It's time to start looking for preschools around Ann Arbor for the 2010-2011school year.

Following are open house listings sorted by date. Some schools do not offer open houses, preferring to offer individual tours. Contact information for them can be found below the listings.

Here are some things to consider when looking for a preschool.

Tuesday, March 2
9-11a.m. Daycroft Montessori - Oakbrook Campus for PreK and K, 100 E. Oakbrook Drive, Ann Arbor - Open houses are the first Tuesday of each month. They are a wonderful opportunity to see the classes in action, meet staff and tour the building.

Wednesday, March 3
7-8 p.m. Allen Creek Preschool - 2350 Miller Ave. (east of Maple), Ann Arbor - 734-994-3382 - Allen Creek Fives Roundup and Kindergarten Readiness Panel. Explore the option of a Fives Program (for children 4 1/2 to 6) as an alternative to large Kindergarten (or pre-K) classrooms. Attend their Open House and Fives Roundup to hear from teachers, family consultants and alumni. Allen Creek provides an environment with the elements that allow a child to flourish: a high-quality program, low teacher-student ratios and an emergent curriculum that fosters learning with an emphasis on community-building and kindness.

7-8:30 p.m. The Discovery Center - 775 S. Maple, Ann Arbor - 734-663-7496 - They offer a "blended" kindergarten for children who will be 41/2 to 6 years of age during the coming 2010-11 school year. Please call to enroll a spot at this information session. Parent tours for the full-day and half-day preschool programs are offered each week on various days from
9:45-11 a.m. Please call 663-7496 to schedule one of these tours. Enrollment for the summer and fall began for all preschool programs on Feb. 1.

Thursday, March 4
9-11a.m. Daycroft Montessori - Zeeb Campus for K-6th grade, 1095 N. Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor - Open houses are the first Thursday of each month. They are a wonderful opportunity to see the classes in action, meet staff and tour the building.

9:30-10:30 a.m. Christian Montessori School of Ann Arbor - 5225 Jackson Road, Ann Arbor - Attend one of the Fall Enrollment Open Houses to learn more about Christian Montessori education for preschool through adolescence. For more information call 734-332-9600, e-mail information@cmsaa.org or visit their Web site.

Trinity Lutheran Preschool Learning Center Open House starts at 6:30 p.m. -Classes are M,W,F, 9:00-1:30 during the school year. -Teacher ratio 1: 7.5 children, 30 students total. -Theme-oriented learning and play -Non-denominational Located in Trinity Lutheran Church, 1400 W. Stadium, Ann Arbor Call 662-4419 or visit www.trinityaa.org to learn more.

Chelsea Community Preschool will be holding its Open House for the 2010/2011 school year on Thursday, March 4, from 6:00-7:00 p.m. at the Washington Street Complex in the Early Childhood Center. Classes are offered for children ages 3-5. To view our website, click on http://www.chelsea.k12.mi.us/education/district/district.php?sectionid=1, then click on Schools-Early Childhood-Community Preschool. For more information call Kris at (734)-433-2208, ext. 6001.

Saturday, March 6
9:30 or 11a.m. Sunshine Special Children's Studio - 6536 Scio Church Road, Ann Arbor - 734-665-5175 - Call to reserve a time slot for a visit.

Sunday, March 7
1-4 p.m. A Preschool Expo will be held at the Palmer Commons on the campus of the University of Michigan, 100 Washtenaw Ave., Ann Arbor. Representatives from over 40 Preschools will be on hand to answer questions, share promotional materials, and show examples of some of the great activities going on at their schools. This event is free and open to the public! What a great opportunity to learn about many preschools, all in one place. This event is sponsored by the Ann Arbor District Library, Child Care Network, U of M Work/Life Programs, and Washtenaw Success by Six. If you would like further information, or want to sign your Preschool up to participate(also free!), please contact Meaghan Battle or call 734-327-4584.

2-4 p.m. Rudolph Steiner School of Ann Arbor - 2775 Newport Road - Come and meet with their Early Childhood Faculty! Parent/Child, Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten teachers will be available to speak with you about their various programs available for the young child. Children’s activities will take place in the Early Childhood classrooms; healthy refreshments will be served. 

Thursday, March 11 6-8 p.m. Glacier Way West Side Co-operative Preschool - 900 South 7th Street, Ann Arbor - 734-995-0707. You will have the opportunity to meet the teacher - Ms. Renee, view the classrooms, meet some current families, and register for Fall 2010. For more information, email the membership chair: cathysanborn@hotmail.com.

Thursday, March 18
9-10:30 a.m. and 1-2:30 p.m. Washtenaw Christian Academy - 7200 Moon Road, Saline - 734-429-7733 - Visit their Preschool-12th grade campus and get a chance to speak with the teachers and tour the facilities. They are now accepting applications for enrollment for the 2010-2011 school year. Classes are available for 3 year olds, 4 year olds, and young 5's. If you are unable to attend the open house, please call the office to arrange an appointment for a tour. For more information, call 734-429-7733, email: Julie Moes or visit the website.
9 a.m.-3 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Ann Arbor Christian School - 5500 Whitmore Lake Road, 
Ann Arbor - 734-741-4948 - Tour the preschool-grade 8 facility, learn about the integrated curriculum, meet the teachers and staff and visit with school families.

Friday, March 19
10:30-11:30 a.m. Allen Creek Preschool - 2350 Miller Ave. (east of Maple), Ann Arbor - 734-994-3382 - Free and open to the community, Children from birth to  age 6 and their caregivers. Meet teachers, family consultants and parents. Allen Creek provides an environment with the key elements to a high-quality program: low teacher-student ratios, an emergent curriculum that fosters learning, and an emphasis relationships, community-building and kindness.

Saturday, March 20
9:30 or 11 a.m. - Sunshine Special Children's Studio - 6536 Scio Church Road, Ann Arbor - 734-665-5175 - Call to reserve a time slot for a visit.

Thursday, March 25
7-8:30 p.m. St Paul's Lutheran School & Preschool - 495 Earhart Road, Ann Arbor - 734-665-0604 -This is an opportunity to talk with teachers, tour the school, and find out what St. Paul School is all about.

Friday, April 2
10-11 a.m. Allen Creek Preschool - 2350 Miller Ave. (east of Maple), Ann Arbor - 734-994-3382 - "Family Art on Friday Mornings." This unique open house allows you to bring your children to witness them interacting with teachers and students, while touring the school and creating an art project with you. Free and open to the community, Children from birth to  age 6 and their caregivers.

Saturday, April 17
9:30 or 11a.m. - Sunshine Special Children's Studio - 6536 Scio Church Road, Ann Arbor - 734-665-5175 - Call to reserve a time slot for a visit.

Wednesday, April 21
9:30-10:30 a.m. Christian Montessori School of Ann Arbor - 5225 Jackson Road, Ann Arbor - Attend one of the Fall Enrollment Open Houses to learn more about Christian Montessori education for preschool through adolescence. For more information call 734-332-9600, e-mail information@cmsaa.org or visit their Web site.

Thursday, April 29
10a.m.-2 p.m. St Paul's Lutheran School & Preschool - 495 Earhart Road, Ann Arbor - 734-665-0604 -This is an opportunity to talk with teachers, tour the school, and find out what St. Paul School is all about.

Tuesday, May 11
9:30-10:30 a.m. Christian Montessori School of Ann Arbor - 5225 Jackson Road, Ann Arbor - Attend one of the Fall Enrollment Open Houses to learn more about Christian Montessori education for preschool through adolescence. For more information call 734-332-9600, e-mail information@cmsaa.org or visit their Web site.

Friday, May 21
10:30-11:30 a.m. Allen Creek Preschool - 2350 Miller Ave. (east of Maple), Ann Arbor - 734-994-3382 - Free and open to the community, Children from birth to  age 6 and their caregivers.

The Little Lamb Nursery - 2794 Packard Road, Ann Arbor - 734-971-4811 - has not finalized their open house plans yet. They plan to have one in both February and April.

The following programs do not host open houses, but provide individual tours:

The Early Learning Center believes families can make a more informed decision about preschool when they see the staff in action. To make an appointment for a tour, families should contact Denise Grzesiak at 734-973-7722 or elcenter@att.net.

St. Paul Early Childhood Center is an NAEYC accredited and Governor's Quality Care Award winning program which offers programs for infants,toddlers and preschool age children.  Call director Pat Kalmes at 734-668-0887 for a personal tour. St.Paul is located in Ann Arbor's Old West Side at 420 West Liberty, Ann Arbor.

The UMHS Child Care Center enrolls families affiliated with the University of Michigan, with special priority given to those who are affiliated with the University Hospital or Medical School. They enroll newborns through pre-kindergarten year-round and have programs for elementary-aged children throughout the school year and during summers. To find out more about spaces or enrollment, please call 734-998-6195 or visit their Web site.

Community Daycare & Preschool offers tours daily from 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Please call Audrey at 734-761-7101 to schedule an appointment.

Ann Arbor Hills Child Development Center holds individual tours by appointment. They offer programs for children ages 18 months through 8 years old. The school is focused on the needs of each individual child allowing them to reach their full potential and is dedicated to nurturing great beginnings. Please call 734-971-3080 to schedule an appointment.

The information above was provided by the individual schools. If your school is not listed, please e-mail information on open houses or tours, and it will be added to the list.
 
Anna Mae Trievel is a stay-at-home mother to a 4 year old. She publishes information on events and activities for preschoolers through a Web site, blog, Facebook page and Twitter account.