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Welcome to Real Life!
We're thrilled to show you our home-away-from-home, where we serve hundreds of families just like yours.
We believe Real Life is the perfect environment to grow young hearts, minds, and bodies, with nurturing teachers, robust curriculum, and a world of discovery and formative experiences at our farm.
If you would like to book an in-person tour of our school, please call our front desk at 734-495-0833 to talk to our staff and select a time to visit.
Our Nursery School:
Welcome to Our School!
We are located in Canton, Michigan, on Geddes Road between Beck and Denton. Our building is on the north side of the street. Our Main Entrance faces Geddes Road and is staffed throughout the day for safety, service, and security.
Our Front Desk
When you first come for a visit, someone from the front desk will have to buzz you in. Our front doors are kept locked at all times. There is a keypad where parents can enter their security code to open the doors, but visitors have to check in with staff.
Quality Learning Environment
Each classroom is set up to provide an optimal learning experience for your child. Children learn through play, and our classrooms are all equipped with a range of toys, books, and dress-up clothes to spark your child's imagination and stimulate learning.
Daily Routines Reinforce Learning
To start each school day, the children will gather on the classroom rug, and the teacher will introduce the lesson of the day. Each lesson will reinforce a more general theme of the week. The children will also go over their calendar, weather, and age-appropriate counting for the day.
Classrooms Ready for Growing Minds
During the day the teacher will set out learning centers at different tables in the classroom. Each center will reinforce key concepts and developmental milestones, usually connected to the lesson of the day.
Spaces for Your Child's Imagination to Flourish
Children are encouraged to imagine and pretend, building important cognitive, social, and emotional skills through play.
Personalized Spaces
Children hang their personal belongings (coat, backpack, etc.) on the hooks in the back of their classroom. Each child also has their own nap-time tub containing their blanket, pillow, and stuffed animal from home, giving children a sense of security and warmth as they rest each day.
Child-Size Sinks
Each classroom has an adult-size sink for the teachers to wash their hands and a child-size sink where the children get into the habit of washing their hands during the day. Each sink also has a drinking fountain for the children to use whenever needed.
Child-size restrooms
Each classroom has a child-size restroom with perfectly sized features made just for kids.
Connection Hallway
A climate-controlled hallway stretches between our two buildings, allowing families, children, and staff to pass safely and securely.
Farm Shoes
Our connection hallway is the perfect place to store farm shoes for each classroom. Two sets of shoes keep our school clean and healthy, ensuring any mud from our farm stays out of the classroom.
Building B Welcome Desk
Our secondary entrance, located in Building B, is only open during peak drop-off and pickup times and is also staffed for security.
Activity Room and Storm Shelter
Both buildings feature lower-level activity rooms that double as storm shelters. The room pictured here is under Building B and is used for class performances and events. It has a commercial elevator and wheelchair-accessible bathroom so parents and grandparents alike can be present to cheer on their children.
Three Large Playgrounds
Our school has three spacious, age-appropriate playgrounds with specialized equipment for each stage of development.
"Little Lambs" Playground
Our 2½–3-year-olds have fun low-to-the-ground with shallow slides, fun climbing equipment, and a paved "bike trail."
Outdoor Fun
Outside, children have access to tricycles, balls, and other age-appropriate playground equipment that is well-maintained and just their size.
Little Lambs Play Structure
Large motor skills are developed with crawling, climbing, and sliding.
Little Lambs School Bus
Imagination prompts, like our school bus, give children opportunities to develop social skills.
Little Lambs Fire Truck
Your child will be encouraged to exercise their language skills and learn important life lessons as they play with friends.
Little Lambs Train
Your child will have plenty to explore as they interact and play with friends.
"Jolly Roger" Playground
The "Jolly Roger" playground is ideal for the 3–4-year-olds in our Preschool Pals classes, granting them a climbing, sliding, and imagining "adventure on the high seas!"
"Jolly Roger" Playground
The "Jolly Roger" playground is ideal for the 3–4-year-olds in our Preschool Pals classes, granting them a climbing, sliding, and imagining "adventure on the high seas!"
"Jolly Roger" Playground
The "Jolly Roger" playground is ideal for the 3–4-year-olds in our Preschool Pals classes, granting them a climbing, sliding, and imagining "adventure on the high seas!"
Preschool Pals Play Structure
The other half of our "Jolly Roger" Playground has a large play structure with four slides and a "fire pole."
Preschool Pals Play Structure
The playstructure is great for developing large motor skills while playing with friends.
Our Safety Features:
Whole-School Generators
Storms are less scary when the lights stay on.
Our dual, whole-school generators automatically ensure that your child is safe and comfortable even in the event of a local power outage.
These generators are powerful enough to keep our buildings cool in the summer and warm in the winter while also keeping our coded entryways, lights, kitchen, computers, and other important features fully operational.
Our dual, whole-school generators automatically ensure that your child is safe and comfortable even in the event of a local power outage.
These generators are powerful enough to keep our buildings cool in the summer and warm in the winter while also keeping our coded entryways, lights, kitchen, computers, and other important features fully operational.
Child-Safe Property
When planning the school, Wayne County Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control required us to have two ponds on the property for run-off from the parking lots. Farmer Don, however, insisted the ponds would be a safety risk to children. After negotiating with the County, an agreement was made to install "pump lift stations" that would allow water and other run-off to drain and filter properly without harming the environment and without the dangers of a body of water near the school.
Secure Doors and Coded Entry
Through passcode security, our entrance system is designed so only users authorized by Real Life Nursery School & Kindergarten have access to our school.
All of our outside doors are only opened through periodically-changed passcodes known only to our staff. This prevents anyone other than staff from entering our buildings through playground doors.
Children are only released to adults who are listed on their emergency forms. Photo identification is required to be shown at the front desks before being allowed to pick up a child.
All of our outside doors are only opened through periodically-changed passcodes known only to our staff. This prevents anyone other than staff from entering our buildings through playground doors.
Children are only released to adults who are listed on their emergency forms. Photo identification is required to be shown at the front desks before being allowed to pick up a child.
Secure Storm Shelters
Both buildings of our school feature uniquely engineered storm shelters. Both shelters ensure your child is well-protected even in the worst possible weather scenario.
One-of-a-Kind Protection
During construction, Farmer Don gave two rules to the engineers as they designed our basement shelters: (1) The lid can never come off, and (2) nothing can ever penetrate the lid.
In response, the engineers developed a system of solid steel trusses, fully coated in flame-retardant material. Each wall is 16 inches thick with 12-inch anchors in solid concrete.
In response, the engineers developed a system of solid steel trusses, fully coated in flame-retardant material. Each wall is 16 inches thick with 12-inch anchors in solid concrete.
Fire-Resistant Building
That may look like wood on the outside of our building, but it's actually a special, "fibrous concrete" plank developed by James Hardie Building Products, Inc. It is noncombustible and UL-rated for "zero smoke contribution." Additionally, our school is framed entirely of steel with no wood, minimizing fire risk and keeping your child safe.
Modern Fire-Suppression System
Like any modern commercial building, our school has a built-in fire suppression system, and we maintain up-to-date fire extinguishers and smoke detectors throughout the school.
Egressed Classrooms
Every one of our classrooms offers secure egress doors leading directly out to our covered, wrap-around porch.
Covered Porch
Our covered porch allows for outdoor play, even on rainy days. And in the heat of summer, it's a nice, shady place for crafts, snacks, and relaxing with friends.
Climate-Controlled Classrooms
We believe comfy children and staff are happy children and staff. Each of our ten classrooms features its own dedicated HVAC system. This ensures the staff in each room can independently regulate their own room's temperature without making another room too hot or cold. This keeps your child comfortable, no matter the outside temperature.
Trained Staff Meeting State Ratios
We carefully select staff members who are happy, fun, educated, and well experienced with children; and then we provide them with ongoing training throughout the year.
The Canton Police Department conducts an annual training for managing certain emergency situations; we ensure all our teachers and assistants are certified in both First Aid and CPR; and we regularly bring in outside trainers who equip our staff with best-practices in caring for children.
The Canton Police Department conducts an annual training for managing certain emergency situations; we ensure all our teachers and assistants are certified in both First Aid and CPR; and we regularly bring in outside trainers who equip our staff with best-practices in caring for children.
Child-Safe Playgrounds
Our playgrounds feature child-safe turf and equipment that allows your child to play hard with friends while minimizing the need for Band-Aids. All our equipment is inspected and maintained to ensure your child can freely and safely run, jump, climb, and explore.
Secure Fences Keep the Fun on the Playground
Each of our three playgrounds is fully surrounded by a vinyl fence (meaning no splinters for little hands), ensuring your child is free to explore in a safe environment.
Conscientious Teachers and Staff
Whether on the playground, in the classroom, or on the farm, our staff is stationed to ensure supervision from all angles so your child is safe to learn, grow, and build friendships, no matter the current activity.
Located Near the Canton Public Safety Headquarters
Our child care facility is located only about five minutes from the Canton, Michigan, police station and fire station, ensuring professional help is always quickly accessible if ever needed.
A Built-to-Code Barn
Even our barn, built in 2015, is designed to keep children safe, including commercial-grade fire escapes, fire extinguishers, and modern electrical components.
It's also wheelchair-accessible, with a working commercial elevator in the silo!
It's also wheelchair-accessible, with a working commercial elevator in the silo!
Join Our Real Life Family Today!
Every aspect of our facilities, program, and staff selection and training are designed to keep your child safe as we educate and care for them every day. Enroll your child today!
Whole-School Generators
Storms are less scary when the lights stay on.
Our dual, whole-school generators automatically ensure that your child is safe and comfortable even in the event of a local power outage.
These generators are powerful enough to keep our buildings cool in the summer and warm in the winter while also keeping our coded entryways, lights, kitchen, computers, and other important features fully operational.
Our dual, whole-school generators automatically ensure that your child is safe and comfortable even in the event of a local power outage.
These generators are powerful enough to keep our buildings cool in the summer and warm in the winter while also keeping our coded entryways, lights, kitchen, computers, and other important features fully operational.
Child-Safe Property
When planning the school, Wayne County Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control required us to have two ponds on the property for run-off from the parking lots. Farmer Don, however, insisted the ponds would be a safety risk to children. After negotiating with the County, an agreement was made to install "pump lift stations" that would allow water and other run-off to drain and filter properly without harming the environment and without the dangers of a body of water near the school.
Secure Doors and Coded Entry
Through passcode security, our entrance system is designed so only users authorized by Real Life Nursery School & Kindergarten have access to our school.
All of our outside doors are only opened through periodically-changed passcodes known only to our staff. This prevents anyone other than staff from entering our buildings through playground doors.
Children are only released to adults who are listed on their emergency forms. Photo identification is required to be shown at the front desks before being allowed to pick up a child.
All of our outside doors are only opened through periodically-changed passcodes known only to our staff. This prevents anyone other than staff from entering our buildings through playground doors.
Children are only released to adults who are listed on their emergency forms. Photo identification is required to be shown at the front desks before being allowed to pick up a child.
Secure Storm Shelters
Both buildings of our school feature uniquely engineered storm shelters. Both shelters ensure your child is well-protected even in the worst possible weather scenario.
One-of-a-Kind Protection
During construction, Farmer Don gave two rules to the engineers as they designed our basement shelters: (1) The lid can never come off, and (2) nothing can ever penetrate the lid.
In response, the engineers developed a system of solid steel trusses, fully coated in flame-retardant material. Each wall is 16 inches thick with 12-inch anchors in solid concrete.
In response, the engineers developed a system of solid steel trusses, fully coated in flame-retardant material. Each wall is 16 inches thick with 12-inch anchors in solid concrete.
Fire-Resistant Building
That may look like wood on the outside of our building, but it's actually a special, "fibrous concrete" plank developed by James Hardie Building Products, Inc. It is noncombustible and UL-rated for "zero smoke contribution." Additionally, our school is framed entirely of steel with no wood, minimizing fire risk and keeping your child safe.
Modern Fire-Suppression System
Like any modern commercial building, our school has a built-in fire suppression system, and we maintain up-to-date fire extinguishers and smoke detectors throughout the school.
Egressed Classrooms
Every one of our classrooms offers secure egress doors leading directly out to our covered, wrap-around porch.
Covered Porch
Our covered porch allows for outdoor play, even on rainy days. And in the heat of summer, it's a nice, shady place for crafts, snacks, and relaxing with friends.
Climate-Controlled Classrooms
We believe comfy children and staff are happy children and staff. Each of our ten classrooms features its own dedicated HVAC system. This ensures the staff in each room can independently regulate their own room's temperature without making another room too hot or cold. This keeps your child comfortable, no matter the outside temperature.
Trained Staff Meeting State Ratios
We carefully select staff members who are happy, fun, educated, and well experienced with children; and then we provide them with ongoing training throughout the year.
The Canton Police Department conducts an annual training for managing certain emergency situations; we ensure all our teachers and assistants are certified in both First Aid and CPR; and we regularly bring in outside trainers who equip our staff with best-practices in caring for children.
The Canton Police Department conducts an annual training for managing certain emergency situations; we ensure all our teachers and assistants are certified in both First Aid and CPR; and we regularly bring in outside trainers who equip our staff with best-practices in caring for children.
Child-Safe Playgrounds
Our playgrounds feature child-safe turf and equipment that allows your child to play hard with friends while minimizing the need for Band-Aids. All our equipment is inspected and maintained to ensure your child can freely and safely run, jump, climb, and explore.
Secure Fences Keep the Fun on the Playground
Each of our three playgrounds is fully surrounded by a vinyl fence (meaning no splinters for little hands), ensuring your child is free to explore in a safe environment.
Conscientious Teachers and Staff
Whether on the playground, in the classroom, or on the farm, our staff is stationed to ensure supervision from all angles so your child is safe to learn, grow, and build friendships, no matter the current activity.
Located Near the Canton Public Safety Headquarters
Our child care facility is located only about five minutes from the Canton, Michigan, police station and fire station, ensuring professional help is always quickly accessible if ever needed.
A Built-to-Code Barn
Even our barn, built in 2015, is designed to keep children safe, including commercial-grade fire escapes, fire extinguishers, and modern electrical components.
It's also wheelchair-accessible, with a working commercial elevator in the silo!
It's also wheelchair-accessible, with a working commercial elevator in the silo!
Join Our Real Life Family Today!
Every aspect of our facilities, program, and staff selection and training are designed to keep your child safe as we educate and care for them every day. Enroll your child today!
Our Farm:
The Real Life Farm sits on the property immediately behind our school, creating unique opportunities for discovery, learning, and fun.
Real Life Farm, which has provided unique child care experiences in Canton, Michigan, for decades, sits immediately behind the Real Life Nursery School and Kindergarten.
The Big Red Barn
The Big Red Barn has been an iconic part of the Canton community for decades, serving thousands of families with cherished memories.
Our barn is built to code.
Our old barn, which stood for nearly 50 years, was replaced in 2015 with a beautiful, built-to-code structure that will endure for generations.
Milk our dairy cow!
Your child will enjoy real-life farm experiences as part of their regular early learning curriculum.
Farmer Aaron Leads a Group Activity
Following in the footsteps of his grandfather and father, Farmer Jim and Farmer Don, Farmer Aaron oversees the daily operations of our one-of-a-kind farm.
Hand-feed our sheep and goats.
Your child will love regular interactions with our real-life farm animals.
A new batch of baby animals arrives every spring!
Each spring, our Big Red Barn is filled with baby lambs, goats, piglets, ducklings, kittens, bunnies, and more.
Bottle-feed our baby goats and lambs.
In the spring and fall, children enjoy bottle-feeding our youngest batch of baby farm animals.
Piglets!
The annual arrival of new, energetic piglets is a highlight of the school year.
Children learn gentleness and care with real-life animals.
Children at our school learn to care for animals, building empathy, conscientiousness, and other virtues that will serve them throughout life.
Give your child experiences they will never forget.
Our unique curriculum gives your child a world of discovery and learning on the farm.
Children enjoy hayrides from our farm back to the school.
Our farm staff treats children in our school to hayrides between the barn and school—a great opportunity for open conversations with teachers and friends.
Our horses are specially trained for children.
We buy our horses when they're already older and calmer. Then we train them to remain safe and friendly with children.
Pony Rides
When the weather is right and the farm staff is available—especially during our summer Junior Day Camp program—children enjoy guided pony rides on the farm.
Growing Together
Little animals are great companions for little learners.
Our kids are the sweetest!
At Real Life Farm, your child will be greeted with safe, clean fun by the friendliest farm animals in Canton.
Baby Ducklings
Throughout the year, baby ducklings and chicks are born. Our teachers assist children in holding them, teaching gentleness, respect, and kindness.
More Than a Field Trip
The only thing better than a day at Real Life Farm is EVERY day at Real Life Farm. Our petting farm is part of our regular curriculum, as the weather allows.
Our kittens love people
Having been handled by children from their earliest days, our kittens and adult cats are good-natured and affectionate.
Mother cats bring us new batches of kittens.
At least once a year, one of our beloved cats brings us a whole new litter of kittens to love and hold.
Our farm is built for children.
Our farm was designed with children in mind, ensuring little ones are safe as they explore, discover, and play.
Join our Real Life family today!
We would love to serve your family with early education and child care, right here in Canton, Michigan. Enroll your child on our web site today!
The Real Life Farm sits on the property immediately behind our school, creating unique opportunities for discovery, learning, and fun.
Real Life Farm, which has provided unique child care experiences in Canton, Michigan, for decades, sits immediately behind the Real Life Nursery School and Kindergarten.
The Big Red Barn
The Big Red Barn has been an iconic part of the Canton community for decades, serving thousands of families with cherished memories.
Our barn is built to code.
Our old barn, which stood for nearly 50 years, was replaced in 2015 with a beautiful, built-to-code structure that will endure for generations.
Milk our dairy cow!
Your child will enjoy real-life farm experiences as part of their regular early learning curriculum.
Farmer Aaron Leads a Group Activity
Following in the footsteps of his grandfather and father, Farmer Jim and Farmer Don, Farmer Aaron oversees the daily operations of our one-of-a-kind farm.
Hand-feed our sheep and goats.
Your child will love regular interactions with our real-life farm animals.
A new batch of baby animals arrives every spring!
Each spring, our Big Red Barn is filled with baby lambs, goats, piglets, ducklings, kittens, bunnies, and more.
Bottle-feed our baby goats and lambs.
In the spring and fall, children enjoy bottle-feeding our youngest batch of baby farm animals.
Piglets!
The annual arrival of new, energetic piglets is a highlight of the school year.
Children learn gentleness and care with real-life animals.
Children at our school learn to care for animals, building empathy, conscientiousness, and other virtues that will serve them throughout life.
Give your child experiences they will never forget.
Our unique curriculum gives your child a world of discovery and learning on the farm.
Children enjoy hayrides from our farm back to the school.
Our farm staff treats children in our school to hayrides between the barn and school—a great opportunity for open conversations with teachers and friends.
Our horses are specially trained for children.
We buy our horses when they're already older and calmer. Then we train them to remain safe and friendly with children.
Pony Rides
When the weather is right and the farm staff is available—especially during our summer Junior Day Camp program—children enjoy guided pony rides on the farm.
Growing Together
Little animals are great companions for little learners.
Our kids are the sweetest!
At Real Life Farm, your child will be greeted with safe, clean fun by the friendliest farm animals in Canton.
Baby Ducklings
Throughout the year, baby ducklings and chicks are born. Our teachers assist children in holding them, teaching gentleness, respect, and kindness.
More Than a Field Trip
The only thing better than a day at Real Life Farm is EVERY day at Real Life Farm. Our petting farm is part of our regular curriculum, as the weather allows.
Our kittens love people
Having been handled by children from their earliest days, our kittens and adult cats are good-natured and affectionate.
Mother cats bring us new batches of kittens.
At least once a year, one of our beloved cats brings us a whole new litter of kittens to love and hold.
Our farm is built for children.
Our farm was designed with children in mind, ensuring little ones are safe as they explore, discover, and play.
Join our Real Life family today!
We would love to serve your family with early education and child care, right here in Canton, Michigan. Enroll your child on our web site today!
Book an in-person tour today!
Call our front desk at
734-495-0833
to talk to our staff and select a time to visit.
Real Life Nursery School and Kindergarten is located at:
48670 Geddes Rd.
Canton, Michigan 48188
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