Troy Preschool Programs & Frequently Asked Questions
TSD Preschool FAQ's
- What is the preschool curriculum and philosophy?
- What preschool programs does Troy School District offer?
- I see that there are grant-funded FREE preschools offered. How do I qualify and apply?
- What is the main difference between the programs?
- Why are there more all day and five-day, preschool options?
- What does “current families” mean?
- What ages can enroll in the preschool program?
- Are there any benefits to a mixed-age class?
- If my child attends Troy School District preschools, and we live outside the Troy School District attendance area, will my child have a better chance or preference to attend Troy Schools for kindergarten?
- If my child attends a half-day preschool, will they have school on a half day?
- If my child attends a full day program, will they have school on a half day?
- Is before and/or school child care available for preschool students?
- Is there any summer programming for preschool children?
- My family usually takes several weeks off for travel during the school year. Do I have to pay for the time my child is absent?
- If the school is closed due to weather conditions or an emergency school closing, will my account be credited?
- Will my child be prepared for kindergarten?
- What can I do to help support my child in school?
- How will I pay my tuition?
- Is it a requirement that students be fully toilet trained to attend 3, 4, & 5-year-old preschool classes?
- My child’s birthday is a few days after the December 1st cut off date for admittance. Can I sign an age-waiver?
- I need to get my other child to Elementary School on time. Will there be staggered start time options?
- Now that tuition preschool classes are at one location, how are classes created?
- Can I request my child’s teacher?
- Do you offer transportation?
- What preschool programs will remain at the Elementary?
- Is hot lunch an option? What is the cost?
- What if my class preference is full?
- What are the tuition rates?
What is the preschool curriculum and philosophy?
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.
What preschool programs does Troy School District offer?
I see that there are grant-funded FREE preschools offered. How do I qualify and apply?
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).
What is the main difference between the programs?
Why are there more all day and five-day, preschool options?
What does “current families” mean?
What ages can enroll in the preschool program?
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.
Are there any benefits to a mixed-age class?
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
If my child attends Troy School District preschools, and we live outside the Troy School District attendance area, will my child have a better chance or preference to attend Troy Schools for kindergarten?
If my child attends a half-day preschool, will they have school on a half day?
If my child attends a full day program, will they have school on a half day?
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.
Is before and/or school child care available for preschool students?
Is there any summer programming for preschool children?
My family usually takes several weeks off for travel during the school year. Do I have to pay for the time my child is absent?
If the school is closed due to weather conditions or an emergency school closing, will my account be credited?
Will my child be prepared for kindergarten?
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.
What can I do to help support my child in school?
How will I pay my tuition?
Is it a requirement that students be fully toilet trained to attend 3, 4, & 5-year-old preschool classes?
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.
My child’s birthday is a few days after the December 1st cut off date for admittance. Can I sign an age-waiver?
I need to get my other child to Elementary School on time. Will there be staggered start time options?
Now that tuition preschool classes are at one location, how are classes created?
Can I request my child’s teacher?
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.
Do you offer transportation?
What preschool programs will remain at the Elementary?
Is hot lunch an option? What is the cost?
What if my class preference is full?
What are the tuition rates?
If you have additional questions, we are happy to help. Please call the preschool office directly at (248) 823-3000
Registration
Tuition Preschool
Full and part-time programs for children ages 3-5.
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8:00am - 11:00am, (M-F), AM
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8:00am - 3:00pm, (M-F)
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12:00pm - 3:00pm, (M-F), PM
Enrollment
Free Pre-K
State of Michigan funded program for children age 5 by December. 1st of the attending school year.
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8:15am - 3:15pm, (M-F)
Application Instructions
GSRP & Strong Beginnings
Free Preschool for 4 year olds. To be eligible, families must meet low to moderate income requirements.
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Free 3 year old Preschool.
Registration
First Friends
First Friends is a playgroup for families with children 18 months to 3 years old.
- Learning playgroup for toddlers and parents.
Registration
Explorers Before & After Child Care
Before and after school child care.
- 7:00am - 8:00am, (M-F), FULL
- 3:00pm - 6:00pm, (M-F), FULL
Registration
Summer Preschool
Full and part-time programs for children ages 3-5.
- 8:00am - 11:00am, (M-F)
- 8:00am - 3:00pm, (M-F)
- 8:00am - 3:00pm, (T, W, R)