Manistee Early Childhood Center
Pre-K for All
MAPS is aligning our existing preschool/GSRP program with the state’s PreK for All to provide access to programming that supports the whole child through developmentally appropriate, research-based experiences. This doesn’t mean a lack of structure or academic growth—it means we’re using methods that truly match how young children learn best, while being able to offer this important programming for all 4-year-old students through the structure of state funding.
View Manistee Early Childhood Center Staff
Manistee Early Childhood Center Staff
Andy Huber, Interim Principal, ahuber@manistee.org
Amy Miller, Secretary, amiller@manistee.org
Kindergarten Teachers
Crystal Harthun, charthun@manistee.org
Megan Lowe, mlowe@manistee.org
Cindy Lundberg, clundberg@manistee.org
Allison Veine, aveine@manistee.org
Student Services Teacher
Chastity Gouker, cgouker@manistee.org
Specials
Amanda Feyen, Music, afeyen@manistee.org
Art: TBD
Cassie Miller, Physical Education, cmmiller@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
TBD:
Nicole Anisco, Child Care 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 Chandler, Assistant Teacher, cgibbs@manistee.org
GSRP 2
Renee Turmel, Lead Teacher, rturmel@manistee.org
Nancy Zatarga, Associate Teacher, nzatarga@manistee.org
Ashley Johnson, Associate Teacher, akjohnson@manistee.org
GSRP 3
Lead Teacher: Posted
Rising Mariners (age 4) - 231.398.3754
Sandy Ludwig, Lead Teacher, sludwig@manistee.org
Julie Zajac, Lead Teacher, jzajac@manistee.org
Shyan Mauntler, Assistant, smauntler@manistee.org
MiniMariners (age 3) - 231.398.3754
Sandy Ludwig, Lead Teacher, sludwig@manistee.org
Julie Zajac, Lead Teacher, jzajac@manistee.org
Shyan Mauntler, Assistant, smauntler@manistee.org
Infant Toddler (birth to age 2.9)
Amber Hiipakka, Lead Teacher, ahiipakka@manistee.org
Associate Teacher: TBD
Morning Care Staff - 231.398.3758
Renee Turmel, Lead Teacher, rturmel@manistee.org
Brenda Struble, Associate Teacher, bstruble@manistee.org
Ashley, Johnson, Associate Teacher, akjohnson@manistee.org
After School Care Staff - 231.398.3758
Nicole Anciso, Lead Teacher, nanciso@manistee.org
Natalie Beldo, Lead Teacher, nbeldo@manistee.org
School Custodial Team
Don Froncek, Head Custodian, dfroncek@manistee.org
Johnny Skocelas, Custodian, jskocelas@manistee.org
Nutrition Services
Bonnie Kruse, bkruse@manistee.org
Rich Koon, rkoon@manistee.org
WHO?
Students age 4 by Sept. 1
Also, 3.9 year olds,
if space available
WHEN?
Monday – Thursday
8:00 – 3:10
(Meals and transportation provided)
COST?
No fee
Open to all, limited spaces with approval required
Welcome to Pre-K for All
It is Michigan’s goal to deliver access to high-quality PreK for All for all 4-year-olds in the state based upon how children learn best. The PreK for All Roadmap was developed with input from families, providers, and partners across the state to chart the path forward to achieve this goal.
Additionally, the program intends to create consistency in credentialing for care programs and workforce with the goal to compensate PreK teachers the same as kindergarten teachers.
GSRP is the primary state-funded program that fulfills the PreK for All program. The difference is the parameters for eligibility are now expanded to include all 4-year-olds that become 4-years- old before September 1 of the upcoming school year.
PreK for All is a play-based learning program. While “play-based” might sound less serious or less academic, the opposite is true. Current brain research shows that purposeful, guided play is one of the most effective ways for young children to build foundational skills in reading, math, and social development.
Our educators design structured, intentional learning experiences through play, with clear goals and outcomes. This includes:
- Hands-on learning centers
- Nature-based learning and movement to support focus and regulation
- Role-play and storytelling to build language and social skills
- Teacher-guided exploration that connects curiosity to real-world knowledge
MAPS is aligning our existing preschool with the state’s PreK for All to provide access to programming that supports the whole child through developmentally appropriate, research-based experiences. This doesn’t mean a lack of structure or academic growth—it means we’re using methods that truly match how young children learn best, while being able to offer this important programming for all 4-year-old students through the structure of state funding.
MAPS Early Childhood Center FAQs
What is Michigan’s PreK for All program?
It is Michigan’s goal to deliver access to high-quality PreK for All for all 4-year-olds in the state based upon how children learn best. The PreK for All Roadmap was developed with input from families, providers, and partners across the state to chart the path forward to achieve this goal.
Additionally, the program intends to create consistency in credentialing for care programs and workforce with the goal to compensate PreK teachers the same as kindergarten teachers,
Is Pre-K for All the same as the Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP)?
Yes. GSRP is the primary state-funded program that fulfills the PreK for All program. The difference is the parameters for eligibility are now expanded to include all 4-year-olds that become 4-years- old before September 1st of the upcoming school year.
What are the benefits of the PreK for All program?
PreK for All is a play-based learning program. While “play-based” might sound less serious or less academic, the opposite is true. Current brain research shows that purposeful, guided play is one of the most effective ways for young children to build foundational skills in reading, math, and social development.
Our educators design structured, intentional learning experiences through play, with clear goals and outcomes. This includes:
- Hands-on learning centers
- Nature-based learning and movement to support focus and regulation
- Role-play and storytelling to build language and social skills
- Teacher-guided exploration that connects curiosity to real-world knowledge
Are before and after school daycare still an option?
Yes. Just as before, the before and after school programs will be available for the 2025/26 school year based upon the following fee structure:
Morning Care for 5–12-year-olds: 7 am to start of school – $6 per day for Mondays, $3 per day Tues. – Fri.
After School Care for 5–12-year-olds: End of school day to 5:30 – $8 per afternoon, $20 per half-day of school. Notification of schedule required two weeks in advance.
What are the age requirements for students enrolling in the GSRP program?
Children must be 4 before September 1st of the upcoming school year.
Why did MAPS decide to participate in this innovative state program?
We want to acknowledge a reality we see in our community: many families in Manistee grew up understanding “preschool” as a traditional, academic-style preschool, and may prefer structured, school-like environments over play-based models like the Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP). We understand that preference—and we also want to be transparent about what research tells us young children truly need in order to thrive.
MAPS is aligning our existing preschool with the state’s PreK for All to provide access to programming that supports the whole child through developmentally appropriate, research-based experiences. This doesn’t mean a lack of structure or academic growth—it means we’re using methods that truly match how young children learn best, while being able to offer this important programming for all 4-year-old students through the structure of state funding.
Where will the MAPS Early Childhood Center be located for the 2025/26 school year?
At the conclusion of the school year, work immediately began at the former Madison Elementary building in Filer Township in preparation for the relocation of the Manistee Early Childhood Center programming from Jefferson Elementary. As the summer has progressed, this work has met some challenges.
Although we would like to be reporting otherwise, we will continue the Manistee Early Childhood Center programming at Jefferson Elementary for the beginning of the 2025/26 school year. Because work at the new location is not yet complete, we believe meeting state licensing requirements for this new facility prior to the beginning of the school year will not be attainable. The Jefferson Elementary facility is currently compliant with licensing requirements; therefore, we can continue offering early childhood services at that building while final preparations are made at our new space.
The delay of this move will keep all preschool and kindergarten students at the Jefferson Elementary building, as well as before and after care services until we are able to finalize the new space and arrange for the move of our classrooms. We are working closely with the construction superintendent to bring this project to completion and to confirm a date for the move. 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.
What will the cost be to families with children eligible to participate in the PreK for All program?
This program is free for all eligible families that enroll by June 30.
