The TSD Preschool curriculum is designed from a comprehensive approach; we’ve incorporated the best of several philosophies to ensure the highest quality programming for our students.  Authentic, balanced literacy is at the heart of our daily interactions with students.  The influence of Reading Recovery and the work of Marie Clay echoes throughout our work with preschoolers by having their interactions with literacy be meaningful and imbedded. We emphasize the importance of each child’s oral language development, and partner this with intentional and developmentally appropriate interactions with print.  Teachers implement the Essential Instructional Practices in Early Literacy, which is in direct alignment to the Early Childhood Standards of Quality for Pre-Kindergarten.

Our commitment to the Essential Instructional Practices in Early Literacy is coupled with use of the HighScope framework which ensures a consistent daily routine for all students.  The HighScope approach supports active, play-based learning and builds on children’s interests. During active learning, children construct knowledge through immediate hands-on experiences, scaffolded by teacher expertise.  The components of High Scope include: Approaches to Learning, Social and Emotional Development, Physical Development and Health, Language, Literacy and Communication, Mathematics, Creative Arts, Science and Technology, and Social Studies.

Troy School District Preschools are proud of the connections and partnerships which support our vision.  TSD students and staff benefit from our long-lasting University partnerships with Oakland University and Teachers College at Columbia University. 

Our programming has an ongoing connection to resources within the Troy Community including Troy Public Library, Stage Nature Center, and Troy Youth Assistance.  We strive for an inclusive environment in which students see themselves as active members in both our learning environment and the larger Troy Community.

TSD Preschool offers Head Start, Great Start Readiness Preschool (GSRP), tuition preschool, and Early Childhood Special Education Preschool.

Preference for grant program admittance is given to students living in the Troy School District attendance area.  Grant funded programs prioritize students based on the highest documented need.

Call the preschool office at 248.823.3000 to be placed on the contact list in spring.

Great Start Readiness (GSRP)

Students must be four years old by December 1.  The main qualifying factor for GSRP is low to moderate family income.   In addition to income, other qualifying factors are considered.

Head Start

Accepts 3 and 4 year old children. Children must turn 3 on or before September 1st of the current school year.  Preference is given to three year olds.

Acceptance into the program is prioritized for families with income within the Federal Poverty Guidelines as documented with a current income tax return (or other supporting documents).

• GSRP: 4 Full Days

• 5 Full Days (8-3 or 8:30-3:30)

• 5 Half Days (8:00-11:00, 8:30-11:30, 12:00-3:00 or 12:30- 3:30)

Based on current research, children having a high quality preschool experience, are more confident socially and emotionally for future learning.

Families who have a child enrolled in our preschool programs during the current school year.

TSD Preschool serves children ages 3-5.  Children must be 3 by December 1 of that school year.  If they are not yet 3 at the time school begins, their tuition will be prorated to their third birthday when they are able to begin.  For example, if your child turns 3 on October 1, 2022, you can enroll them for preschool, however, due to licensing requirements they are not able to begin school until on or after October 1, 2022.

There are several reasons someone might select a mixed-age class.   Depending upon the age of the student, the student might spend two years with the same teaching team.  All Troy preschools differentiate instruction, meaning the teaching team strives to meet children where they are developmentally. 

For the mixed age classroom, younger children can learn positive behaviors from older children, and have great language models to learn from. Younger children get exposed to more advanced play skills (dramatic play, etc.) and problem solving skills, while older children get experience being leaders and helping the younger children.

Mixed-age grouping invites cooperation and other pro-social behaviors, the discipline problems of competitive environments can often be minimized.

Older children scaffold younger ones. Younger children look to older ones as models. It’s not just the younger ones who benefit from the older; older children learn by being models for the younger ones. It’s a win-win.

Having a room full of children at different ages means no one has to feel judged for “not measuring up”—they can all find people they relate to in different ways.

A mixture of ages within a class can be particularly desirable for children functioning below age group norms in some areas of their development. These children may find it less stressful to interact with younger peers than with same-age peers. Such interactions can enhance younger children's motivation and self-confidence

There is a lottery process for Schools of Choice acceptance. Please refer to Schools of Choice FAQs

Class will be held on half days. Morning and afternoon classes will rotate. Your child’s teacher can provide further information.

In most cases, full day programs follow the Troy School District calendar. If school is in session on a half day, the preschool program will be in session for a half day in the morning. Families needing extended day child care for the afternoon, may register separately for half-day child care on these days.

Yes, Explorers Child Care is offered from 6:30AM- 6:00PM.  Families enrolled in preschool will be offered the opportunity to enroll in before & after care in the spring.

Yes.  We offer both part-time and full-time preschool summer program options.  This information is available for enrollment in spring of each school year.

Yes. A child’s placement cannot be held without payment. If a parent chooses to withdraw, a two week written notice is requested.

Credits are not given for school closings due to weather or emergency school closings.

While all children develop in their own time, teachers make every effort to prepare students for kindergarten.  Through differentiated instruction, teachers work toward student achievement and success.  Teachers will communicate with families during everyday conversation, email, and conferences regarding student progress.

Our preschool teachers collaborate with kindergarten teachers and reading specialists to ensure students experience success and are prepared for kindergarten.

Parent involvement is crucial for student success.  When families are involved it sends the message that the child’s work is important.  Teachers will send home-school connections to help families reinforce and support their child’s learning.

Make reading in your home a priority. Being a role model showing your child that reading is enjoyable, can establish the beginning to becoming a strong reader, and lifelong learner.

Families will receive monthly invoices for tuition payments. 

Yes, toilet training is a requirement for attendance in TSD Preschool.  Children may not attend in pullups or diapers.  The majority of our classrooms do not have capability for diaper changing.  However, toilet training needs should never exclude a child from the preschool experience.  We know that accidents will happen, and we are prepared to work with your child to build their confidence and independence with these self-help skills if they are demonstrating readiness.  If you have a concern regarding toilet training, please communicate this concern to your child’s teacher so that we can support you. 

We do not accept age-waivers for preschool, however we do have parent-child class options for students as young as 18 months. 

Due to licensing requirements, our preschool students must begin school on or after their third birthday.  Tuition will be prorated to this date for those families affected. 

Morning programs will begin at 8:00AM or 8:30AM in an effort to accommodate families who have multiple TSD students. Full day programs will conclude at 3:00PM or 3:30PM.

Our goal is to create balanced classes. When possible, we will group students by their home elementary school in an effort to support long lasting relationships for both children and families, as well as ease the transition to Kindergarten.

In emulation of our K-12 programming, we are not able to guarantee placement with a specifically requested teacher.  However, we are aware of importance of consistency for our preschool learners and the value of maintaining those pre-existing parent/child/teacher relationships and will take that information into consideration.

Early Childhood Special Education offers transportation for qualifying preschool students.

We strive to be responsive to the needs of our community and to follow the trend of our enrollment. Some preschool programs could potentially remain at the Elementary School.

Yes all TSD programs offer hot lunch at the TSD rate. All families may apply for free or reduced lunch rate if applicable.

Call our preschool office (248) 823-3000 to be placed on the waitlist if your first-choice option is not available on our enrollment system.

Full day preschool is $9400/ year.  Half-Day is $5300/ year

Explorers AM session is $8/day, PM session is $12/day.