Ottawa Area Intermediate School District
It is never too early to prepare for your child's future. Research on brain development has documented that the future
education and well-being of a child is formed very early.
The majority of the brain is developed during the first three years of life. Research shows that early experiences and
early learning actually changes the physical structure of the brain. Infants and Toddlers are pre-programmed to learn,
but they only learn from the experiences that we provide for them.
As parents and caregivers you have the awesome responsibility and privilege of shaping these early experiences.
Ottawa Area ISD is working to ensure that the resources and tools are available to give every child a healthy ,enriched
start to learning and life.
General Education Programs
Parents As Teachers
Provides family support including: parent education, child development, development screening, playgroups and service coordination to link families to other available services.
Play n Learn Literacy Playgroups
Groups meet monthly in local schools. All families with children birth to five are welcome
Ottawa County Preschool Programs
Information on Head Start, Great Start Readiness and Tuition Programs
Special Education Programs
Early On
Available for families with children birth to three who may have a developmental delay and/or medical condition that could
lead to a delay.
Infant Program
Provides services for children who have been identified through a special education evalution to have a significant developmental delay or physical impairment.
Community Partners
Great Start Collaborative
The Great Start Collaborative-Ottawa is a partnership of local stakeholders and parents who are committed to establishing and maintaining a comprehensive early childhood system that will address all factors that influence a child’s readiness for school and life.
Early Childhood Trainings
Parenting Resources
Ages and Stages Developmental Questionaire
Click on the link above to know if your chid is on track developmentally. The questionnaire includes questions about your child's communication, gross motor, fine motor, problem solving, and personal social skills. You must be a resident of Ottawa County to participate.
*If you have behavior concerns with your child call Tami at 616-796-1504 for a Social-Emotional Screening
Early Childhood Milestone Quiz
Take the Early Childhood Milestone Quiz in either English or Spanish. This requires Flash.
Little Learners Blog
This blog is designed for parents and includes resources, upcoming events and parenting classes and fun learning ideas for your birth to five year old children.
Great Start Connect Childcare Resources
As part of a new initiative, Great Start CONNECT, ECIC created a new online statewide database of licensed, registered child care and early education programs in Michigan.