Young 5s & Pre Kindergarten Programs Near GR

Where to Find Young 5s Programs Near Grand Rapids

My son has a July birthday, and my husband and I are currently on the fence about sending him to Young Fives or to a West Michigan elementary school in the Fall. 

While we do feel he is academically ready, we are unsure if he is emotionally ready.  So I am researching Young Fives programs in West Michigan.

Many of my friends who put their kids in young fives have said that giving their kids this extra year to grow both personally and academically was the best choice they could have ever made.

Pushing my son into Kindergarten next year just because of his age is not the right answer. I want school to be a positive place and to set him up for success!

Grand Rapids Young Fives 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.

Although many public schools have stopped offering Young Fives, some 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 | 2022-2023

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
National Heritage AcademiesChandler 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 Academy2233 Diamond Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505616-447-2997
Children’s Workshop Preschool2727 Michigan St NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506616-977-0555
Eastminster Preschool1700 Woodward Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506616-247-0433
Grace Episcopal1815 Hall St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506616-239-2650
Holy Spirit Catholic School2222 Lake Michigan Dr. NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504616-453-2772
Immanuel St. James Lutheran2066 Oakwood Avenue NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505616-363-0505
Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic School1951 Plymouth Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506616-241-4633
Mayflower Preschool2345 Robinson RD SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506616-459-7386
New Community Preschool2340 Dean Lake Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505616-361-9780
NorthPointe Christian540 Russwood NE | Grand Rapids, MI | 49505616-363-4869
Our Savior Lutheran1916 Ridgewood Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506616-949-0710
St. Stephen Catholic School750 Gladstone Dr SE, East Grand Rapids, MI 49506616-243-8988
West Michigan Academy of Environmental Science4463 Leonard St NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49534616-791-7454
West Side Christian955 Westend NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504616-453-3925

Young 5s North of Grand Rapids

Our Lady of Consolation4865 11 Mile Rd NE, Rockford, MI 49341616-866-2427

Young 5s East of Grand Rapids

Ada Christian6206 Ada Dr. SE, Ada, MI 49301616-676-1289
Ada Village Preschool6330 Ada Drive SE, Ada, MI 49301616-676-3576
Canterbury Creek Farm School6555 Grand River Dr NE, Ada, MI 49301616-676-0248
Forest Hills Presbyterian Preschool​7495 Cascade Road SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546616-957-3239
Milestones Child Development Center4527 Cascade Rd Suite B SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546616.551.3200
St. Robert’s Catholic School6477 Ada Dr. SE, Ada, MI 49301616-455-4966

Southern Grand Rapids Young 5s

Byron Center Christian8840 Byron Center Ave, Byron Center, MI 49315616-878-3347
Dutton Christian School6729 Hanna Lake, Caledonia, MI 49316616-698-8660
Legacy Christian67 68th Street SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49548616-455-3860
Moline Christian1253 – 144th Avenue, Moline, MI  49335
St. Mark Lutheran School1934 52nd St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49508616-455-5320
Zion Christian7555 Byron Center Ave, Byron Center, MI 49315616-878-9472

Young 5s West of Grand Rapids

Borculo Christian6830 96th Ave, Zeeland, MI616-875-8152
Grandville Christian3934 Wilson Ave SW, Grandville, MI 49418616-532-2373
Holland Christian School556 Butternut Dr. Holland, MI, 49424
913 Pine Ave. Holland, MI, 49423
616-820-2805
Horizon Complex6462 Center Industrial Dr Jenison, MI 49428616-669-7722
Hudsonville Christian3435 Oak Street Hudsonville, MI 49426616-669-6689
Lamont Christian5260 Leonard Road, Coopersville, MI, 49404
Maple Tree Preschool3060 Wilson Ave SW, Grandville, MI 49418616-534-5465
St John Vianney Catholic School4101 Clyde Park Ave SW, Wyoming, MI 49509616-532-7001
Zeeland Christian School334 W. Central Ave, Zeeland, MI 49464616-772-2609

About The Author

10 thoughts on “Young 5s & Pre Kindergarten Programs Near GR”

  1. 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!

    1. 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.

  2. 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).

  3. Avatar photo

    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).

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *