Early childhood centers offer variety of summer programs.

Early childhood centers offer variety of summer programs.

Oceana County has a lot to offer for early childhood learning opportunities this summer. Both Diman-Wolf Early Childhood Center at Hart Public Schools and Shelby’s Early Childhood Center are hosting family literacy events sponsored by The Great Start Collaborative of Oceana County.

The collaborative was able to secure a grant, The Trusted Advisors Grant, from the Michigan Department of Education. The purpose of the Trusted Advisors Grant is to share the importance of early childhood learning and development, connecting families to resources and supporting families to find high quality child care or preschool.

Diman-Wolf’s and Shelby’s Early Childhood centers are using the grant to increase awareness on the importance of early literacy development, to increase the number of Oceana County parents who regularly read to their children as well as increase the English language proficiency of parents. Events such as, GSC playgroup, family and community events, fosters strong early literacy development.

Diman-Wolf will be hosting:

• July 5, 10 a.m.: The Legend of Mackinac Island, Walkerville Public Library. Hear the The legend of Mackinac Island and dig for turtle eggs.
• July 12, 6 p.m.: Making Music at the Library, Hart Public Library. Make musical instruments and a story.
• July 17, 6 to 8 p.m.: Krieger Kares. Meet the Oceana County Sheriff’s Office new K-9 unit at Hart Commons, learn all about working dogs.
• Sept. 13, 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.: Learning at the Market. Stories and hands on learning at the Hart Farmers Market.
• Summer Playgroups sponsored by the Collaborative at Diman-Wolf ECC, July 13, 20, and 27, and August 3 from 9 to 10:30 am.

Shelby will be hosting:

• July 12, 10 a.m.: Reading on the Avenue, the Avenue Event Center, 4747 1st St New Era, includes story and puppet show by Barbara Sims from Story Book Village.
• July 14, 9:30 a.m.: Rainbow Fish & The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Trinity Lutheran Church in New Era. Includes stories, crafts and a free book.
• July 17, 10 a.m.: Jazz It Up at the Blueberry Patch, Jazz Blueberries, formally Andrews Blueberries, 773 W Grant Rd Shelby. Lunch will be provided. Contact Shelby ECC to register.
• July 21, Three Little Pigs, Ferry Ghost Towns Day, Wesleyan Church in Ferry. Free book and a make it take it activity.
• July 24, 4 to 7 p.m.: Runaway Garden at the New Era Farmer’s Market, Read Early Read Often booth for a free book and a make it take it activity.
• July 26, 10:30 a.m.: Beach Day at the Ladder in Shelby. Receive a free book and a make it take it activity.
• July 31, 9:30 a.m.: ABCs of Farming, Country Dairy. Includes a tour, a story and some yummy snacks.  Contact Shelby ECC to register.
• August 2, 10:30 a.m.: Pajama Party, at the Ladder in Shelby. Receive a free book and a make it take it activity.
• August 9, 11:30 a.m.: Reading and Lunch at the Avenues, the Avenue Event Center in New Era, includes a spaghetti lunch, literacy activity and receive a free book.
• August 14, 4 to 7 p.m.: Inch by Inch at the New Era Farmer’s Market Read Early Read Often booth. Receive a free book and a make it take it activity.
• September 20, Pete the Cat Goes to Preschool at the Shelby Early Childhood Center. Includes stories about Pete the Cat and a free book.

In Oceana County there are four early childhood centers and three different programs available to meet parents’ needs.

Early Head Start, is a home based program that services families with children ages infant to 3-years-old and pregnant women. The Early Head Start Program is located in Hart at the Diman-Wolf Early Childhood Center.

Head Start is a center based preschool program that serves children who are ages 4-years-old and those who turn 3-years-old before December 1, 2018. Head Start classrooms are available at the Diman-Wolf and Shelby Early Childhood Center.

Great Start Readiness Program, GSRP, is a center based program that serves children who turn 4-years-old before December 1, 2018. GSRP classrooms are available at Diman-Wolf’s, along with early childhood centers in Shelby, Walkerville, and Pentwater.

All programs have highly qualified staff and research based curriculum to help students reach their school readiness goals. All programs are income based and free for those you qualify.

Diman-Wolf Early Childhood Center, 306 Johnson St, Hart, 231-873-6201 or 231-873-6211

Shelby Early Childhood Center,  155 6th St, Shelby, 231-861-6629

Walkerville Preschool, 145 Lathrop St, Walkerville, 231-873-3652

Pentwater Preschool, 600 E Park St, Pentwater, 231-869-4100