Programs and Services
The Pierce Lake Early Childhood Center hosts and offers a variety of programs and services, including a GSRP Tuition-Free Preschool, Full and Partial Day Preschool, and School-Age Care Programs. For more information, click on the tabs below. If you have any additional questions, please contact us.
Registration open for current and past participants 2/17-2/21/25
Registration opens for new families on 2/28/25
- Full Day Preschool
- Partial-Day Preschool
- Great Start Readiness Program
- Early Childhood Special Education
- First Steps - Washtenaw
- Afterschool Care
- Summer Camp GABIKA
Full Day Preschool
This is a Pre-Kindergarten program with a mixed-age group of children 3-4 years old. The program and contracts run from August through August Monday to Friday. We have a graduation activity in May for our children going to Young 5’s or Kindergarten in the fall. The program includes a morning and afternoon snack, lunch and rest time.
Enrollment priority for 5-day M-F schedule registrations. Partial week registration requests may be considered if they coordinate to fill a 5-day slot if space is available.
*Children must be 3 years old to register and toilet trained.
2024-25 TUITION AMOUNTS
Monthly Tuition Rates for Full-day classes
Initial payment: $50 registration per child
M-F 5 Days per Week: $1331
M,W,F 3 Days per Week: $916
T,TH 2 Days per Week: $611
In addition, a $50 down payment will be assessed at the approval of the contract. This down payment will be applied to your first invoice. Any additional fees are included in the amounts listed above.
Parents receive monthly invoices via email (unless on auto-pay plan). Payment may be made by check, cash, or credit card using Visa/MasterCard. Limited scholarships are available.
To register for the program, please use the link below to access our online registration system, Eleyo, where you can create your account and begin registration:
2025-26 TUITION AMOUNTS
Monthly Tuition Rates for Full-day classes
Initial payment: $50 registration per child
M-F 5 Days per Week: $1411 (x12)
M,W,F 3 Days per Week: $953 (x12)
T,TH 2 Days per Week: $611 (x12)
Full Day Preschool Aftercare (for students enrolled in Full Day Preschool Program): 4:30-5:30 pm, $10/day
In addition, a $50 down payment will be assessed at the approval of the contract. This down payment will be applied to your first invoice. Any additional fees are included in the amounts listed above.
Parents receive monthly invoices via email (unless on auto-pay plan). Payment may be made by check, cash, or credit card using Visa/MasterCard. Limited scholarships are available.
To register for the program, please use the link below to access our online registration system, Eleyo, where you can create your account and begin registration:
Partial-Day Preschool
This is a Pre-Kindergarten program with a mixed age group of children that are 3 - 4 years old. We offer a Monday-Thursday morning class that runs 8 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. as well as a Tuesday/Thursday afternoon class that runs 12 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. This is a co-taught class with our Early Childhood Special Education staff. The partial day program runs September to mid May culminating in graduation for all of our children going to Young 5’s or kindergarten in the fall.
2024-25 TUITION AMOUNTS
Initial payment: $50 registration per child
4 Day program: yearly, $3,573 OR 9 payments $397
2 Day program: yearly $1,791 OR 9 payments $199
To register for the program, please use the link below to access our online registration system, Eleyo, where you can create your account and begin registration:
2025-26 TUITION AMOUNTS
Offered Programs:
Monday-Thursday AM: 8:00am-11:00am
Monday, Wednesday PM: 12:00pm-3:00pm
Tuesday, Thursday PM (Mixed Special and General Education): 12:00pm-3:00pm
Initial payment: $50 registration per child
4 Day program: yearly, $3,753 OR 9 payments $417
2 Day program: yearly $1,818 OR 9 payments $202
To register for the program, please use the link below to access our online registration system, Eleyo, where you can create your account and begin registration:
Great Start Readiness Program
The Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) can provide scholarships for four-year-old students who meet the requirements. Children who are eligible for the GSRP must be four by September 1 of the year they enroll. A minimum of two eligibility factors must be met to qualify for this program. The program meets four days per week from 8:00 a.m. - 2:45 p.m. and includes breakfast, lunch, snack and rest time. The program also offers parental support, resources, and home visits. Parents are encouraged and welcomed to participate in classroom activities.
GSRP Income Eligibility Guidelines (25-26)
Early Childhood Special Education
Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) services are provided for all children ages 3 to 5 with educational disabilities as outlined in the State of Michigan Law for Special Education. The district is required by law to provide a free and appropriate education in the least restrictive environment for eligible students on their third birthday.
The Early Childhood Special Education program identifies and educates students who may have significant gaps in development in one or more of the following areas: physical, cognitive, communication, social/emotional, or adaptive. If you are a parent/guardian of a child between the ages of 3 to 5 and suspect the child may have a developmental delay or handicapping condition that may affect him/her educationally, and the child resides in the Chelsea School District, please contact the Director of Special Education, Lisa Nickel at 734-433-2208 ext. 6083 or via email lnickel@chelseaschools.org. She will put you in touch with members of our support team who will reach out for additional information regarding your concerns.
Screenings are conducted throughout the school year. Once an appointment is scheduled, the parent/guardian will need to bring the child’s 1) birth certificate, 2) proof of residency, and 4) immunization record or waiver. During the screening process, the ECSE staff will interview parents and observe the child and use developmentally appropriate screening tools to assess the child. If the screening indicates it is necessary to further evaluate, a team of professionally certified staff will conduct a comprehensive, multidisciplinary evaluation. The staff will review the results of the evaluation with parents, and as a team, determine if the child meets eligibility for services. If eligibility is determined, an Individual Education Plan (IEP) will be developed to address the specific services the child will need.
If a child has been in the Early On Program, the district will be involved prior to the child’s third birthday. All evaluative/diagnostic procedures shall be followed in determining the student’s eligibility for ECSE services
First Steps - Washtenaw
First Steps Washtenaw is an early childhood parent education and family support program serving families throughout pregnancy until their child enters kindergarten, usually age 5. The program is designed to enhance child development and school achievement through parent education accessible to all families and includes the following components in an 8-week session:
- 60 minute playgroups led by Parent Educator
- Ongoing special events and parent group meetings
- Developmental screening focused on normal child development
- Community resource network
Recognizing that all families can benefit from support, First Steps families come in all configurations, from all socio-economic levels, and from rural, urban and suburban communities. The program is adaptable to fit community needs. It is a local program and family participation is voluntary. Washtenaw First Steps works with parents to provide them with parenting support and information on their developing child.
Program Goals
- Empower parents to give their children the best possible start in life.
- Provide children a solid foundation for school and life success.
- Increase parent knowledge of child development and appropriate ways to stimulate their children's intellectual, language, social, and physical development.
- Increase parent feelings of competence and confidence.
- Enhance parent-child interaction and strengthen family relationships.
- Prevent child abuse and neglect.
- Provide for early detection of developmental problems.
- Develop strong partnerships between parents and schools.
Core Values
- The early years of a child's life are critical for optimal development and provide the foundation for success in school and in life.
- Parents are their children's first and most influential teachers.
- Established and emerging research should be the foundation of parent education and family support curricula, training, materials and services.
- All young children and their families deserve the same opportunities to succeed, regardless of any demographic, geographic or economic considerations.
First Steps - Washtenaw collaborates with the Early-On program. If you have questions or concerns about your child's development please make an Early On referral (age 0-3) by completing an online form at Early On of Michigan or by calling 1-800-Early-On (1-800-327-5966).
Afterschool Care
Welcome to the Chelsea School District Afterschool Program. We provide a safe, fun, and enriching environment for Chelsea School District students attending Young Fives/Kindergarten through Fifth Grade after school and during non-school days.
Students are bussed from North Creek and South Meadows to the aftercare site at Pierce Lake Early Childhood Center. We provide an afternoon snack, free play time, games, crafts, and special monthly activities, and outdoor and gym time.
Dates: M-F August-June School Year
Eligible Ages: Must be enrolled in CSD Y5/Kindergarten-5th Grade.
Fees & Schedule 25/26
Aftercare: 3-5:30 pm $18.52 per day
½ Day (non-School Day): 11:15-5:00 pm $41.81 per day
Full Day (non-School Day): 8:00-5:00 pm $69.47 per day
Initial payment: $50 registration per child + $50 down payment = $100
Late pick-up fee: $1.00 per/minute per/child
*Minimum Requirement: 2 days per week consistent schedule for enrollment. Enrollment is dependent upon staffing and space capacity.
Any changes to schedule changes require at least 30 days' notice and schedule change fees will apply.
In order to complete your contract request, use the link below. For additional questions or information about the program, please reach out to the office at the contact below.
Should you have any additional questions or want more information about this program, please contact us directly.
Summer Camp GABIKA
Welcome to Chelsea's Community Education Summer Camp GABIKA. We create a fun, safe space for kids to express themselves, explore new ideas and challenges, and build lasting friendships and social skills while keeping their bodies and minds healthy and active. Our outstanding staff lead campers through our summer of fun, engaging activities and games. Campers participate in weekly activities including sports, games, art, crafts, local walking trips, outdoor and indoor activities, off site field trips and front yard field trips, visiting local parks and businesses, cooking and gardening with seniors, Chelsea District Library Book Mobile Visits, Martial Arts with Chelsea ATA, cooking with local guest chef’s, and more!
Dates: M-F June-August Summer
Eligible Ages: Must have completed Y5/Kindergarten through completing 5th Grade.
Estimated Times/Fee Structure 2025
Initial Payment: $50 registration per child
Camp Hours: 8:30-4:30 $293/week or $68.11/day
Before Care: 7:30-8:30 $7.00/day
Late pick-up fee: $1.00 per/minute per/child
Priority to Full Week Registrations
*Minimum Requirement: 2 days per week consistent schedule for enrollment, 2 weeks registration minimum. Enrollment is dependent upon staffing and space capacity.
Any schedule changes require at least 30 days' notice and schedule change fees will apply.
To register for the program, please use the link below to access our online registration system, Eleyo, where you can create your account and begin registration:
GABIKA: Grand Activities with Bold Imagination and Kinship in Adventure.
Should you have any additional questions or want more information about this program, please contact us directly.