Manistee Early Childhood Center
Mini Mariners
High-quality, 3 & 4 year-old preschool experience that combines the best of school readiness with the flexibility working families need. Designed for families who want more than just daycare. We offer an enriched early learning experience that nurtures the whole child and builds a strong foundation for lifelong success.
Learning through play, confidence is built, and little learners set sail toward a bright future!
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?
Students ages 3 & 4
WHEN?
See program options below
COST?
See pricing information below
Required 4 Month Commitment
Welcome to Our Mini Mariners Program
We’re excited to introduce you to the next chapter of early learning at Manistee Area Public Schools: Mini Mariners—a high-quality, full-day preschool experience that combines the best of school readiness with the flexibility working families need.
In the past, we’ve offered separate preschool and child care programs. Mini Mariners combines them into one consistent program where children can learn and grow all day long—with the same trusted adults, routines, and expectations.
Mini Mariners enrichment program is built to prepare your child for kindergarten—and beyond. Our staff use the Creative Curriculum, a research-based approach that builds strong foundations in early literacy, math, and problem-solving. Every activity is designed to support the skills your child will need for school success—whether that’s learning to write their name, recognizing patterns, or building independence and confidence.
Through a thoughtfully planned, play-based curriculum, children engage in hands-on learning that sparks curiosity, creativity, and confidence. Our days are filled with fun, meaningful activities that support early academic skills such as letter recognition, early math concepts, problem-solving, and language development -all in ways that feel exciting and natural to young learners.
Just as important, we place a strong emphasis on social-emotional growth and self-help skills. Children learn how to communicate their needs, work cooperatively with peers, manage emotions, follow routines, and build independence – the skills that truly prepare them for kindergarten and beyond.
In the Mini Mariners Program, children are encouraged to explore, ask questions, and grow at their own pace in a safe, supportive environment led by experienced early childhood professionals. Families can feel confident knowing their child is not only cared for, but actively learning, thriving, and getting ready for school – every single day.
We also use TS GOLD, a professional tool that helps teachers monitor each child’s learning and development. You’ll hear more from us about your child’s progress and how we can partner to support their growth in the classroom and at home.
Most importantly, the Mini Mariners program is designed to meet the needs of our whole community—with a high-quality early learning experience that’s both academically focused and accessible to all families.
We look forward to sharing more as we prepare for the year ahead. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions—we’re here to support your child and your family every step of the way
| Traditional Preschool Model | Mini Mariners |
| Outdoor time is like playground recess | Outdoor learning is a core principle, both in the school forest and with creative loose-parts play |
| Everyone gets the same activities and group lessons | Blended “learning centers” for both group and independent learning |
| Program with fixed schedule | Open 7:30-5:30 |
| Daily schedule for carpet, story, music, etc | Daily routines blend music and movement to prepare children for Kindergarten |
| A child goes to preschool; teacher conducts learning | School and parents are partners in Kindergarten readiness using Creative Curriculum to monitor children’s learning progress |
| Adult-led ABC’s and 123’s through play and imagination. | Teachers collaborate to create experience-base learning and prompt higher-order thinking to solve problems. |
| Mrs. Ludwig preschool lead in preschool room, Mrs. Julie Zajac leading daycare in another room, children shuttled back and forth | Mrs. Ludwig and Mrs. Zajac co-teaching, children stay in one room, consistent routines |
| Snacks from home for snack time | All meals and snacks provided. Children encouraged to help prepare and serve. |
| Parent teacher conference once per semester. Door conversations at pick up/drop off. | ProCare App for direct and timely communications. Parent conferences based on TS Gold assessment ,sharing progress on developmental growth. |
| Stand alone programs, teachers work in isolation. | Programming from birth- age 7. Teachers have collaborative time to learn and share professional practice. |
MAPS Early Childhood Center FAQs
Where will the MAPS Early Childhood Center be located for the 2026/27 school year?
Preparations are nearly complete at the former Madison Elementary building in Filer Township in preparation for the relocation of the Manistee Early Childhood Center programming from Jefferson Elementary. Our plan is to relocate at the end of the 25/26 school year.
Summer care programming will be held at the new facility beginning in June, and all MECC programming (Pre-K, Kindergarten, Begindergarten, and Day Care) will be located at the new facility for the start of the 26/27 school year.
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. Renovations have been 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.
Are before and after school daycare still an option?
Yes. Just as before, the before and after school programs will be available for the summer and the 2026/27 school year:
Morning Care for 5–12-year-olds: 7 am to start of school
After School Care for 5–12-year-olds: End of school day to 5:30. Notification of schedule required two weeks in advance.
Fee information available on the chart shown above on this page.
Enrollment & Contact
Ready to Learn More?
We would love to welcome your family into our learning community.
Email: earlychildhood@manistee.
Call: (231) 723-9285, ext. 3313
Location: Manistee Early Childhood Center, 515 Bryant Ave, Manistee, MI 49660