Manistee Early Childhood Center
Begindergarten
COMING SOON! We are beginning enrollment now for the Begindergarten program for the 26/27 school year.
MECC’s Begindergarten Program will be a full-day, play-based kindergarten readiness program. This program is an extension of our K-12 curriculum and is designed for children who would benefit from an additional year of development and provides a bridge between PreK and traditional kindergarten.
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?
To be eligible children must be turning 5 from June 1st – December 1st or demonstrate a need for the extra year of preparation before beginning Kindergarten
WHEN?
Monday – Friday
8:00 – 3:10
Transportation & Meals Provided
COST?
Tuition Free
(limited space with approval required, current MECC enrolled students will receive priority placement)
Welcome to Begindergarten
Our Manistee Early Childhood Center is excited to introduce a Begindergarten Program, a full-day, tuition-free public school option designed to support learners who may benefit from an extra year of growth before entering traditional kindergarten. To be eligible children must be turning 5 from June 1st – December 1st or demonstrate a need for the extra year of school.
Begindergarten is a “bridge year” between Pre-K and kindergarten that provides children with the gift of time to develop the social, emotional, physical, and academic skills needed to be truly ready for the expectations of kindergarten. This is not a remedial program; rather, it is the first year of a purposeful two-year kindergarten experience. Children who complete Begindergarten will move on to traditional kindergarten the following year, better prepared and more confident in themselves as learners.
Begindergarten is a full-day, five-days-a-week program that follows the same calendar as our K-12 classes. Located within the MECC, this program allows students to become comfortable with school routines, expectations, and environments at a pace that meets their developmental needs. Smaller class sizes and specialized instruction allow teachers to provide more individualized support and to meet children where they are developmentally. Students also benefit from exposure to specials such as art, music, and physical education, creating a well-rounded school experience.
Based in current early childhood science, our program strengthens abilities through:
- Short-Term Memory
- Flexible Thinking
- Impulse Control
- Creative Thinking
- Connection to Nature
These skills lay the foundation for academic success, social understanding, and personal growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ESI-3 Assessment?
The Early Screening Inventory, Third Edition (ESI-3) is an assessment tool that gives families a chance to share what their child can do at home. It focuses on areas like language, motor skills, and social development. Your answers help us get a fuller picture of your child’s strengths and needs, and support the best placement for their learning journey—whether that’s Kindergarten or Begindergarten. This is an assessment, not a test to pass or fail. There are no “right” or “wrong” answers—just your honest observations!
What are typical things that my child will be doing in Begindergarten?
Begindergarten offers a researched-based curriculum backed by developmental science. Our program strengthens self-regulation and thinking skills through:
- Working with clay = sensory learning
- Discovering in nature = emotional regulation
- Listening circle = language & empathy
- Building blocks = spatial reasoning
- Music & physical education = physical, social and emotional development
In which school building is Begindergarten held?
During the summer of 2026, the Manistee Early Childhood Center will relocate its programming from Jefferson Elementary to the former Madison Elementary building in Filer Township. Summer Care programming will be held at this new location and we will be excited to welcome students in our Pre-K through kindergarten classes to the new building in the fall to begin the 2026/27 school year.
We are excited to share the new space. 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.
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.
How is Begindergarten different from Kindergarten?
Traditional Kindergarten | Begindergarten |
Group learning and independent practice | Individual learning and group practice |
Math and reading are aligned with State Standards for 1st grade. | Curriculum is centered on experiential learning and problem-solving. Does not overlap Kindergarten standards, so it is its own unique grade level. |
| Report cards reflect the progress on State KG learning standards (preparing for 1st grade) | Intentionally slow the pace so children can deeply engage with ideas, materials, and each other. |
Although different from traditional kindergarten in some ways, Begindergarten students still have “specials” as part of their curriculum, ride the same buses, each lunch in the lunchroom, and can participate in field trips. Students are able to participate in all regular school activities and parents are invited to participate with ATP, just like all other K-12 families.
If my child attend Begindergarten, will they still go to Kindergarten?
Yes. The Begindergarten program is intended to prepare students with the skills needed for success in Kindergarten.
Does Begindergarten follow the same schedule as the K-12 school year?
Yes. Begindergarten follows the same start and finish dates for the school year as well as the start and finish times of the school day. Before and after care options are available for families in need of that option.
Is my Begindergarten student able to participate in before and after school care?
Yes. Before and after care options are available for families in need of that option.
Enrollment & Contact
Ready to Learn More?
We would love to welcome your family into our MECC community.
Email: earlychildhood@manistee.org
Call: (231) 723-9285
Location: Manistee Early Childhood Center, 515 Bryant Ave, Manistee, MI 49660