Where to Find Young 5s Programs Near Grand Rapids
Is your child technically old enough for kindergarten, but you’re not sure if they’re ready academically or socially? In Michigan, you have options.
While preschool is the first thing many of us think of, there’s actually a school that bridges the gap between preschool and kindergarten, that offers a little more academic focus than preschool, but with more flexibility than kindergarten.
It’s called Young 5’s and many parents find this the perfect fit for the kid before the rigors of elementary school.
Read on to see all the wonderful Young 5 programs in West Michigan. You’ll find both faith-based and secular, all day programs and half day programs.
Grand Rapids Young 5s programs are important to many families.
Young Fives. Developmental Kindergarten. Transitional Kindergarten. Pre-Kindergarten.
Whatever you call it, these programs have been a life saver for kids who aren’t quite ready to start kindergarten in the fall. Young Fives offers a little more structure than preschool, and their curriculum guides your child to kindergarten readiness.
Parents also like that schools offer a variety of time structures, including half day programs or schools that are only three days a week.
Although many public schools have stopped offering Young Fives, some still offer an all day, every day program. Many families, however, have turned to private and charter schools for more flexible Young Fives programs.
Grand Rapids Young 5s and Pre K Programs | 2024-2025
Once you’re ready for kinder, use our mega list of local schools to weigh your options as you decide what best suits your child’s needs.
Thinking another year of traditional preschool would be best for your child? Find just the right place in the GRKIDS preschool guide.
Young 5s or Pre K Programs with Multiple Locations
| AppleTree Early Care and Preschool | ||
| Goddard School | ||
| Grand Rapids Christian School | Grand Rapids & Rockford locations | |
| Milestones Child Development Center | ||
| National Heritage Academies | Chandler Woods, Cross Creek Charter Academy, Excel Charter Academy, Knapp Charter, Ridge Park Charter Academy, River City Scholars, Vanderbilt Charter Academy, Vanguard Charter Academy, Vista Charter Academy, Walker Charter Academy |
City of Grand Rapids Young 5s Programs
| All Saints Academy | 2233 Diamond Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505 | 616-447-2997 |
| Children’s Workshop Preschool | 2727 Michigan St NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506 | 616-977-0555 |
| Eastminster Preschool | 1700 Woodward Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506 | 616-247-0433 |
| Grace Episcopal | 1815 Hall St SE, Suite 100, Grand Rapids, MI 49506 | 616-239-2650 |
| Holy Spirit Catholic School | 2222 Lake Michigan Dr NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504 | 616-453-2772 |
| Immanuel St. James Lutheran | 2066 Oakwood Avenue NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505 | 616-363-0505 |
| Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic School | 1951 Plymouth Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506 | 616-241-4633 |
| Mayflower Preschool | 2345 Robinson Rd SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506 | 616-459-7386 |
| NorthPointe Christian | 540 Russwood St NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505 | 616-363-4869 |
| Our Savior Lutheran | 1916 Ridgewood Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506 | 616-949-0710 |
| West Michigan Academy of Environmental Science | 4463 Leonard St NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49534 | 616-791-7454 |
| West Side Christian | 955 Westend NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504 | 616-453-3925 |
Young 5s North of Grand Rapids
| Our Lady of Consolation | 4865 11 Mile Rd, Rockford, MI 49341 | 616-866-2427 |
Young 5s East of Grand Rapids
| Ada Christian | 6206 Ada Dr SE, Ada, MI 49301 | 616-676-1289 |
| Ada Village Preschool | 6330 Ada Dr SE, Ada, MI 49301 | 616-676-3576 |
| Canterbury Creek Farm School | 6555 Grand River Dr NE, Ada, MI 49301 | 616-676-0248 |
| Forest Hills Presbyterian Preschool | 7495 Cascade Rd SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 | 616-957-3239 |
| St. Robert’s Catholic School | 6477 Ada Dr SE, Ada, MI 49301 | 616-455-4966 |
Southern Grand Rapids Young 5s
| Byron Center Christian | 8840 Byron Center Ave, Byron Center, MI 49315 | 616-878-3347 |
| Dutton Christian School | 6729 Hanna Lake, Caledonia, MI 49316 | 616-698-8660 |
| Legacy Christian | 520 68th St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49548 | 616-455-0310 |
| Moline Christian | 1253 144th Avenue, Moline, MI 49335 | 616-877-4688 |
| St. Mark Lutheran School | 1934 52nd St SE, Kentwood, MI 49508 | 616-455-5320 |
| Zion Christian | 7555 Byron Center Ave, Byron Center, MI 49315 | 616-878-9472 |
Young 5s West of Grand Rapids
| Borculo Christian | 6830 96th Ave, Zeeland, MI 49464 | 616-875-8152 |
| Grandville Christian | 3934 Wilson Ave, SW, Grandville, MI 49418 | 616-532-2373 |
| Holland Christian School | 556 Butternut Dr, Holland, MI, 49424 913 Pine Ave, Holland, MI, 49423 | 616-820-2805 616-820-3535 |
| Horizon Complex | 6462 Center Industrial Dr, Jenison, MI 49428 | 616-669-7722 |
| Hudsonville Christian | 3435 Oak St, Hudsonville, MI 49426 | 616-669-6689 |
| Lamont Christian | 5260 Leonard Rd, Coopersville, MI, 49404 | 616-677-1757 |
| Maple Tree Preschool | 3060 Wilson Ave, Grandville, MI 49418 | 616-534-5465 |
| St. John Vianney Catholic School | 4101 Clyde Park Ave SW, Wyoming, MI 49509 | 616-532-7001 |
| Zeeland Christian School | 334 W. Central Ave, Zeeland, MI 49464 | 616-772-2609 |
The Goddard School on Knapp’s Corner is opening an AMAZING young 5s program next month for those starting Kindergarten this fall. It is going to be a great little refresher for my young 5 little boy who I started in K this year, but had to pull him. He just wasn’t ready, but I was looking for something for a few months before starting him again and found this place! Check them out!
Kentwood Public Schools offer several Young 5’s Programs and are very good programs for those parents wanting to have their child have another year to grow and develop at their own pace before entering the rigor of Kindergarten. They provide bussing for in person learning if needed as well. They are currently offering a choice for families as well; in-person or online with a teacher and the class as a whole, and one to one, or “small group” options on top of the daily multiple group lessons throughout the day. I know many friends who have sent their children there and love it.
St. Robert in Ada also has a preschool, young 5s program, kindergarten, and 1st grade (starting this fall).
West Michigan Academy of Arts and Academics in Spring Lake has a Young 5s program starting in fall 2019 as well.
St. Robert Catholic School will offer young 5s starting in the fall of 2019. This will be a Monday through Thursday full day program (8-3).
West Michigan Academy of Environmental Science also has a free young 5s program, M-F all day.
Creative PlayStation Christian Preschool in Allegan has a wonderful Y5s program (MWF 1/2 days). My son was starting to read before Kindergarten with their program! Zion Christian in Byron Center also has a Y5 program (2 full-days/wk).
Dutton Christian School has a Young 5’s Kindergarten (5 half-days) in addition to a progressive Kindergarten (starts with a MWF schedule, then adds Tuesdays mid year, before eventually adding Thursdays as well).
Kenowa Hills Public schools offers a free young fives program. It is offered at each of the elementary buildings and runs all day everyday Monday through Friday!
Will an out of district child be able to Enroll? Grandparents live in kenowa hills