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Early Childhood Center Home

A fun little house provides a great area for play for young students.
The Early Childhood Center was opened in 2022 and built with bond funds approved by voters in 2019.
Students feel an animal pelt that helps keep animals warm in winter.
Two students feel a skunk pelt as they learn about how animals stay warm in winter.
crafts
Families enjoy an art event at the ECC.
A girl catches a balloon and twirls in her gown at the ECC literacy ball.
The multi-purpose room provides a place for lunches and activities.
Students enjoy playing on the natural playscapes.
A student and parent pose beside some student artwork made in class.
ECC students pick out books from their collection.
The ECC classroom hallway is divided into different sections each with their own color to help reinforce learning colors.
Two children hug each other in front of a castle backdrop during the literacy night event.
This larger play structure is available to children in the before and after school daycare programs.
Students dress up as princes and princesses for the literacy ball.
ECC Director Mrs. Hoeksma reads a story to families joining the Literacy Night celebration.
Families enjoy the ECC open house where children are playing on the playground.
An ECC teacher dresses up as a court jester and sings songs with the students during the literacy ball.
A student stands by a piece of his artwork.
A firefighter dressed in fire emergency gear shakes hands with students.
Students pet a lamb at a special Farmer Day event at the ECC.
A student gets a little help making a magic wand at the literacy ball.

Encouraging and developing the greatest potential of each student

News & Announcements

Information graphic about Kindergarten, Young 5's and Pre-K programs.

Open Enrollment For 2026-27 School Year Begins Feb. 9

Open enrollment for the 2026-27 school year begins Feb. 9 for all students. For parents of young children, the district has put together some information to help determine if Pre-K, Young 5's or Kindergarten programs are best for your child. To enroll, go to www.tkschools.org under the "Families" tab.
Dayne Fletke, Kristi Palmbos and Nathan Boersma are pictured with Merritt Matrix founders Jordan and Kenan Smith.

TK Staff Humbled by ‘The Thank You Project’ Recognition

When Jordan and Kenan Smith walked into Dayne Fletke’s middle school classroom, he had no idea what was about to happen. Neither did Kristi Palmbos, a para-pro in his room. But 7th grader Nate Boersma was all smiles. He knew exactly what was going on - or at least he thought he did.
An Early Childhood Center student examines a dried corn husk on her Wonder Walk.

Wonder Walks Explore Nature Around School

TK Early Childhood Center teacher Kathy Bates leads her Great Start Readiness Program class outside for Wonder Walks two times a week, and once a month students collect things they find, like flowers, leaves and seeds.
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A MESSAGE FROM ECC DIRECTOR AMANDA HOEKSMA

Thornapple Kellogg Early Childhood Center
Welcome to the Early Childhood Center!
 
Welcome! Our beautiful Early Childhood Center has been open since 2022. At TK ECC, our programs strive to provide all students with a safe and caring environment that stimulates and challenges their growth and learning. We are play-based and child-centered, recognizing that all children are unique in their strengths, interests, needs, and learning styles. 
 

All of our classrooms implement a curriculum designed to provide age-appropriate learning experiences where our young learners can grow in all areas of development.  We believe in the power of relationships and work closely with our families, valuing your involvement as an integral part of your child's educational journey.
 

We are so excited to have you join us this school year!  Thank you for entrusting us to be your child’s first step in their educational journey during their preschool years here at Thornapple Kellogg Schools.