Harbor Springs
Childcare Programs
Contact Information
Director
Sadie Riley-Flemming
Assistant Director
Vicky Ryba
Office
231-526-4656
Harbor Springs High School
421 E. Lake Street
Harbor Springs, MI 49740
*We are often in a classroom or floating around the center. For quicker response time please email*
Join the Waitlist
Currently, all of our classrooms have a waitlist. Our waitlist is based on chronological order and your child’s position on the list may fluctuate as children age and move to the next classroom’s list. We do give priority to children who have siblings already in our program, children enrolled in Blackbird’s Preschool program, and to HSPS teaching staff children. As soon as a spot becomes available we will contact the first person on the list via phone call and/or email.
Important Policies, Links, and Forms
Welcome!
Blackbird Child Care is a service provided by the Harbor Springs School District. The program provides child care services for children infants through 7 years of age. Children receive care and learning experiences in high quality, safe environments. Programming is based upon developmentally appropriate practice with a diverse team of caregivers and teachers. Blackbird Child Care Center is led by a program director who is part of the leadership team of Harbor Springs Public Schools.
BBCCC is open Monday-Friday from 7:30 AM – 6 PM. We serve families with children 6 weeks – 7 years old (1st grade). BBCCC is also the home of Blackbird Preschool, a half-day, M-Th, GSRP and tuition based preschool, The Harborage, a M-F School-Age program, and Camp Harbor, a M-F summer program for rising 2nd-6th graders.
We are located in the Blackbird Elementary School at 421 East Lake Street, Harbor Springs, Michigan 49740. Our main phone number is 231.526.4656
BBCCC is licensed through the State of Michigan for 130 children. We are also participants in the Great Start to Quality Star Rating program, and partners with Char-Em Intermediate School District
Childcare Announcements
ADVANCE NOTICE OF TERMITICIDE-INSECTICIDE TREATMENT
Attention: Parents/Guardians of children attending Blackbird Elementary and Childcare Center: Please be advised that Phantom Termiticide-Insecticide will be applied on the baseboards throughout Blackbird Elementary
2022 Summer Enrollment
Summer is approaching quickly, which means it is time to start thinking about summer enrollment! Summer session will start June 13 and goes through August
Donation Sale
Toys–Furniture–Books Saturday, April 30th from 11am to 4pmBlackbird Elementary Gym (421 E. Lake St. Harbor Springs) Blackbird Child Care Center will be hosting its first
Childcare Scholarships Available
Scholarships are available to assist with the cost of child care for both Blackbird Childcare Center and The Harborage. Applications are considered four times throughout
Thank you to our generous contributors to the Blackbird Child Care Center Scholarship Fund!
The Van Andel Foundation Hestia Women’s Giving Circle St. John’s Community Fund William and Louise T. Harrison Fund Susan S. Ford – Triford Foundation Mr.
Our Core Values
Quality
We believe every child deserves a high-quality care and learning environment, caring and loving caregivers, and experience based on developmentally appropriate practices.
Respect
We believe that respecting each individual child and family, honoring uniqueness, and valuing diversity is the foundation of relationship building and the success of our program.
Learning
We believe in providing children with play-based learning experiences based upon observation, exploration, and experimentation. Learning happens in the context of the classroom, the playground, and beyond.
Community
We believe that working together results in a better environment for children to learn and grow in, for families to engage in, and for staff to grow and develop in.
Our Vision
All children learning and growing in a setting of joy, kindness, and warmth that ensures families know their children are safe and cared for and assures the community feels confident and secure in the services provided by Blackbird Child Care.
Our Mission
To provide all children access to quality early learning and care experiences in a safe, caring, fun environment. Supporting the growth and development of children through opportunities to explore, experiment, and learn. Communicating openly and honestly with families and engaging the community we serve.
Our Philosophy
At Blackbird Child Care we believe all children deserve a safe and nurturing environment that supports development and learning. The environment is set up to encourage active engagement in learning through evidence-based, developmentally appropriate experiences. The program is structured to provide a routine that engages children and supports their unique, individual needs and sets them up for success socially, emotionally, physically, and cognitively. The materials provided are age appropriate and intended to spark interest and challenge.
Positive relationships among all are encouraged and supported. Children and families feel welcome, staff are warm, friendly, and engaging, and children are encouraged to work and play together. Teachers and caregivers use knowledge of child development and observation to prepare and implement developmentally appropriate experiences. Families are respected as a child’s first teachers and their input and feedback is encouraged and used to guide program growth and innovation.
