Child Development Lab

About

This program is located at Rockford High School and teaches preschoolers to become successful learners through cooperative experiences, problem solving and play, while training high school students enrolled in child development and life skills classes to become potential educators. Preschool children have many opportunities to learn independence, make decisions, develop creativity, and practice social and kindergarten readiness skills. The activities are planned with care using the High Scope curriculum. This quality approach to early childhood education has been developed through research and practice over 50 years in Ypsilanti, MI. Children must be 3 or 4 by September 1 of the current school year and completely independent in the bathroom.

3-year-old class runs Tuesday/Thursday 9-11:30 AM or 12:30-3 PM

4-year-old class runs Monday/Wednesday/Friday 9-11:30 AM or 12:30-3 PM

Registration for Half-Day Preschool Programs for the 2026–2027 school year will open on February 25th at 6:00 PM.

How to Register:

  1. Create an account on our registration site: Rockford Public Schools Preschool & Child Care

  2. Visit the registration website on February 25th at 6:00 PM and follow the on-screen instructions to complete your application.


3 -Year-Old Tuesday/Thursday Classes

  • Total tuition $1150 less $200 registration deposit = $950. 
  • The non-refundable deposit is applied to the total cost of tuition.
Tuition Due Date
Amount Due
September 1
$237.50
November 1
$237.50
January 1 
$237.50
March 1
$237.50


4-Year-Old Monday/Wednesday/Friday Classes

  • Total tuition $1700 less $200 registration deposit = $1500. 
  • The non-refundable deposit is applied to the total cost of tuition.
Tuition Due DateAmount Due
September 1$375
November 1$375
January 1$375
March 1$375


Registration for Half-Day Preschool Programs for the 2026–2027 school year will open on February 25th at 6:00 PM.

How to Register:

  1. Create an account on our registration site: Rockford Public Schools Preschool & Child Care

  2. Visit the registration website on February 25th at 6:00 PM and follow the on-screen instructions to complete your application.


Important Dates

  • February 13-16, 2026- No School, Mid-Winter Break
  • February 26, 2026- Family-Teacher Conferences
  • February 27, 2026- No School, Family-Teacher Conferences
  • April 2-10, 2026- No School, Spring Break
  • April 13, 2026-School Resumes

Child Development Lab Preschool

Missy Baines
Assistant Director of Child Care & Preschool Services
Jennifer Wackerle
Administrative Assistant
Sarah Grove
Lead Teacher