Battle Creek preschool creates culturally affirming foundation for kindergarten

At New Harvest Christian Center’s preschool program, kindergarten readiness extends beyond learning letters, numbers, and classroom routines. According to Pastor Ivan Lee, head of school, the program’s approach centers on building a culturally affirming environment where students and families feel seen, supported, and connected before children ever enter elementary school.

Now in its 10th year, the preschool has become a trusted space for many families in the Battle Creek community, particularly African American families seeking an early learning environment where students are nurtured academically, socially, and emotionally.

“When you see someone from your own culture, it kind of eases those pressures,” Lee says. “It makes it easier for us to have conversations, especially when it comes to resources or issues that the children may be having. It sounds more like family.” 

New Harvest’s work also aligns with broader efforts across the Battle Creek community to strengthen early childhood education and kindergarten readiness. In recent years, Battle Creek Public Schools has reported significant gains in kindergarten readiness rates, with community-wide initiatives helping increase readiness among incoming students. 

Building a culturally affirming early learning community

Lee says the sense of belonging begins with relationships between families themselves. Over time, the preschool has cultivated a strong referral network, with parents often encouraging friends and relatives to enroll their children long before they are old enough to attend.

“Our referral tree is very strong,” Lee says. “Before she even gives birth, she’s talking about bringing her child to our school because of her sister or friend who had their child here and loved the school.” 

That familiarity and trust often continue as children transition into kindergarten. Lee says many students move into elementary school alongside classmates they already know, helping reduce anxiety and strengthen confidence during a major educational transition.

Within the classroom, the preschool uses the HighScope Preschool Curriculum, which emphasizes child-led learning and encourages teachers to build instruction around students’ interests and experiences.

“Whatever interest they’re in, the teacher teaches based on their interests,” says Lee. 

The HighScope approach aligns with broader early childhood efforts throughout Michigan that emphasize hands-on learning, social-emotional development, and kindergarten readiness through consistent routines and developmentally appropriate instruction. 

The preschool also works intentionally to create culturally affirming experiences for families. The school hosts events such as Black history programs, winter festivals, and field trips that encourage high levels of family participation.

“We do pay for the kids and the parents to attend, and so we get a good turnout,” Lee says. “All of that works together to build a culture for us that helps promote the program.” 

That community-centered model also includes helping families access additional resources and support systems, particularly for parents navigating early childhood education for the first time.

“There’s a lot of times where they’re first-time parents and trying to figure things out,” Lee says. “We have people in place that kind of help navigate them through those spaces.” 

Preparing students socially and emotionally for kindergarten

Lee says many of the preschool’s strongest outcomes are tied to students’ social and emotional development.

“I think most of them are more prepared socially and emotionally,” Lee says. “They learn structure, transitions, and how to interact with other kids their age.” 

Research and local data continue to show that kindergarten readiness extends beyond academic skills alone. Social-emotional development, relationship building, communication skills, and familiarity with classroom routines all play a critical role in helping young learners successfully transition into school settings. 

According to the National Association for the Education of Young Children, helping young learners build familiarity with routines, transitions, classroom expectations, and peer interactions is an important component of kindergarten readiness and long-term school success. At New Harvest Preschool, students gradually learn how to navigate structured schedules, group activities, and classroom expectations in ways that feel supportive rather than overwhelming.

“The biggest part of our day is structure,” Lee says. “Knowing when it’s time to line up, understanding transitions — those are big for smaller kids.” 

Teachers receive ongoing support through coaching partnerships with the Calhoun Intermediate School District and the state’s Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP). Lee says instructional coaches regularly observe classrooms, provide curriculum guidance, and support teachers with social-emotional learning strategies.

“We get quite a bit of coaching,” Lee says. “They observe, they give advice, and they help them perform better.” 

Michigan’s GSRP continues to serve as a key component of the state’s broader PreK for All initiative, which aims to expand access to free, high-quality early childhood education for 4-year-olds across Michigan. Through GSRP, programs like New Harvest Preschool help children build the academic, social-emotional, and developmental skills needed for long-term success in school while increasing access for families who may have previously faced barriers to early learning opportunities.

Lee says the preschool also prioritizes hiring and developing educators who reflect the communities they serve. Some parents have even been encouraged to pursue degrees and eventually become teachers themselves.

“We’ve recruited parents to be teachers and put them on the path of higher education to make them qualified to teach classes in the future,” Lee says. 

For Lee, one of the program’s greatest strengths is the environment of familiarity and trust it creates for children and families alike.

“Having a school where the families look like you and teachers look like you really does make a big impact,” Lee says. “Not just for the kids, but for the parents as well.”

Photos by John Grap.

Early Education Matters shares how Michigan parents, child care providers, and early childhood educators are working together to create more early education opportunities for all little Michiganders. It is made possible with funding from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.