There are a variety of preschool and childcare establishments available in the Grinnell area. The following descriptions are available to provide basic information about the programs and who to contact with questions. The programs are divided into Preschool Only, Preschool/Childcare, In-Home Daycare and After School, Summer/After School, and Recreation.

Grinnell Community Daycare and Preschool

Contact Person(s): Terry Burkhead, Administrative Assistant and/or Karen Hunt,

Director, grinnelldaycare@iowatelecom.net , 641.236.7214

Description of Center: Grinnell Community Daycare and Preschool is a full-service childcare center providing basic childcare as well as a rich preschool experience. The Center is a non-profit, community-based organization that has been in existence since 1969 and is licensed by the State of Iowa. A variety of attendance schedules may be arranged (full to part-time). Grinnell Community Daycare and Preschool's programs are designed to foster each child's physical, emotional, social and intellectual growth. Grinnell Community Daycare and Preschool serves children ages 6 weeks through 5 years in the regular program, and school-age children through the fourth grade before school, as well as on snow days and school vacations. A summer program for school-age children is offered in cooperation with Grinnell College. Center hours are 6:30 am-5:30 pm Monday through Friday, including summers. Tuition is set on a sliding fee scale. For more information call the Center or stop by for a visit (intersection of 10t h Avenue and Penrose).

Learning Garden Preschool

Contact Person: Misty Moline, Teacher/Director, mrsmoline@iowatelecom.net ,

641.260.0169

Description of Center: The Learning Garden Preschool offers a 5-day/week preschool program serving children ages 2-5 in a family style atmosphere from 8:00-11:30 am September through May. An extended day program is also available until 1:00 pm. The majority of classroom time is spent helping children explore their world through traditional preschool curriculum which is supplemented by classroom guests who are experts in science, art, and music and movement. Developmentally appropriate activities and materials are the basis for a curriculum that allows for the various learning styles and individual needs of the children.

Head Start

Contact Person: Cindy Stockner, cindy@micaonline.org , 641.752.7162, ext. 112

Description of Center: Mid-Iowa Community Action (MICA) coordinates this need-based, free preschool and childcare program for children ages 3-5. There is a full-day and a half-day program in Grinnell. The full-day program runs year-round from 7:00 am-5:00 pm and is located at the Ahrens Center, 10th Avenue and Penrose. The half-day program is located at the First Baptist Church running from 9:00 am-12:30 pm September through May.

UCC Community Preschool

Contact Person: Sarah Bailey, Director, grinucc@iowatelecom.net , 641.236.3111

Description of Program: The UCC Community Preschool, sponsored by the United Church of Christ-Congregational, has two key goals-to teach children to get along with others and to enhance each child's self-esteem. Preschool activities also encourage a child's awareness of self and the community through varied experiences with classroom materials, stories, dramatic play, music, art and field trips. Students participate in outdoor play for large and small motor skill development. The school is non-denominational and open to all. Three and young four-year olds attend on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 9:00-11:30 am. Four and five-year olds meet on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:00-11:30 am. Children may also attend the preschool daily.

Grinnell Christian Church Preschool (administered by the Central Iowa Christian School)

Contact Person: Heidi VanWyk,Teacher, hkrikke@hotmail.com, 641.236.5667

Description of Program: The Grinnell Christian Church Preschool, administered by the Central Iowa Christian School, is a preschool program offering a faith-based curriculum structured to promote basic pre-kindergarten skills and behavioral expectations. The Grinnell Christian Church Preschool also strives to instill a positive self-image and acceptance of others. The program is open to children ages 3-5 and operates a Tuesday/Thursday program for 3-year olds and a Monday, Wednesday, Friday program for 4 and 5-year olds from 9:00-11:30 am.

Grinnell College Preschool

Contact Person: Karen Veerhusen-Langerud, Director, veerhuse@grinnell.edu ,

641.269.3320

Description of Program: The Grinnell College Preschool is a research laboratory for The Psychology Department of Grinnell College. The preschool provides a learning environment that supports children to develop the strengths and skills necessary for them to construct their own knowledge and prepare them for their next school environment. The Grinnell College Preschool offers three sessions: Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 9:00-11:30 am, Tuesday/Thursday from 9:00-11:30 am and 1:00-3:30 pm.

Grinnell-Newburg Preschool

Contact Persons: Andrea Zhorne (azhorne@grinnell.k12.ia.us) or Jan Phifer

(jphifer@grinnell.k12.ia.us), Lead Teachers, 641.236.2796

Description of Program: The school district's preschool program serves children 3-5-years old who have some identified area of developmental delay. Children without delays also participate, acting as "peer models" in this integrated preschool model designed to meet state guidelines mandating a free and appropriate education for all children from birth to age 21. The program offers morning sessions from on Tuesday and Friday from 8:00-11:00 am and an afternoon session daily from 12:00-3:00 pm.

Childcare Resource and Referral

Contact Person: Angie Dreesman, ccconsultant@hotmail.com , 641-236-3920 or

641-990-4909

Description of Program: Grinnell includes many in-home childcare providers who often take part in Childcare Resource and Referral (CCR&R) programs and training. CCR&R offers personalized referrals to child care options located in the Grinnell area. A professional parent referral counselor will work with you to determine your specific child care needs and process a referral list that contains the names, addresses, and phone numbers of those programs that best match your specified criteria. Referrals are processed using a database containing child care options including Non-Registered and Registered Family Child Care, Licensed Child Care Centers and Preschools, and School-Age Recreational Programs. CCR&R is not a regulatory agency and does not recommend any programs.

Davis Elementary After School Enrichment Program

Contact Person: Doug Cameron, Principal, 641.236.2790

Description of Program: Davis Elementary School offers an after-school program that is in session during the academic year for students in kindergarten through 4th grade . The program operates school days 3:15-5:50 pm and provides a variety of activities of concentrating on children's interests. Activities include homework time, individual and group reading, guest speakers, cooperative learning, arts and crafts, special field trips, as well as fun and games.

Grinnell Area Summer Camp

Contact Person: Rachel Bly, 641.269.3179 or Karen Hunt 641.236.7214

Description of Program: The camp is a collaborative effort between Grinnell Community Day Care and Preschool and Grinnell College. The goal of the combined Grinnell Area Summer Camp is to deliver a small-scale, quality summer program for school aged children (that have finished Kindergarten-4th grade) that features engaging and enriching activities during the business day. We create a fun atmosphere that is filled with opportunities for social, cultural and intellectual exploration that are not "academic" or "school-like". The program typically involves daily swimming and outdoor activities (cookouts, picnics, etc.) in addition to weekly themed activities such as cooking projects, science/ecology, arts & crafts, field trips, movies, etc. Children attending the camp are able to fully utilize the range of facilities and resources available between the Ahrens Family Center and Grinnell College as well as opportunities in the community at large. At the Ahrens Family Center, this includes classroom space, play grounds for school age children, adjacent outdoor basketball and tennis courts, track, soccer fields and volleyball courts. At Grinnell College, this includes the Harris Cinema, the Harris and Forum game rooms, Ice Cream Fridays and the PEC Pool.

Galaxy Youth Center

Contact Person: Shannon McNaul, Director, 641-236-7235

Description of Program: The Galaxy Inc., located in the heart of downtown Grinnell, is a non-profit community youth resource center. With an emphasis on "at risk" and "disadvantaged youth" participation, we provide all students in grades 5 through 12 with a safe, innovative space, where they have the opportunity to engage in a variety of educational and recreational activities, build positive relationships, and take on community initiatives. Whether kids participate in after-school programming, attend weekend events, or serve on the Youth Council, all gain positive support from the adult-guided environment and from each other in a space designed to meet their needs. Most importantly, the Galaxy continues to be a place where parents and guardians feel confident sending their children. The Galaxy represents a safe and positive substance free alternative; it represents choice.

Summer Kids' Camp Program at Davis School

Contact Person: Doug Cameron, Principal, 641.236.2790

Description of Program: The summer kids camp will be held from June to August each summer for children who were in kindergarten the previous school year to 5th grade. The camp offers a safe and stimulating place for children to spend the summer. Camp hours run from 7:00 am to 5:30 pm. The Summer Kids' Camp program includes reading, crafts and organized filed trips. Tutoring for children who attend the camp is also available. Water games, bike and roller blade activities, swimming at the Grinnell Municipal Pool, trips to Stewart Library and other activities are also planned.

City of Grinnell Recreation Programs

Contact Person: Jeff Sears, Recreation Director, 641.236.2620

Description of Programs: The City of Grinnell offers a variety of youth recreation programs throughout the year including: soccer, gymnastics, t-ball, tennis, golf, basketball, swimming lessons, and softball.

Off Broadway Dance Studio

Contact: 641.236.5775

Description of Program: Off Broadway Dance Studio provides lessons in tap and ballet dance for children/adults ages 3 and older.

Michelle's Dance Academy

Contact: 641.236.9337

Description of Program: Michelle's Dance Academy provides dance apparel as well as lessons in tap and ballet for children/adults ages 3 and older.

Prairie Fire Gymnastics and Athletic Center

Contact Person: Marci VanWyk-Moore, 641.236.1438

Description of Program: The Center offers cheerleading, parent/child gym, preschool gym, general gymnastics, women's recreational gymnastics, women's competitive gymnastics, men's recreational gymnastics, men's competitive gymnastics, martial arts, tumbling, and birthday parties.

Prepared by Nicole Brua-Behrens, Communities for Literate Iowa Kids, nicoleclik@iowatelecom.net July 2007