Kindergarten and Kinder Academy

Fowlerville’s Kinder Academy is a vibrant learning community that nurtures young learners on their first educational journey. Understanding the importance of early childhood education, our dedicated educators are committed to supporting each child through a curriculum thoughtfully designed to foster key school and life skills. Here’s a glimpse into the enriching experiences your child will encounter in our nurturing environment:

Taking Turns & Participating Actively: Kinder Academy is a hub of activities where children learn the value of taking turns and are encouraged to actively participate, ensuring a respectful and engaging learning experience for all.

Cooperative Work & Forming Friendships: Through collaborative projects and group activities, students learn to work cooperatively, laying the foundation for strong social skills and meaningful friendships.

Developing Self-Regulation Skills: Recognizing emotions and managing them effectively is crucial. Our program focuses on helping children develop self-regulation skills, such as handling frustration positively and expressing wants and needs calmly, empowering children to navigate their emotions and interactions gracefully.

Listening & Following Directions: Essential for academic success, our students practice listening attentively and following directions, skills that are reinforced daily through fun and educational activities.

Building Self-Care Skills: Independence is fostered through practical life skills. We guide our students in mastering self-care tasks like zipping their own coats and opening snacks, promoting a sense of autonomy and confidence.

• How old does my child need to be to go to Kinder Academy?
  • Children attending Kinder Academy must be 5 before December 1st of that school year. In the state of Michigan, children can enter Kindergarten programs if they are 5 or older on September 1st. Parents can sign a waiver for students to attend if they are born between September 1st and December 1st. 
• When will I find out whether my child is recommended for Kinder Academy?
  • FCS plans to work with families to make the decision for Kinder Academy enrollment by June 30th.
• What are the reasons my child would go to Kinder Academy?
  •  Developmental Milestones: If your child met growth milestones such as speaking and potty training later than their siblings or friends, Kinder Academy can provide additional support and guidance to help attain the skills they need to succeed in Kindergarten.
  • Preschool Attendance: If your child did not attend preschool, Kinder Academy can offer a structured learning environment to prepare them for Kindergarten.
  • Limited Peer Interaction: If your child has limited experience with peers or struggles to play with other children, Kinder Academy can provide opportunities for socialization and peer interaction.
  • Following Directions: If your child typically needs many reminders to complete a single task, Kinder Academy can further support their growth in the area of following directions.
  • Emotional Regulation: If your child struggles with managing strong emotions such as frustration or sadness, Kinder Academy can provide support and strategies to help them cope effectively.
  • Foundational Academic Skills: If your child needs support with foundational academic skills such as recognizing letters and numbers, Kinder Academy can focus on building these foundational skills.

Overall, Kinder Academy offers a nurturing and supportive environment where children can develop essential skills and readiness for kindergarten. If you have any concerns about your child's readiness for Kindergarten, Kinder Academy can provide the additional support and preparation they need for a successful transition.

• What do students learn in Kinder Academy?

In Kinder Academy, students engage in a variety of activities designed to promote their overall development and prepare them for future academic success. Here's an overview of what students typically learn in Kinder Academy:

• Social and Behavioral Skills: Students learn how to interact with their peers, take turns, ask for help when needed, and follow classroom rules. Teachers focus on helping students develop skills for working collaboratively, playing cooperatively, and managing their emotions effectively.
• Foundational Academic Skills: Kinder Academy introduces students to foundational academic concepts and skills to build a strong educational foundation. These skills include:
  • Talking About Books: Students learn to engage with stories by discussing characters, settings, and events. They develop comprehension skills by listening to stories read aloud and asking questions about the text.
  • Fine Motor Skills: Students learn how to hold a pencil correctly and make simple drawings. They practice tracing shapes, lines, and letters to develop hand-eye coordination and fine motor control.
  • Phonics and Phonological Awareness: Students begin to recognize letters and the sounds they represent. They practice phonemic awareness activities such as identifying rhyming words, blending sounds to make words, and segmenting words into individual sounds.
  • Math Concepts: Students engage in activities to develop their understanding of numbers, counting, and basic mathematical operations. They learn to count forwards and backward, recognize and match objects to numbers, and sort objects based on attributes such as shape, size, and color.
• How is Kinder Academy different from preschool?
  • Teacher and Student Ratio: In Kinder Academy, there is typically one teacher assigned to the class for the entire day, every day. In preschools, class sizes are often smaller with a lead teacher and assistants.
  • Rest or Nap Time: Unlike preschool, Kinder Academy students do not have a dedicated rest or nap time during the school day. This reflects the transition to a more structured and academically focused environment.
  • Curriculum Focus: Kinder Academy lessons, especially in the second half of the school year, are designed to align with Michigan's Kindergarten Standards. These standards outline specific learning objectives and expectations for kindergarten students in various subject areas such as language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies. In contrast, preschool lessons typically do not address state-specific Kindergarten standards. 
• How is Kinder Academy different from Kindergarten?
  • Kinder Academy students spend more time learning self-care, social skills, and language skills. In Kinder Academy classes, students also have more opportunities to practice skills before being introduced to new skills. Kindergarten today is more rigorous than it used to be. Kinder Academy is often compared to what Kindergarten was in the past. 
• Is there a charge to attend Kinder Academy?
  • There is no charge to attend Kinder Academy.
• What grade will children go into after Kinder Academy?
  • After the Kinder Academy year, students will enter Kindergarten.
• What days do students go to Kinder Academy? 
  • Kinder Academy students attend school Monday-Friday when classes are in session.
• How long is the Kinder Academy school day?
  • The Kinder Academy day is 8:50 am - 3:32 pm. 
• Is transportation provided?
  • Transportation is provided for students living in the Fowlerville school district boundaries. 
• Are meals offered?
  • If the State of Michigan food program continues, free breakfast and lunch will be provided to Kinder Academy students.
• Can my child go to childcare before and after school?
  • For an additional cost, Kinder Academy students can attend before/after school programs through Fowlerville Community Schools’ Little Glads Center.

Starting school is an important time in a child's life and children’s readiness for school is important to us.  Kindergarten registration opens in January and Kindergarten Round Up sessions are offered in Spring, usually April.

Registering early allows the teachers, principals, and school districts several opportunities to connect with you and your child before school begins and allow them the opportunity to plan for the upcoming school year.

Learn more about transitioning to kindergarten here.

Supplies List

Vision Screening

Meet the Kindergarten Teachers 

Meet the Specials Teachers (Coming Soon)

Welcome to Kindergarten! Video