Early Childhood

Are you looking for information about early childhood programs, but you are not sure which program(s) may be right for your family?   

Use the link below to complete a short survey, then based on the information you provide, we'll connect you with local programs such as: Early Head Start, Early On/Build Up, Great Start Readiness Program/Head Start (free preschool), Great Start to Quality (find childcare), and WIC.  Click HERE

First Steps Logo

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Welcome to First Steps for Families, your connection to early childhood programs in Lapeer County.


The programs that make up First Steps for Families are:

  • Early Head Start, a home-based program for pregnant women and children birth to three years old.
  • Early On, a free early intervention service for families with children birth to three years old with a delay or disability. Early On specializes in evaluating and servicing children who are not developing at the rate of other peers. This can include physical, mental, communication, adaptive, and/or social/emotional development, or conditions that may lead to a delay.
  • Preschool programs including Head Start and Great Start Readiness, Michigan's free, quality, state funded program for four year old children with factors which may place them at risk for educational failure.


First Steps for Families partners include the Great Start Collaborative, the United Way of Lapeer County, Help Me Grow Michigan and the Lapeer County Intermediate School District. Through these partnerships, First Steps for Families connects parents and caregivers to resources including quality child care, additional preschool programs, nutrition information, parent groups, local activities and more.


Text “Tots” to 866-995-6597, call 810-245-3994 or email to see if your child qualifies for any of the above programs. Children may be eligible regardless of a family's financial status and whether or not a child has special physical or education needs. 



 


Resources:

The Importance of Early Intervention
Research shows that Early Identification and Intervention is an effective way to prevent or reduce delays for children at a later age. Lapeer County supports a continuum (range) of Early Childhood programming and services to assist children, ages birth to Kindergarten entry. To find a program that best fits your child Text “Tots” to 866-995-6597, call 810-245-3994 or email.


Free Developmental Screenings for Young Children
Families with children between the ages of 2 months and 5 years residing in Lapeer County School Districts can complete a FREE Ages and Stages (ASQ-3) developmental screening, or Social-Emotional Screening if you have behavior concerns. It only takes 10 minutes to complete and you will receive your results via email or phone within a week.  

There are 
five areas of development that are examined with our Ages and Stages developmental screening (ASQ-3):  

  • Fine Motor
  • Gross Motor
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Personal-Social

There are seven areas of social-emotional development that are examined with our Ages and Stages Social-Emotional Screening (ASQ:SE-2):
  • Self-regulation
  • Compliance
  • Communication
  • Adaptive Functioning
  • Autonomy
  • Affect
  • Interaction with People

Parents will also learn more about what to expect at each stage of development.  

 

  • Click HERE for Ages and Stages Developmental Screening

  • Click HERE for Ages and Stages Developmental Screening - Spanish
  • Click HERE for Ages and Stages Social-Emotional Screening
  • Click HERE for Ages and Stages Social-Emotional Screening - Spanish

If you live in Macomb, Wayne or Oakland County and have concerns about your child's development, click below to access the free screening.  


For more information Text “Tots” to 866-995-6597, call 810-245-3994 or email.


Contact:

Linda DeTavernier

Early Childhood Coordinator

Lapeer County Intermediate School District

810-245-3990 

[email protected]


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The materials are funded through a grant provided by the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential.  


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