What Eligible Children Get at The Grove

A child whose tuition is covered through Get Kids Ready joins the same Half-Day Preschool program as every other child enrolled. That means the same teachers, curriculum, and outdoor classroom.

The same teachers

Every teacher at The Grove holds at least the minimum early childhood education certifications, and many have an associate degree or higher. Every teacher completes a DCF background check with fingerprinting, plus a work physical and TB test. Before working with children, teachers complete SIDS, Abusive Head Trauma, and Mandated Reporter training, and they complete Pediatric CPR and First Aid within 30 days of hire.

Learning doesn’t stop once teachers are hired. They complete continuing education in early childhood every year, and many go beyond the minimum.

The same curriculum

The Grove develops its curriculum in-house. It is based on the Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards (WMELS). In everyday terms, WMELS are Wisconsin’s model standards for early learning, and the Half-Day Preschool curriculum is aligned with them across all domains. The Grove also brings in Reggio Emilia and Montessori teaching practices.

What does that look like day-to-day? The Grove is child-centered and interest-led, rather than tied to rigid themed lesson plans. Teachers balance structure with open-ended learning. A question about changing leaves can become a walk in the woods and a conversation about the seasons.

The Grove’s philosophy is that children learn through active exploration and sensory-rich, hands-on activities. Interacting with their environment builds curiosity, critical thinking, problem-solving, and independence. The focus is the whole child: academic, social, emotional, and physical growth.

The same 2.5 acres

The Grove sits on 2.5 acres of woods, trails, and outdoor classroom space. Outdoor learning is where much of the teaching happens, not a reward at the end of the day. Children in Half-Day Preschool go outside year-round with proper gear, and The Grove provides rain suits.

Outside, children find trails, forts and grass huts built by the children, a mud kitchen, water play, sandboxes, sensory and science tables, and a working garden, along with plenty of loose parts to build and imagine with.

The same learning areas

Indoors, The Grove has seven learning areas: the Art Center, the Manipulative Center, the Sensory Center, STEM, the Dramatic Play Center, Cooking, and Large Motor Activities. Together with the outdoor classroom, they give children many ways to explore, create, and practice new skills.

The same small group

Each Half-Day Preschool session is capped at 10 children.

How the Half-Day Program Works

Here are the basics of the program Get Kids Ready families join:

• Who it’s for: potty-trained 3- and 4-year-olds, with free tuition available for eligible 4-year-olds through Get Kids Ready
• When it meets: Monday to Thursday, 8:00 to 11:30 AM, with no session on Fridays
• Calendar: follows the Unity School District calendar, including holidays, in-service days, and weather closures
• Class size: a maximum of 10 children per session
• Enrollment: open now, and children can start anytime

Pairing Free Preschool With Full-Day Care

A common worry about half-day preschool is what happens after 11:30 AM. For many working families, a morning program doesn’t cover the full workday.

At The Grove, families using Get Kids Ready keep access to extended full-day care on the same campus. The Grove is open Monday to Friday, 5:30 AM to 5:30 PM. If your family needs care beyond the preschool session, or on days the half-day program doesn’t meet your needs, ask The Grove how full-day care can fit your schedule.

For a closer look at how the two options differ, see our comparison of half-day and full-day preschool.

Help With the Application

Get Kids Ready requires an application, and The Grove helps families with it. You don’t have to work through it on your own.

How to Find Out If Your Child Qualifies

We don’t list eligibility criteria here. The Grove can tell you whether your child may qualify and help you apply.

When you reach out, it helps to have a few questions ready:

• Could my child be eligible for Get Kids Ready?
• What do I need to complete the application?
• When could my child start the Half-Day Preschool session?
• If we need care beyond the morning session, how does full-day care work?
• If my child isn’t eligible, what other payment assistance does The Grove accept?

That last question is worth asking. The Grove accepts Wisconsin Shares, tribal subsidies, and MN Childcare Assistance. 

Why Families Choose The Grove

Free tuition opens the door, but families also want to know the place is right for their child. Here’s what The Grove offers.

A licensed, rated center. The Grove is fully licensed by DCF and holds a 3-star YoungStar rating. It is on track for 4 stars next year.

A secure building. The front door opens by key fob, and all other visitors ring a doorbell and check in at the office. Security cameras cover every classroom, hallway, the parking lot, and the playgrounds.

Clear sign-in and sign-out. Parents sign children in and out on Brightwheel, and teachers also sign children in and out on classroom clipboards.

An open door for parents. Parents are welcome to observe their child’s classroom from the conference room.

A partnership with families. The Grove’s mission is to nurture young minds in a safe, stimulating environment that builds creativity and a love of learning, and to partner with families to guide each child’s development. The goal is to raise confident, enthusiastic lifelong learners.

Support for every child. The Grove does everything it can to accommodate all children, and the process is different for each child and family.

A Free Morning, Rooted in Care

Get Kids Ready makes it possible for eligible 4-year-olds to attend half-day preschool at The Grove without paying tuition. They learn with the same teachers, follow the same WMELS-aligned curriculum, and explore the same 2.5 acres as every other child in the program.

If your child is four, find out whether they qualify. The Grove will help with the application.

Ask About Get Kids Ready and Schedule a Tour

The best way to learn about Get Kids Ready is to visit. Most tours take about 30 minutes. Book your tour of The Grove, and ask about Get Kids Ready. You can also learn more about the Half-Day Preschool program in Milltown.