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We are the largest, nationally accredited early education center in Washtenaw County providing subsidized tuition for all enrolled children and year-round extended care.
Through our safety net early education programming and essential services, we serve approximately 160 of the most needful children in the area each year, ranging in age from 6 weeks to 12 years.
In addition to seven classrooms, our facility holds two large indoor play spaces and more than 20,000 square feet of playgrounds, including a variety of play structures and raised bed gardens.
We offer multiple programs: Preschool for ages 6 weeks to 5 years from September through mid-June Days of Discovery summer programming from mid-June through August for kids up to age 12 Great Start Readiness program; Michigan's state-funded preschool Program for four-year-old children with factors which may place them at risk of educational failure.
Along with our lead and associate teachers, our cadre of professionals includes an early learning program director, a social worker, and an English/Spanish translation professional.
Tuition is on a sliding scale and based on household income.
Admissions Associate
Sheri Judkins
School Notes
Foundations Preschool began as Perry Nursery School in 1934 in
the depth of the Great Depression. Perry Nursery School was
started by Edith Bader, Assistant Superintendent of the Ann Arbor
Public Schools, as one of four WPA (Works Progress Administration)
Nursery Schools founded to assist children from depression-ridden
homes as well as give employment to low income mothers hired to
staff the nurseries.
It was named Perry Nursery School because it was housed in the
Perry Elementary School.
As the Depression eased in the late 1930s, the three other WPA
nurseries closed. Perry Nursery School survived and in 1942 became
a Lanham Act Nursery. The Lanham Act, established by the US
Congress, provided funding to establish child care centers so
mothers of young children could work in the growing defense
industry.As World War II ended and mothers employed in defense
industries again became full-time homemakers, a group of parents,
administrators and community activists recognized there was still a
need for full-time child care for young children. Many women were
the sole or major supporters of their families. In addition to
low-income and divorced mothers, there were war widows and wives
who supported the family while their husbands went to college under
the GI Bill.
In 1948 Perry Nursery School was incorporated by the state of
Michigan as a non-profit organization. In 1952 the Nursery
was made a member agency of the United Way and it still is.
In 1967 the Perry School Building closed and Perry Nursery moved
into a house on Washtenaw Rd. near Hill St. In 1992 the
Nursery School moved to its current location on Packard near
Carpenter. On October 4th, 2014, Perry Nursery School became
FOUNDATIONS PRESCHOOL OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.
Even though Foundations Preschool has changed names, locations,
students, teachers and directors over the years, the goal of
providing quality, affordable child care for low-income families
remains constant.
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The average private school tuition in Ann Arbor, MI is $17,062 for elementary schools and $19,320 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).
