’Neil said in the past, the program in the district was play-based, with eight major focus areas in the curriculum.
Due to rigorous state requirements, there are now 42 requirements that students must meet before moving on.
‘It’s an enormous expectation for children,? she said. ‘Our program is a theme-based approach, including letter recognition, number concept, a strong literature base and developing social relationships.?
O’Neil said the program will also focus on reading readiness, as well as exploration, play and discovery.
‘There will be individualized instruction, parent-teacher conferences throughout the year, and reports to the kindergarten teachers,? she said.
Children should be turning five on or before Dec. 31 as a general guideline for the Pre-K program.
Besides Pre-K, Early Childhood at CERC also has a variety of expanding programs going on throughout the summer to meet the needs of children of all ages.
The program will be expanding into another wing of the CERC, and has child care programs for infants and toddlers, community preschool, Head Start (free preschool), and CARE preschool, half free and half tuition-based, depending on qualifiers.
Early Childhood also operates Latch Key programs for before and after care at all of the district’s elementary schools, and openings are available in every program.
Throughout the summer, parents can also take advantage of the Little Dragons Camp, including preparation for kindergarten and child care. The campers have ‘Water Day? at the LOHS pool every Friday, with a special little pool set up for toddlers.
There are also field trips, and emergency service is available as well.
‘If a family only needs two weeks, we’ll take them,? O’Neil said.
The CERC also has a large playground, and is open year-round, Mon.-Fri., 6:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
‘Children need a preschool experience,? O’Neil said. ‘It’s no longer optional. It’s their foundation for kindergarten.?
To learn more, visit www.lakeorion.k12.mi.us/earlychildhood.
To register for any of the Early Childhood programs,
including the Pre-K, contact CERC at 693-5439.