Step 1: Decide if You Need School-Year or Year-Round Programming

School-Year Programs:

Our programs at Little Hawks, Dragonflies, and Seedlings Discovery Preschools provide school-year care for children ages 3 and 4. You’ll find the full list of schedule offerings for these schools in Step 3. If this fits your needs, continue to Step 2.

Year-Round Programs:
For families needing full-year care with hours that align with a working schedule, we offer year-round programming at Woodlands Discovery Preschool. Enrollment for Woodlands is ongoing and not tied to this registration window. For more information, please contact Woodlands Office Coordinator, Sara Eastwood, at sarae@outdoordiscovery.org.

Step 2: Choose the Best School for Your Family

We offer three exceptional schools for our school-year programs: Little Hawks, Dragonflies, and Seedlings Discovery Preschools. Each program offers a unique experience, and location may play a key role in your decision. If you’re unsure which program best suits your family, please reach out to the specific school with any questions.

For your quick reference:

• Little Hawks Discovery Preschool is located at the Outdoor Discovery Center on the south side of Holland. 
  • Limited transportation available for families in need. 
• Seedlings Discovery Preschool 
  • Centrally located in downtown Holland. 
• Dragonflies Discovery Preschool is located on the north side of Holland.
  • Limited transportation available for families in need. 
  • After school care available for an additional fee. Full day and afternoon classes offer after care for a later pick up.

Step 3: Review the Class Offerings

Down below, you’ll find a detailed grid outlining class schedules and tuition costs for each of our three schools. Be sure to scroll to the bottom to review all the information, as the page walks through each school one at a time. Our 4-day-a-week programs for 4-year-olds align with Michigan’s PreK for All initiative through the Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP).

Step 4: Consider Tuition and Assistance Options

We are committed to making our nature-based preschool accessible to all families. Here’s how we can help:

Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP):
While GSRP provides a tuition-free experience, please note that our programming, curriculum, and classroom experience remain consistent across all programs, whether funded by GSRP or not. Historically, eligibility for GSRP was determined by income and risk factors. However, under the PreK for All initiative, all families have been eligible this current school year regardless of income and risk factors, and we anticipate this eligibility to continue for the upcoming year. Families are still required to submit income documentation to complete their GSRP application.

ODC Scholarship Fund:
For 3-year-olds and families not eligible for GSRP, ODC offers privately funded scholarships based on household income. These scholarships can cover 10-75% of tuition and are reviewed in the summer before the school year begins.

How to Apply:
To apply for GSRP or an ODC Scholarship, complete the Michigan Early Childhood Connect Application. Don’t forget to upload income documentation such as:

• 2025 W-2 forms
• 2025 Tax Return (social security numbers redacted)
• Last four paystubs for all working household members

Step 5: Mark Your Calendar for Registration

Registration for school year 2026/27 is LIVE on January 29, 2026 at 8:00 PM.

To secure your child’s spot:

• Click on the unique registration link for your desired class.
• Complete the $85 non-refundable registration fee online.
• Fully check out in the registration system to confirm your spot or place on the waitlist.

If your first choice is full, you can join the waitlist for your location and age group at no cost.

Additional Notes for the 2026/27 School Year

Online Registration System: During the initial registration process, we’ll only collect basic details, including your child’s name, date of birth, your contact information and registration fee. After registration is complete, you’ll receive an email with a follow-up questionnaire to provide additional information.

Age Eligibility Policy: Children must be 3 years old by September 1st to enroll in 3-year-old classes and 4 years old by December 1st to enroll in 4-year-old classes. Families with children turning 4 between September 2 and December 1 have the option to enroll in either our 3-year-old programs or our 4-year-old programs.

Waitlist: There is one waitlist per age group for each school. If the class session you wish to register for is full, use the waitlist link to add your child to the waitlist. Please note, there is not an automatic waitlist, you must use the waitlist link if the class you wish to register for is full. If you wish to be on the waitlist for multiple class sessions, you will complete the waitlist form for each class.

Enrollment Packets: Teaching teams, session names, and classroom assignments will be sent via email during the summer.

Early Registration for Current Families: Families with children currently attending our programs have an early registration window. This allows students currently attending our 3 year old program to secure their spot in our 4 year program for the following year. If the class you wish to register for is full, please add your child to the waitlist.

Reminder: Be sure to enroll in only one of our selected sessions. We strive to provide access to as many students and families as possible. With multiple session options available, we work hard to ensure there’s a program that best fits your family’s needs.

We look forward to an exciting year of nature-based learning and discovery for your child!