Preschool Programs
Children who are 3-years-old by September 1 can enroll into our Preschool 3's program.
We provide developmentally appropriate practices to nurture children’s growth spiritually, socially, emotionally, physically, and cognitively. All of this within a safe learning environment with hands on activities to enhance learning and encourage independence.
Our Preschool 3's program focuses on socialization. We help them become aware of other's feelings, develop friendships, take turns, wait patiently, and follow instructions. We help them to feel safe in their environment.
It is truly a blessing to be a part of your child's first school experience, and it is our desire to help create a positive one. We use Abeka curriculum in which the alphabet and numbers are introduced along with shapes and colors in addition to social and emotional skills. Children learn best through play, so our day incorporates independent choice time, outside time and lots of singing and dancing! Our full day program allows for an afternoon of resting after a full morning of learning.
Preschool 3's Program Schedule
We have several options for families looking to enroll their 3-year-olds into preschool.
Half-day
School begins at 8:00am and ends at 11:00am for half-day students. Families can choose from:
- 2-days - Tuesday and Thursday
- 3-days - Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
- 5-days - Monday through Friday
Full-day
School begins at 8:00am and ends at 2:40pm for full-day students. Families can choose from:
- 2-days - Tuesday and Thursday
- 3-days - Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
- 5-days - Monday through Friday
Children who are 4 by December 1 can enroll into our Preschool 4's program.
We provide developmentally appropriate practices to nurture children’s growth spiritually, socially, emotionally, physically and cognitively. All of this within a safe learning environment with hands on activities to enhance learning and encourage independence.
Our Preschool 4's program is designed to help students prepare for Kindergarten. We use Abeka curriculum in which letters and letter sounds are introduced as well as numbers, shapes and colors. Children learn best through play, so our day incorporates independent choice time, outside time and lots of singing and dancing! Our full day Preschool 4's program offers a partial afternoon of resting with additional academic practice in the afternoons.
Preschool 4's Program Schedule
We have several options for families looking to enroll their 4-year-olds into preschool.
Half-day
School begins at 8:00am and ends at 11:00am for half-day students. Families can choose from:
- 3-days - Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
- 5-days - Monday through Friday
Full-day
School begins at 8:00am and ends at 2:40pm for full-day students. Families can choose from:
- 3-days - Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
- 5-days - Monday through Friday
Children who are 4 by September 1 can enroll into our Begindergarten program. Our Begindergarten program is a prekindergarten program designed to prepare students for Kindergarten.
We provide developmentally appropriate practices to nurture children’s growth spiritually, socially, emotionally, physically and cognitively. All of this within a safe learning environment with hands on activities to enhance learning and encourage independence. This program uses Abeka curriculum which focuses on letters, letter sounds, vowels, and word blends, along with numbers.
Children learn best through play, so our day incorporates independent choice time, outside time and lots of singing and dancing! Our Begindergarteners participate in specials such as gym, Spanish and computer class, introducing them to other teachers at Calhoun Christian School, all under the supervision of our preschool staff. The Begindergarten program offers a brief afternoon rest time which allows for those specials.
Begindergarten Program Schedule
We have 2 options for families looking to enroll their 4-year-olds into our Preschool Begindergarten program.
School begins at 8:00am and ends at 2:40pm for full-day students. Families can choose from:
- 3-days - Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
- 5-days - Monday through Friday
Admission Requirements
Some of our programs have requirements that must be met in order to enroll.
Preschool
To attend our preschool, children must meet these requirements:
1 | Be at least:
- 3 years old for our Preschool 3 program
- 4 years old by December 1 for our Preschool 4 program
- 4 years old by September 1 for our Begindergarten program
2 | Be potty-trained by their first day of preschool
3 | Have a health appraisal completed
4 | Have immunization records or a waiver on file
Roundup for Preschool (or Kindergarten) for 2025-2026
We are rounding up for Kindergarten and Preschool by hosting an evening for you to learn more on Thursday, March 20 at 6:00pm.
Come join us and explore what it would be like to be a Calhoun Christian School Preschool or Kindergarten student. You will hear about Calhoun Christian School, see the classrooms, learn about our academic excellence, and meet the teachers, preschool director, and school administrator.
Requirements to enter Kindergarten in 2025-2026
- 5 years old by September 1, 2025
- Vaccine records / a waiver on file
- Results from a dental, vision and hearing screening (vision and hearing may have been completed in preschool)
Requirements to enter Preschool in 2025-2026
- 3 years old by their first day of preschool
- Potty-trained
- A health appraisal completed by the child's doctor before their first day
- Vaccine records / a waiver on file
Preschool Staff
Julie Dunakin
Preschool Teacher
I love teaching preschool because I enjoy helping students and families have great first school experiences. I love being able to help lay strong foundations for our littlest student’s future educational experiences. I love watching them make friends and develop socially while they have fun participating in learning experiences. It is my goal to help my preschoolers come to love school and learning. I love teaching at CCS because I am free to openly share the love of Jesus with the families and students that I work with. I love highlighting God’s goodness to us through songs, lessons, and everyday interactions in my classroom. It is such a blessing to be able to teach in a school that desires to honor and glorify the Lord.
Associate Degree from Kellogg Community College
Melissa Pidcock
Preschool Director
My passion for teaching arises out of a love for learning. It is my desire to instill that love for learning in each of my students. I am so blessed and honored as a preschool teacher to be part of a child's first educational experience in a school setting. Teaching in a Christian school also allows me to share my love for the Lord! My goal is to help "Train up a child in the way he should go so that when he is old, he will not depart from it." (Proverbs 22:6). Training and caring for God's children is such an awesome responsibility. It is my prayer that each of the lives I am able to touch goes on to fulfill the plans that God has for them. I pray that each of them reach their fullest potential in the Lord.
BS from Central Michigan University
Darci VanValkenburg
Preschool Teacher
When I started to work in early childhood 27 years ago, I never knew that it would become my lifetime career, but as time went on, I learned that it's what God had planned for me. I love the children as my own and feel like such a special part of each family that I touch and that has touched my life. It is a wonderful feeling walking into work and hearing, "Hi Mrs. V! Look at my shoes!" or, “Mrs. V, I love you!”. I feel like I can make a difference in children's lives every day and that makes me feel so special and blessed to be part of it. I believe young children learn with love, patience, discipline, and exploring. Having all these key features, I believe that the children I teach will have so many benefits in starting their school career. Early childhood programs are so important in teaching young children important things that are so essential in elementary school. Socializing, listening, patience, sharing, and the list goes on. I walk into work every day taking my role as a preschool teacher very seriously. I have accomplished 2 CDAs (Child Associate Credential), one in Infant/Toddler and my second one in Preschool, and each of these credentials require a total of 180 hours of training in that specific age group. The most important part of my job is to come to work every day with a smile on my face, ready to teach. It is also so important for me to have good open communication with each family and a good solid relationship with parents and children. I am so thankful that I have been able to work with young children; it has made me a better mother and person. I have loved being a part of these children's lives and look forward to seeing them grow every day. I am so thankful that I joined the CCS family and that I can also teach about the love of Jesus. I am unapologetically Christian and my relationship with God is vital in every aspect of my life. My favorite scripture verse is Psalm 138:8 - The Lord will perfect that which concerns me.