Who we are: a licensed, play-based co-op preschool in Ann Arbor
Glacier Way exists to help you and your child develop a love for school — together.
At Glacier Way Co-op Preschool, we want your preschooler to form a love for school and learning that will endure through grade school and beyond.
We’re a cooperative (‘co-op’) three-day-a-week school in Ann Arbor for families with children age 3 - 5. This means parents and caregivers are hands-on in the classroom and play a small role in running the school.
We’re here to spark creativity, curiosity, and social-emotional growth for young children, together with their family.
Learn more about the role parents play in our preschool.
A co-op that brings families together
Glacier Way Co-op Preschool provides a unique play-based opportunity for both kids and caregivers: adults shape and participate in their child’s learning, and build connections with other families.
You’ll find us in a tree-filled historic neighborhood on the west side of Ann Arbor. Our classroom is nestled within the building of West Side Methodist Church (we aren’t connected to the church, but they’re a great host).
Glacier Way Co-op Preschool is licensed in the state of Michigan. The school has no religious affiliation.
Meet our teacher: Amber Bowman
“It’s my priority to create a nurturing environment, celebrating the unique learning journey of each child.”
Our teacher, Amber Bowman, sets the curriculum and directs the classroom. She has a Bachelor of Music degree and K-12 teacher certification from Western Michigan University, with continuing education on early childhood development. She has a combined 15+ years teaching experience at schools across the state.
Her background in music allows her to weave music and rhythm into every day. You’ll hear her strumming her ukulele to lead everyone in singing the Hello Song at the start of Circle Time!
Ms. Bowman strives to be attuned to each child’s individual feelings and needs, while leading the entire class to play, explore, and be curious together.
What parents say about Ms. Bowman
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"Very often Ms. Bowman will make up these music games that help kids move their body, and feel more relaxed and concentrated. Everyone participates!"
-Glacier Way parent
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"She truly cares for children and wants them to be seen and heard, like how she made coloring sheets with their individual names. That is thoughtfulness and inclusion at its best."
-Glacier Way parent
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“Ms. Bowman’s approach is gentle and kind which brings a comforting atmosphere to the classroom. Now my child looks forward to going to school.”
-Glacier Way parent
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"She is supremely creative and clever...the activities, crafts, and music she comes up with, and the way she ties it all into themes... is simply amazing."
-Glacier Way parent
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"I love her gentleness. She hands every situation from a place of compassion and she fosters that in the kids."
-Glacier Way parent
A space designed for kids to thrive
We believe ages 3 - 5 are a critical time for parents to be involved in their child’s social and emotional development, building autonomy and a love of learning for years ahead.
Everything about our physical space and our daily schedule is designed with those goals in mind, from the way kids enter the room to how we’ve carved out spaces for both dramatic/creative play as well as quiet/focus time.
Read about a typical day at Glacier Way, or take a virtual tour of our space.
Every family has a place at Glacier Way
While Glacier Way is rooted on the west side of Ann Arbor, our school serves families all over town. We’re a diverse, inclusive community looking for more families to join our school.
We are small business owners, work-from-home moms, stay-at-home dads, and live-in grandparents. This year, our families collectively speak four different languages at home. One family just moved from across the country. Another from across the world.
Our core values
These core values inform everything from our curriculum to our classroom space to our parent engagement, and help us maintain a safe environment for everybody to grow and learn — together.
Play
Play-based learning opens minds, builds sensory/motor development, and fosters friendship and connection.
How PLAY comes to life in our school:
our huge collection of crafts, activities, props, and costumes rotates daily or weekly!
we all join together in music, dance, and movement every day
we go outside to play on our private, fenced-in playground every day (if the weather is crummy, we have an indoor gross-motor play space)
Curiosity
We explore the rich, ever-changing world around us and ask questions about why things are the way they are.
How CURIOSITY comes to life in our school:
we wonder what happens if you plant a pumpkin seed inside a pumpkin and water it daily
we take field trips to explore new places, like orchards and fire stations
we learn about democratic process by voting on our favorite things
Creativity
How CREATIVITY comes to life in our school:
we repurpose found objects like apples and pinecones into paint stamps
we dye rice to make our own giant rainbow sensory table
we feed the storytelling part of our brains each day with a new book
We spark kids to build, make, and create.
Social-Emotional Growth
We promote attunement to our own feelings and support healthy connection with each others.
How SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL GROWTH comes to life in our school:
snack time is served family style so everyone takes turn serving each other
we practice personal space and boundaries when sitting in Circle Time
our teacher gently guides children to identify feelings and try nervous-system-regulating techniques
Autonomy
We help kids start to develop a strong executive function, which will carry them through grade school and beyond.
How AUTONOMY comes to life in our school:
the centerpiece of each day is Free Choice, when parents and teacher support each child’s curiosity, desires, and expression
everything in our classroom is organized and accessible in labeled bins for kids to explore on their own
the first thing a child does when arriving each day is to set belongings in their own personal cubbie and boot mat
Parent Involvement
Kids soar when caregivers are playful, curious, and creative alongside children. (Also, our school runs efficiently, and families make meaningful connections with each other!)
How PARENT INVOLVEMENT comes to life in our school:
each day, two or more parents/caregivers volunteer as ‘assist parents’
parents often stay to participate in opening Circle Time or arrive early at playground pick up to play and socialize
each family is given an opportunity to own something related to our school’s operation, like making our homemade play dough or planning field trips
Collectively, these values help us create an enduring love of learning in young children, and support them to make choices to engage with each other and the world around them.
We’d love to help your child and family grow. Click here to learn about our enrollment process.
Want to see what a typical day looks like at Glacier Way? Visit our Kids’ Experience page.
Our Commitment to Non-Discrimination
Glacier Way Cooperative Preschool does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations.
These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of students and volunteers, and provision of services.
We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, students, and volunteers.
Why is Glacier Way named Glacier Way?
While the historic west side of Ann Arbor might be in a floodplain left by glacial movement long ago, the school is not named for such geological formations. Nor is it located on Glazier Way drive on the northeast side of town.
Glacier Way simply refers to a former location for the school. The name stuck, and the preschool is celebrating it’s 50th anniversary in 2025!
We’d love to get to know you
Ultimately, the spirit of a co-op school is made up of the families that belong to it! If your values and goals align with Glacier Way’s, we’d love to meet you and help you plug in to our school.
Find ways to speak with someone on our contact us page, or take a tour of our space — virtual or physical — here.
Another way to learn more is to read about the kids’ experience and parent/caregiver experience to help understand if Glacier Way is right for you.
Interested in joining us for the upcoming semester?