Add Lakeland Creative Beginnings to Your Preschool Must-Visit List
Preschool can feel like a giant step for a little person.
Seemingly overnight, your once drooly baby became a mobile toddler with big feelings, boundless imagination and a language explosion.
As your child conquers more “big kid” milestones, you contemplate the next phase: preschool.
Where can you find the right balance of academics, social interaction and fun?
Enter: Lakeland Creative Beginnings. At LCB, each child receives quality care and a developmentally appropriate education.
They believe that all children succeed through active, hands-on learning to promote physical, cognitive, and social-emotional development.
Read on to learn more about LCB’s curriculum, GSRP/KC Ready 4s participation, staff, and an upcoming open house:
In this article
Using the HighScope Curriculum in the Classroom
LCB uses the HighScope Curriculum, a hands-on, active-learning approach that builds early math, reading and social skills in a safe, nurturing environment.
The team puts HighScope into action through a variety of activities, including story times.
Curriculum Director Kristy LaLonde recently brought The Mitten to life through interactive storytelling.
These experiences not only spark imagination but also help preschoolers connect language, literacy, and play in meaningful ways:
At LCB, we believe that the process of learning is more important than the product.
– Carolynne Boughton, LCB Program Director
LCB’s Preschool Programs
Lakeland Creative Beginnings offers two preschool options:
Age 4 Preschool (GSRP)
This classroom offers free, state-funded preschool through GSRP for eligible four-year-olds.
- Full-time Monday through Thursday, half days on Friday
- Follows the Vicksburg Public Schools calendar
Mixed Age Preschool (KC Ready 4s)
This classroom includes children ages 33 months to 5 years old.
- Full-time and part-time available
- Lakeland Creative Beginnings is a Comprehensive Partner (the highest partnership level) with KC Ready 4s.
- KC Ready 4s offers tuition assistance for LCB’s mixed-age classroom
LCB’s Quality Ranking
Lakeland Creative Beginnings is recognized as Demonstrating Quality, its highest level of programming, by Great Start to Quality!
- On-site evaluations of LCB’s classrooms found that their students experience high-quality learning environments every day, across all ages and programming.
- This ranking reflects strong relationships with children and families, thoughtful curriculum and instruction, and ongoing quality improvement.
Meet the Team
Lakeland Creative Beginnings’ team of educators brings decades of experience and dedication to early childhood education.
With many at LCB having worked for over 10 years, it’s clear this school is a special place for both students and staff.
| Nicole Martinez (Lead PreK Teacher) • 10+ years with LCB • Loves: messy, engaging play and meeting children where they are to help them learn |
| Marrisa Blough (Assistant PreK Teacher) • 20+ years with LCB • Loves: teaching science through engaging experiments and activities |
| Sarah Peters (Lead GSRP Teacher) • 20+ years of experience in early childhood education • 10+ years with LCB • Loves: small group work |
| Brooklyn Meinema (School Age Coordinator) • 4 years with LCB • Loves: planning individualized activities, spirit weeks and talent shows |
| Kristy LaLonde (Curriculum Director) • 30+ years of experience in early childhood education • Loves: sharing her love of childhood education with the staff and seeing the team grow |
| Carolynne Boughton (Program Director) • 10+ years of experience in early childhood education • Loves: balancing the needs of the program and her staff to ensure high-quality care |
Hours & Location
Schedule
Lakeland Creative Beginnings is open from 6:30 AM to 5:30 PM, Monday – Friday
Address
10442 S Sprinkle Rd, Vicksburg, MI 49097
Find LCB on South Sprinkle Road in Vickburg, along the southern border of Portage.
All SWMI families are invited to attend Lakeland; in particular, this location is convenient for preschoolers in Schoolcraft, Portage and Vicksburg.
Parent Testimonial
We enrolled our twins this past September in the KC Ready preschool program, and we have been more than happy with this center…They provide great communication on what my girls are doing throughout the day. The environment has been very good for them.
They come home talking about their teachers, friends and singing songs that they have learned, which warms my heart. I know they are safe and well-loved. Thank you to all at Creative Beginnings!
– Blessings, Danielle D.
LCB Programming Summary
- KC Ready 4s Preschool: Mixed-Age Classroom for ages 33 months to 5 years. Tuition assistance is available.
- GSRP Preschool: Free, state-funded preschool for eligible 4-year-olds
- School-Age Care: Before and after-school care is also available.
- Facility Hours: 6:30 AM to 5:30 PM
Visit Lakeland Creative Beginnings
Want to learn more? Call (269) 615-2930 to schedule a tour or visit during their open house in February.
Open House Schedule: Wednesday, February 18th, from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM.
Lakeland Creative Beginnings
featured partner
10442 S Sprinkle Road
Vicksburg, MI 49097
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