Early Childhood Programs target children from infancy through pre-school.

2024-2025 Applications are now available

Programs are:

• Child Care Center
• Early Head Start
• Head Start

Program Overview

All classrooms are staffed by a Full-Time Instructor, who is supported by full-time and part-time aides. All classrooms follow the Creative Curriculum; expose children to Ojibwe teachings, and Anishinaabemowin (our Ojibwe language). Children also receive nutritious meals.

Children receive these services in a safe, nurturing, educational, culturally-appropriate setting. Our classrooms provide children with activities that help them grow mentally, socially, emotionally and physically. Services are offered to meet the special needs of children with disabilities.

Child Care Center

Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians Child Care Center is a licensed child care center that offers high quality infant through pre-school age care. It is located at 4 Ice Circle and is open from 6:45 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The Child Care Center is open to all tribal families, tribal employees, and surrounding community members. However, priority for enrollment in the Child Care Center is given to Tribal Members who are need of full time child care. Families can apply for subsidized child care through the Department of Human Services and Anishnabek and Community Family Services to assist in paying for the cost of care.

The center has an agreement with the Tribal Head Start program to provide care for children enrolled in the Head Start and Early Head Start program from 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., parents assume the cost of before and after care for the extended care services that are provided to children enrolled in either Head Start or Early Head Start. As a result of this partnership all children receive the same educational services as children attending Head Start or Early Head Start, see program descriptions and eligibility requirements below.

For more information regarding the Child Care Center and cost for services please call 906‑632‑5258.

Early Head Start

Early Head Start is a federal program for infants and toddlers from low-income families. Early Head Start provides high quality child and family development services. The center based program serves 34 children and is located at 4 Ice Circle, Sault Ste. Marie, MI. Children are provided healthy meals and snacks.

The program is open to infants, toddler's ages 0-3 years. Eligibility requirements: Applicants must meet federal income guidelines and preference given to members of a federally recognized tribe.

For more information, please call 906‑635‑7722

Head Start

Head Start is a federal program for preschool children from low-income families. Head Start provides high quality child and family development services. Head Start serves 80 children with locations at 4 Ice Circle, Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., and 225 WaSeh, St. Ignace, Mich. Head Start provides breakfast, lunch and limited bus transportation.

The Sault Ste. Marie program provides part-day, part-year classrooms that operate September through May and the Sault Tribe Child Care Center offers a full-day, full-year classroom. St. Ignace is an extended day program offering 7-hour sessions September through June, Monday through Thursday.

Head Start strives to ensure that its children are prepared to enter elementary school ready to learn and succeed. At Head Start, children socialize, solve problems and learn other experiences that help them become self-confident and successful in life.

Head Start Eligibility: Children must be 3 years old by Dec. 1 of each school year. Applicants must meet federal income guidelines and preference is given to members of a federally recognized tribe.

For more information, please call 906‑635‑7722.

Parents are key participants in Head Start/Early Head Start.

We encourage parents, family members and community members to become a part of our volunteer team.

They can participate in the classroom setting, help teachers prepare classroom activities and set up field trips. Parents are involved in committees that help staff form policies and procedures that impact their children and the program. Head Start/Early Head Start promotes parents as the child's "First Teacher."