Preschool Program Prepares At-Risk Youth for Kindergarten

For many area parents, the Great Start Readiness Program at has helped their children take big strides.

The program, which has been at Baker for at least 10 years, prepares at-risk children for kindergarten by building their skills set.

Fifty-seven kids completed the program this week and sealed it off Wednesday by performing the play The Very Hungry Caterpillar for friends and family in the Baker Preschool gym. 

"It's a wonderful program," preschool director Julie Bokor said, adding that the kids learn everything from social skills and coping skills to positive self-esteem.

Bokor said the program starts in September and goes through June. A 5-week summer program follows.

Preschoolers must be turning 4 by Dec. 1 to enroll in the program and there are 58 slots for the upcoming year, with nine left to fill. Interested parents are welcome to bring their children to screening and testing from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday at Baker.

Bokor said children at-risk for school failure are usually those with chronic illness, low-income families, divorced or absent parents, developmental issues and other factors.

The classes usually meet for three hours, four days a week, Bokor said.

Tamsen McGray of Clawson has three children that have been through the program, including her 5-year-old son, Collin, who just finished this week and moves on to in the fall.

McGray said she has seen improvements in Collin's speech and social skills.

"The teachers are just the best," McGray said. "I think this class more than prepared him for (kindergarten)."

Kathleen Potts has also noticed growth in her daughter, Rachel.

"She is learning how to get along and share ... and recognize her alphabet," Potts said.

The program is funded by the state of Michigan, and the Baker program is open to children in Oakland County. Bokor said kids from Ferndale, Troy, Birmingham and Berkley often come to Baker for GSRP.

Aside from classroom instruction, the kids also have guest speakers as well as field trips.

Class teachers are Christine Hodge and Kim Carpenter and paraprofessionals are Pam Murphy and Audrey Lajeunesse.

If you are interested in enrolling your child for the program, you can bring them to Friday's testing from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. or contact Julie Bokor at 248-797-0420.