Manistee Early Childhood Center
Infant & Toddler Care Program
High-quality, licensed care programming for babies and toddlers, ages 0 – 3. Our licensing process is underway for this new offering. We are currently establishing a wait list for those families interested in this option. There will be fast-track priority given for Tri-Share participants.
This program made possible by a grant from the Manistee County Community Foundation.
View Manistee Early Childhood Center Staff
Manistee Early Childhood Center Staff
Andy Huber, Interim Principal, ahuber@manistee.org
Kindergarten Teachers
Crystal Harthun, charthun@manistee.org
Megan Lowe, mlowe@manistee.org
Cindy Lundberg, clundberg@manistee.org
Allison Veine, aveine@manistee.org
Jordan Riley, jriley@manistee.org
Student Services Teacher
Chastity Gouker, cgouker@manistee.org
Specials
Amanda Feyen, Music, afeyen@manistee.org
Cassie Miller, Physical Education, cmmiller@manistee.org
Kaitlyn Duke, Art, kduke@manistee.org
Laura Miller, Health/Wellness, lmiller@manistee.org
Parapros
Tiffany Bottrell, tbottrell@manistee.org
Kaitlyn Duke, kduke@manistee.org
Ashlee Gazda, agazda@manistee.org
Macie Miller, mgoodspeed@manistee.org
Rachel Lindeman, rlindeman@manistee.org
Behavioral Health Team
Stephanie Johnson, Behavioral Specialist, After School Care Assistant
Early Childhood Substitutes
Flynn Anderson, fanderson@manistee.org
Sadie Verheek, sverheek@manistee.org
Nicole Anisco, Manistee Early Childhood Program Director, nanisco@manistee.org
MAPS Great Start Readiness Program Staff - 231-398-3757
GSRP 1
Amy Brown, Lead Teacher, abrown@manistee.org
Brenda Struble, Associate Teacher, bstruble@manistee.org
Courtney Gibbs, Assistant Teacher, cgibbs@manistee.org
GSRP 2
Renee Turmel, Lead Teacher, rturmel@manistee.org
Nancy Zatarga, Associate Teacher, nzatarga@manistee.org
Ashley Johnson, Assistant Teacher, akjohnson@manistee.org
Mini Mariners (age 3-4) - 231.398.3758
Sandy Ludwig, Lead Teacher, sludwig@manistee.org
Julie Zajac, Lead Teacher, jzajac@manistee.org
Natalie Beldo, Assistant, nbeldo@manistee.org
Infant Toddler (birth to age 2.9)
Amber Hiipakka, Lead Teacher, ahiipakka@manistee.org
Associate Teacher: TBD
Morning Care Staff - 231.723.9285
Ashley Johnson, Morning Care Lead, akjohnson@manistee.org
Brenda Struble, Morning Care Lead, bstruble@manistee.org
Breanna Whitmer, Assistant, bwhitmer@manistee.org
Tiffany Bottrell, Assistant, tbottrell@manistee.org
After School Care Staff - 231.723.9285
Nicole Anciso, Lead Teacher, nanciso@manistee.org
Amber Hiipakka, Lead Teacher, ahiipakka@manistee.org
Ashlee Gazda, Assistant, agazda@manistee.org
Katie Henne, After School Care Assistant, khenne@manistee.org
Katilynn McDowell, Associate, kmcdowell@manistee.org
Jordan Riley, Associate, jriley@manistee.org
Donna Williams, Assistant, dwilliams@manistee.org
Summer Care - 231.723.9285
Nicole Anciso, Lead Teacher, nanciso@manistee.org
Amber Hiipakka, Lead Teacher, ahiipakka@manistee.org
Flynn Anderson, Care Associate, fanderson@manistee.org
Ashlee Gazda, Assistant, agazda@manistee.org
Katilynn McDowell, Associate, kmcdowell@manistee.org
Jordan Riley, Associate, jriley@manistee.org
Sadie Verheek, sverheek@manistee.org
School Custodial Team
Johnny Skocelas, Custodian, jskocelas@manistee.org
Nutrition Services
Bonnie Kruse, bkruse@manistee.org
Rich Koon, rkoon@manistee.org
WHO?
Children ages 0-3
WHEN?
Monday – Friday
7:30 – 5:30
COST?
Sliding scale, eligibility based $825 $1,100/month
Required 4 month commitment
Welcome to Infant & Toddler Care
The Manistee Early Childcare Center is excited to introduce our Infant & Toddler Childcare to our offerings. This new program is currently working through the licensing process and will be available at the new Manistee Early Childhood Center in the former Madison Elementary building once that work is complete.
This program will provide high-quality, licensed care for infants and toddlers in a safe, supportive, and engaging environment. At the heart of our mission is a deep commitment to early childhood development, where every child is treated as an individual and supported with age-appropriate learning, nurturing care, and meaningful connections.
Our qualified staff will provide a warm, enriching atmosphere where your child can grow, explore, and thrive during these critical developmental years. With thoughtfully scaled space, a strong focus on safety and wellness, and a play-based curriculum tailored to each developmental stage, we will help lay a strong foundation for your child’s educational future.
Frequently Asked Questions
How soon will the 0-3 program be offered?
The building is currently being renovated and classroom space designated for the new 0-3 childcare program. In addition to preparing space, we are hiring staff, acquiring furnishings, and doing the work necessary to obtain licensing with the State of Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. All of this work takes time, but we are hoping to be able to have this program operational shortly.
If you may be interested in this program now or in the near future, please reach out to us today. A member of our staff will collect your information, share details about the program, and answer any questions you may have.
Please note that anyone participating in the MI Tri-Share program will be receiving priority placement on our waiting list. Click this LINK for more information about MI Tri-Share.
In which school building is the 0-3 program offered?
The 0-3 program will be offered at the former Madison Elementary building in Filer Township, which has been renovated to accommodate the needs of our youngest learns from our 0-3 care program through Kindergarten. We are currently working on meeting state licensing requirements for this new facility. Additional details will be shared as they become available.
As always, we extend gratitude to our staff for their dedication to our early childhood programs and their support and flexibility as we transition to this new space and grow the services we offer to our community.
We are excited to share the new space with you once it is complete. Renovations are being made to classrooms, playgrounds, and other amenities to provide space scaled for our youngest learners. We feel this configuration will welcome our newest Mariners and their families to the MAPS district, serving as an easily accessible and very friendly start to their learning experience.
Enrollment & Contact
Ready to Learn More?
We would love to welcome your family into our learning & care community.
Email: earlychildhood@manistee.
Call: (231) 723-9285, ext. 3313
Location: Manistee Early Childhood Center, 515 Bryant Ave, Manistee, MI