Amazingly it is time to start looking at preschools around Ann Arbor for the 2010-2011 school year. It is best to start your search early to have the most options available to you, as classes can fill up. Open houses are beginning later this week. The open house listings are 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 by dates.

In addition to visiting the individual schools, Mothers & More is hosting its Annual Preschool Panel on February 2 with panelists from several local preschools. Ann Arbor District Library, Child Care Network, U of M Work/Life Programs, and Washtenaw Success by Six are also sponsoring a Preschool Expo on Sunday March 7 with representatives from over 40 preschools.

Thursday, January 14

7-8:30p St Paul's Lutheran School & Preschool - 495 Earhart Rd, 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, January 22 10:30-11:30a Allen Creek Preschool - 2350 Miller Ave. (east of Maple), Ann Arbor - 734-994-3382 - Free and open to community. Children, aged 0-6 and their caregivers.

Saturday, January 23 9:30 or 11a - Sunshine Special Children's Studio - 6536 Scio Church Rd, Ann Arbor - 734-665-5175 - Call to reserve a time slot for a visit.

Sunday, January 24 1:30-4p St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School - 2270 E. Stadium Blvd., Ann Arbor - 734-821-2290 - St. Francis offers a fully licensed pre-school with part-time and full-time care between the hours of 6:45a and 6:15p, before-school and after-school programs, and extended Kindergarten programs for enrolled students. Please contact the Extended School Program at St. Francis at for more information.

Sunday, January 31 12:30-3p - St Thomas Little Saints Preschool - 540 Elizabeth Street, Ann Arbor - St Thomas Little Saints is an NAEYC accredited preschool offering classes for five year olds Jan -June 2010, and for three through five year olds for the 2010 -2011 school year.
Tuesday, February 2 9a-11a Daycroft Montessori - Oakbrook Campus for PreK and K, 100 East Oakbrook Drive, Ann Arbor - 734-930-0333 - 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.

7-8p 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.

7-9p Annual Preschool Panel hosted by the Washtenaw County Chapter of Mother's & More at the Pittsfield Senior Center, 701 West Ellsworth, Ann Arbor - Representatives from Ann Arbor area preschools will speak from their experiences and field questions. This year, the following schools will be part of the panel: Ann Arbor Co-op Nursery, Bemis Farms Childcare & Preschool, Community Day Care & Preschool, Daycroft Montessori School, Early Learning Center Preschool, Glacier Way West Side Cooperative Preschool, Gretchen's House Child Development Centers, and Rudolf Steiner School of Ann Arbor. This event is free and open to the public. Note that childcare will not be provided at this event. Parents may bring babes in arms, but other arrangements should be made for todders and older children. For more information about the panel, please contact co-leader@mmwashtenaw.org or visit the Mother's & More website.

Thursday, February 4 9a-11a Daycroft Montessori - Zeeb Campus for K-6th grade, 1095 North Zeeb Rd, Ann Arbor - 734-662-3335. 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.
Saturday, February 6 9:30 or 11a - Sunshine Special Children's Studio - 6536 Scio Church Rd, Ann Arbor - 734-665-5175 - Call to reserve a time slot for a visit.
10a-2p St Paul's Lutheran School & Preschool - 495 Earhart Rd, 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.
10a-12p Triangle Cooperative Nursery School - inside the First Presbyterian Church at 1432 Washtenaw, Ann Arbor (between South University and Hill St.). They will be accepting applications for 3 and 4 year olds for the 2010-2011 school year. There is a $15 application fee, but the open house is free. Parents and children are invited to attend to tour the school and meet the teacher and other Triangle families. Children's activities and light refreshments will be provided. For more information call 734-761-7688, e-mail info@trianglecoop.org, or visit their website.
Sunday, February 7 1p-4p Christian Montessori School of Ann Arbor - 5225 Jackson Rd, 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 website.
Tuesday, February 9 6-8p 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.
Wednesday, February 10 10-11:30a First United Methodist Cooperative Nursery (FUMCN) - 120 S. State St, Ann Arbor - 734-662-7660 - FUMCN is a co-op pre-school with morning and afternoon classes for 3 and 4 year olds and a morning young fives class which meets 5 mornings a week. Interested people can call Sarah Boren Rao at 864-2898 or Tori Booker at 913-2454 for more information or visit their website at fumcn.org.
Friday, February 12 10-11a 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 community. Children, aged 0-6 and their caregivers.
Saturday, February 13 10a-12p Stone School Cooperative Nursery - 2600 Packard Avenue, Ann Arbor - 734-971-4820 - Parking is available on Ember Way, across Packard and accessible via a walk-way. Meet with teachers and current Stone School families. Play-based curriculum, experienced teachers, tuition as low as $70/month, a.m. & p.m. classes for 3's, 3/4's, 4's and pre-K's. There are also openings available for the remainder of the 2009-2010 school year. For more information, e-mail the membership chairperson.
Sunday, February 14 1-3p Go Like the Wind Montessori - 3540 Dixboro Lane, Ann Arbor - 734-747-7422 - Visit the school to learn more about the Montessori educational programs and services they offer to children, infants through 9th grade. You will get a chance to speak with the teachers and tour the facilities and forty-acre campus. They are now accepting applications for enrollment for the 2010-2011 school year. Light refreshments will be provided. If you are unable to attend, please call the office to arrange an appointment for a tour. For more information, call 734-747-7422, email: info@golikethewind.com, or visit our website.
Tuesday, February 16 9a-3p and 6-8p Ann Arbor Christian School - 5500 Whitmore Lake Rd,
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.
9:30-11:30a Ann Arbor Co-op Preschool - 517 E. Washington St, Ann Arbor - Parking is available at facility. Bring your child(ren) and explore Ann Arbor Cooperative Preschool's classroom and outdoor play area. Meet their teacher and hear about their classes for 3- and 4-year-olds. Learn about the low cost tuition, sibling nursery and plans for the future. RSVP to media@annarborcoopnursery.com. Visit their website or call (734)769-7966 for more information.
Friday, February 19 10:30-11:30a Allen Creek Preschool - 2350 Miller Ave. (east of Maple), Ann Arbor - 734-994-3382 - Free and Open to community. Children, aged 0-6 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, February 20 9:30 or 11a - Sunshine Special Children's Studio - 6536 Scio Church Rd, Ann Arbor - 734-665-5175 - Call to reserve a time slot for a visit.
Wednesday, February 24 6:30-8p Saline Cooperative Preschool - 6299 Ann Arbor-Saline Rd, Saline - Bring your preschool child and meet Miss Bonnie and other preschool families, play games, and have fun with arts and crafts. Saline Cooperative Preschool is a play based program designed to meet the needs of all students. Classes are available for 4 year olds (MWF 9:00-11:30 and 12:30-3) and 3 year olds/young 4s (T/TH 9:00-11:30 and 12:30-3). Additional information is available at www.salinecoop.org
Tuesday, March 2 9a-11a Daycroft Montessori - Oakbrook Campus for PreK and K, 100 East 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 7-8:30p The Discovery Center - 775 South 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
9:45-11am, please call 663-7496 to schedule one of these tours. Enrollment for the summer and fall will begin for all preschool programs on February 1, 2010.
Thursday, March 4 9a-11a Daycroft Montessori - Zeeb Campus for K-6th grade, 1095 N. Zeeb Rd, 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.

9:30a-10:30a Christian Montessori School of Ann Arbor - 5225 Jackson Rd, 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 website.
Saturday, March 6 9:30 or 11a - Sunshine Special Children's Studio - 6536 Scio Church Rd, Ann Arbor - 734-665-5175 - Call to reserve a time slot for a visit.
Sunday, March 7 1-4p A Preschool Expo will be held at the Palmer Commons on the campus of the University of Michigan, 100 Washtenaw Avenue, 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.
Thursday, March 18 9a-3p and 6-8p Ann Arbor Christian School - 5500 Whitmore Lake Rd,
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 10:30-11:30a Allen Creek Preschool - 2350 Miller Ave. (east of Maple), Ann Arbor - 734-994-3382 - Free and open to community. Children, aged 0-6 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 11a - Sunshine Special Children's Studio - 6536 Scio Church Rd, Ann Arbor - 734-665-5175 - Call to reserve a time slot for a visit.
Thursday, March 25 7-8:30p St Paul's Lutheran School & Preschool - 495 Earhart Rd, 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 10-11a 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 community. Children, aged 0-6 and their caregivers.
Saturday, April 17 9:30 or 11a - Sunshine Special Children's Studio - 6536 Scio Church Rd, Ann Arbor - 734-665-5175 - Call to reserve a time slot for a visit.
Wednesday, April 21 9:30a-10:30a Christian Montessori School of Ann Arbor - 5225 Jackson Rd, 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 website.
Thursday, April 29 10a-2p St Paul's Lutheran School & Preschool - 495 Earhart Rd, 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 9:30a-10:30a Christian Montessori School of Ann Arbor - 5225 Jackson Rd, 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 website.
Friday, May 21 10:30-11:30a Allen Creek Preschool - 2350 Miller Ave. (east of Maple), Ann Arbor - 734-994-3382 - Free and Open to community. Children, aged 0-6 and their caregivers.

The Little Lamb Nursery - 2794 Packard Road, Ann Arbor, MI - 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.

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 website.

Community Daycare & Preschool offers tours daily from 10a-3:30p. 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 email 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 website, blog, Facebook page, and Twitter account.