Ages 2½ to 3 years
Ages 3 to 4 years
Ages 4 to 5 years
Ages 5 to 6 years
Little Lambs
Ages 2½ to 3 years
Child must be 2 years 6 months to begin.
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Children do not need to be potty trained for this program.
The Little Lambs program at Real Life Nursery School is designed especially for children who are just beginning their preschool journey. At this stage, young children like yours are naturally curious, energetic, and eager to explore the world around them. Our caring teachers create a safe and nurturing environment where young learners can grow in confidence while discovering the joy of learning.
Two-and-a-half to three-year-olds are developing a strong sense of independence. It’s common for children this age to test boundaries, express strong opinions, and explore everything they see. What may sometimes look like misbehavior is often simply a child learning how they fit into the world. Our teachers patiently guide children as they learn how to follow routines, express their needs, and interact positively with others.
Children in our Little Lambs program begin developing important early skills every day. They learn through hands-on activities such as turning the pages of books (and sometimes “reading” them aloud), scribbling with crayons and markers, threading large beads, and solving simple puzzles. Many children also practice physical skills like kicking or throwing a ball, using a spoon and fork, and sorting objects by shape, size, color, or type.
At our trusted child care program in Canton, Michigan, young children are given time and space to explore, pretend, and play. They may choose to work independently, interact in small groups, or participate in guided classroom activities. Throughout the day, children practice sharing, making choices, and learning how to get along with others.
Language development is a key part of the Little Lambs experience. Teachers encourage children to talk about what they are doing and experiencing, helping them build confidence in communication. Songs, rhymes, finger plays, and story time all help strengthen early language skills. Children are encouraged to express their wants and needs while learning how to participate as part of a group.
For many families, the Little Lambs program is the first step in their child’s educational journey—a gentle, caring introduction to preschool that builds confidence, curiosity, and a love of learning.
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Little Lambs Program Overview
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Ages: 2½–3
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Potty training not required
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Gentle introduction to preschool routines
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Focus on language, social skills, and exploration
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Warm, nurturing environment with experienced teachers
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Unique farm experiences that create memories for a lifetime
Preschool Pals
Ages 3 to 4 years
Children must be 3 years old and fully potty trained to begin.
The Preschool Pals program at Real Life Nursery School provides a thoughtful and engaging private preschool experience in Canton, Michigan, for children who are eager to explore, create, and learn. At this age, children are naturally curious about how the world works, and our classrooms and petting farm are designed to encourage discovery through meaningful, hands-on experiences.
Three- and four-year-olds learn best by doing. That’s why our teachers provide ample time for experimentation and exploration while guiding children’s thinking with thoughtful questions and encouragement. For example, when a child is playing at the sand or water table, a teacher might ask, “What do you think will happen if you pour the sand from the big blue cup into the smaller yellow cup?” These conversations help children develop early reasoning, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
Through activities like sand play, water exploration, and building with blocks, children begin to understand basic scientific and mathematical ideas—what floats or sinks, what balances, and how shapes and sizes affect the way things work.
Language and literacy are woven throughout the day. Teachers read stories aloud, encourage children to talk about their work and ideas, and create a classroom environment rich in books and printed materials. Children are often invited to turn their drawings and stories into their own classroom books, helping them see that their ideas and creativity matter.
Creativity is encouraged through a wide variety of art materials—including markers, crayons, paint, and colored paper—kept within easy reach so children can freely express their thoughts and feelings.
Equally important is the sense of belonging that children experience in our classrooms. Teachers intentionally build a strong classroom community where every child feels known, valued, and included. Photos of children’s families are displayed, and children are invited to share about their homes and experiences. Through group projects and shared activities, children learn how to cooperate, respect differences, and work together as a team.
As a family-owned Christian school, Real Life Nursery School places a strong emphasis on kindness, respect, and character development. These values are naturally integrated into the daily life of the classroom while maintaining a welcoming environment for families from many backgrounds.
At Real Life Nursery School, our private preschool program in Canton, Michigan helps children like yours build confidence, curiosity, and the social and academic foundations they will need for future learning.
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Preschool Pals Program Overview
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Ages 3–4
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Potty-trained, required
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Hands-on learning and exploration
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Early science and math discovery through play
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Daily story time and language development
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Creative art activities and self-expression
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Strong focus on classroom community and friendships
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Christian values integrated into the school day
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Private preschool program in Canton, Michigan
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One-of-a-kind, regular interaction with animals on our petting farm
Kindergarten Readiness
Ages 4 to 5 years
Children must be 4 years old by December 1 to begin.
Often called “the year before kindergarten,” our Kindergarten Readiness program gives children the time, guidance, and experience they need to confidently take the next step into elementary school.
Many children who turn five in the late summer or fall benefit from an additional year of growth before entering kindergarten. This program provides that opportunity in a supportive environment where children can continue developing academically, socially, and emotionally.
Throughout the year, children are introduced to important kindergarten readiness skills in both reading and math. Students begin learning to identify beginning phonetic sounds and understand early math concepts through hands-on activities and guided instruction.
At Real Life Nursery School, we understand that readiness is about more than academics. True readiness includes two important elements: maturation and exposure.
Maturation refers to the natural developmental growth within each child. Children develop at different rates, and trying to push academic skills before a child is emotionally or physically ready can lead to frustration. Our teachers respect each child’s developmental timeline and provide encouragement without pressure.
Exposure is the other key part of readiness. Children grow when they are introduced to new experiences, ideas, and opportunities to practice emerging skills. Through carefully planned activities, classroom routines, and guided exploration, children gain the experiences they need to feel confident as learners.
Our teachers continually nurture each child’s readiness by encouraging curiosity, celebrating progress, and helping students master new skills at their own pace. Children are also given meaningful choices throughout the day, helping them develop independence, decision-making skills, and confidence.
At Real Life Nursery School, our Kindergarten Readiness program helps children like yours build the strong academic and social foundations they need for a successful transition into kindergarten.
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Kindergarten Readiness Program Overview
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Ages 4–5 (must be 4 by December 1)
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Designed as “the year before kindergarten”
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Early literacy and phonics development
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Introduction to foundational math concepts
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Hands-on learning and exploration
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Focus on emotional maturity and confidence
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Guided preparation for kindergarten success
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Part of our private preschool program in Canton, Michigan
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Unique learning experiences on our beloved petting farm
Kindergarten
Ages 5 to 6 years
Children must be 5 years old by December 1 to begin.
Our Kindergarten program provides children with a strong academic foundation, meaningful hands-on experiences, and a nurturing Christian environment as they prepare for the next stage of their education.
At this age, children are developing a greater ability to remember concepts and strategies they learn through experience. Because of this, our classroom provides plenty of time for exploration, experimentation, and discovery. Teachers carefully observe each student and use those observations to guide instruction, allowing the curriculum to meet the individual needs of every child.
Throughout the year, students are introduced to many of the skills that help build confident early readers and writers. Our program combines whole-class mini lessons with small-group reading instruction, allowing teachers to work closely with students while also building a strong classroom learning community.
Our kindergarten classroom is a print-rich learning environment where children are surrounded by letters, words, and examples of reading and writing throughout the day. Students regularly interact with classroom libraries, word walls, task cards, and displays of their own writing, helping them see themselves as capable readers and authors.
A Kindergarten Experience You Won’t Find Anywhere Else
One of the things that makes Real Life Nursery School and Kindergarten unique is our close connection with Real Life Farm, located right here on our property. Throughout the year, kindergarten students enjoy hands-on learning experiences that bring lessons to life through interaction with animals and nature.
These special farm experiences create memorable opportunities for children to explore science, responsibility, and the natural world in ways that simply cannot be replicated in a traditional classroom setting. Vital character traits like compassion, conscientiousness, and kindness are developed through hands-on care of baby animals. Our program gives your child a world of unique experiences that they will carry with them throughout life.
Building Character and Community
Academic preparation is only part of a kindergarten education. Our teachers also place strong emphasis on character development and social growth.
Throughout the school year, students learn how to work together, cooperate with classmates, and resolve conflicts in positive ways. Teachers model and reinforce important life skills such as sharing, turn-taking, patience, and self-control—helping children grow not only as students, but as thoughtful members of a community.
As a Christian school, values such as kindness, respect, gratitude, and compassion are naturally integrated into the daily life of the classroom.
Our Kindergarten Program Includes:
Hands-on experiences at Real Life Farm throughout the year
Christian values integrated throughout the school day
Curriculum aligned with Michigan Academic Standards
Daily small-group reading instruction
Daily writers workshop in small groups
A balanced approach including whole-group, small-group, and independent learning
Frequent peer interaction and collaborative activities
Three progress reports each school year to keep parents informed
Our kindergarten program has earned a strong reputation with Plymouth-Canton Community Schools, and many of our students transition smoothly and confidently into elementary school.
Why Families Choose Real Life Kindergarten
Families who enroll in our program are often looking for:
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A smaller, more personal learning environment
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A strong academic foundation
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Christian values and character development
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Hands-on experiences that make learning memorable
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A trusted program serving families in Canton, Michigan for generations
At Real Life Nursery School, our goal is to help every child grow in confidence, curiosity, and readiness for the exciting years of learning ahead.
Junior Day Camp
Summer Program for Ages 2½ to 6
Our Junior Day Camp is the perfect summer experience for younger children who love to explore, play, and spend time outdoors. Operated out of Real Life Nursery School in Canton, Michigan, this program provides a fun, safe, and active environment where children can enjoy the excitement of camp while still receiving the care and structure they need at this age.
Camp runs Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., providing convenient full-day care for busy families.
Each day is filled with engaging activities designed to keep children active, creative, and curious. Campers enjoy songs, group games, arts and crafts, swimming and water play, sandbox play, bike riding, dramatic play, animal care, horseback rides, hayrides, and picnics.
One of the highlights of our Junior Day Camp is our connection to Real Life Farm, located right on our property. Children have the opportunity to interact with farm animals and experience nature in ways that most camps simply cannot offer.
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Campers ages 3–6 visit the farm every day for activities such as animal care and horseback rides.
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Our youngest campers (ages 2½–3) travel to the farm every other day. On days they remain at the school, they enjoy water play and outdoor activities on the playground.
Individual class schedules are shared with families so parents know which days their child’s class will travel to the farm.
Throughout the day, children enjoy a balance of structured activities, outdoor play, rest time, and opportunities to explore with friends. Our experienced staff works hard to create a fun, welcoming camp environment where children can build friendships, try new activities, and enjoy the excitement of summer.
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A Typical Day at Junior Camp
6:30–9:00 a.m.
Arrival, morning snack, and supervised choice-time activities
9:00–11:30 a.m.
Group time, attendance, camp songs, introduction of the weekly theme, crafts, and farm activities including horseback riding, animal care, hiking in the woods, playground play, and hayrides back to the school
11:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Wash up and prepare for lunch
12:00–1:00 p.m.
Lunch
1:00–3:00 p.m.
Rest time for campers ages 2½–4 (quiet music and books on CD)
1:00–2:15 p.m.
Rest time for campers ages 4–6 (quiet music and books on CD)
2:15–4:00 p.m.
Afternoon activities including optional water play, bike riding, sandbox play, group games, and afternoon snack on the playground
4:00–5:30 p.m.
Change from swimsuits, story time, and outdoor playground play
5:30–6:00 p.m.
Indoor choice time until pickup
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Junior Day Camp is a wonderful introduction to the excitement of summer camp for younger children. Families appreciate the combination of caring staff, engaging activities, and the unique opportunity for children to interact with animals and explore the outdoors through our connection with Real Life Farm.
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Summer Day Camp for Older Children
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For many children, Junior Camp becomes the first step in a summer tradition. As campers grow older, they often continue the adventure by joining our Summer Day Camp at Real Life Farm for ages 5–14, where they enjoy even more outdoor activities, farm experiences, and memorable summer adventures.
If you have older children, this program provides summer child care for your whole family, all in one place.
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You may have noticed that our Junior Camp program runs through age 6 while our regular Summer Day Camp starts at age 5. This allows you to choose which program will be best suited for your child's developmental needs. While the Junior Camp provides structured, teacher-guided activities throughout the day, the regular Summer Day Camp offers more self-selected activities, free play, and outdoor exploring in a safe and supervised environment. Feel free to choose whichever program seems best suited for your growing five- or six-year-old.