GREDC

Discovery Care

Discovery Care is our out-of-school time program and summer care program for grades K-5. During the school year, meaningful experiences are provided for children enrolled at the Child Discovery Center for before and after school, half days, and days the school is not in session. During the summer, the program is open to the public.

Discovery Care's logo.
Logo designed by Discovery Care student, Grace.

Welcome to Discovery Care

Discovery Care offers nurturing, Reggio-inspired before- and after-school care for Kindergarten through 5th grade students at our partner school, the Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center (GRCDC). We also provide full-day and half-day care during school closures, including teacher planning days, professional development, and most holidays.

During aftercare, our dedicated team picks children up directly from their classrooms and escorts them to their grade-level Discovery groups. Each afternoon includes a nutritious snack to keep kids energized and smiling.

Program Hours

Before-School Care
Monday-Friday | 7:00 – 8:00 AM

After-School Care
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday | 3:30 – 6:00 PM
Tuesday | 2:30 – 6:00 PM

Half-Day Care
11:30 AM – 6:00 PM | on scheduled early release days

Full-Day Care
7:00 AM – 6:00 PM | on most school closure days

Note: Half-Day and Full-Day Care require separate registration. Priority is given to families whose children are already enrolled on the day of the closure. Others will be placed on a wait list as space allows.

Tuition

See the Tuition Section for current rates and payment details

Summer Program

Looking for a fun, enriching summer experience for your child? Discovery Care welcomes students who have completed Kindergarten through 5th grade to join our vibrant, hands-on summer program.

What We Offer

Each week is packed with engaging activities that spark curiosity and creativity:

  • Field trips to local destinations
  • Reading enrichment and literacy games
  • Exploration in the arts and sciences
  • Water play days — don’t forget a swimsuit, towel, and water-friendly shoes

Program Hours

  • Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Breakfast and snacks are provided daily
  • Please pack a lunch and water bottle for your child each day

Summer Tuition

  • $210/week per child
  • $46/day per child

We can’t wait to welcome your child for a summer full of learning, laughter, and adventure.

Enrollment

To enroll in either the school-year or summer program, please contact:

Jen Brynaert

Discovery Care Director
Discovery Care
GSRP Immaginare
Know More

Jen Brynaert

Discovery Care Director
Discovery Care
GSRP Immaginare

As the Program Director at our 409 Lafayette location, I manage the school aged before and aftercare program, community summer care program, and the Immaginare preschool program.

I have my B.A. in education, and have taught preschool, middle and high school English and art, and have been an early childhood educational coach. I am a mom of 2 teen boys, and love travel, music, art and family.

I enjoy the creative freedom that the Reggio approach provides to both children and staff alike. It continues to challenge and expand our ideas on the many possibilities of early childhood education.

Sneak peak into Discovery Care

Andrew draws.
Students hug Ms. Annika.
Hattie has found a BIG leaf!
Hazel's paints a picture using her favorite colors.
Reading books.
Teacher helps Discovery student reach the top of the playground tower.
Playing baby shark.
IMG_6152
Kindergarten students make believe in the playground boat.
Kindergarten students read a book.
Discovery Care students collect colorful leaves.
Mara crafts with fall leaves.
MJ conducts a science experiment.
Discovery Care student climb atop their teacher.
Student Paddy leads book time.
Discovery Care students paint using spices.
Violet and Stella pose next to their craft house

Meet the teachers

Self Portrait

Annika Nixon

Self Portrait

Becca Hansen

Self Portrait

Aaron Farr

Self Portrait

Emerson Atwood

Self Portrait

Khalil McSwain

Self Portrait

Amelia Reed

Self Portrait

Kamren DeFever

Self Portrait

Kristen Basiaga

Self Portrait

Jonas Heyne

Tuition Rates

2025-2026 School Year

MDHHS funding is available for those who qualify.

Before care:

$8.30/day
$37/full week

7-8am

After care:

$17/day M/W/Th/F
$24/day Tuesday
$89/full week

3:30-6pm M/W/Th/F
2:30-6pm Tuesday

Before and after care:

$124/week

Half day*:

$32/day

11:30am-6pm

Full day*:

$56/day

7am-6pm

*Half and full day care is available on days when GRCDC is closed due to planning, professional development, and most holidays. Separate registration is required for those days. Families who normally receive before or after care on those days have priority, followed by all other families until full.

Important Dates

2025-2026 School Year

  • Aug 18 – First day of school
  • Aug 22- half day of care offered
  • Aug 29 – Full day of care offered
  • Sept 1 – CLOSED for Labor Day
  • Sept 29 – Full day of care offered
  • Oct 9-10 – Full days of care offered
  • Oct 31 – Full day of care offered
  • Nov 25 – Half day of care offered
  • Nov 26- CLOSED for staff PD
  • Nov 27-28 – CLOSED for Thanksgiving
  • Dec 19 – Half day of care offered
  • Dec 22-23 – Full day of care offered
  • Dec 24-Jan 1 – CLOSED for winter break
  • Jan 2 – Full day of care offered
  • Jan 5 – Full day of care offered
  • Jan 19 – CLOSED for MLK Day
  • Feb 6 – Full day of care offered
  • Feb 16-17 – Full day of care offered
  • Feb 27 – CLOSED for staff PD
  • Mar 20 – Full day of care offered
  • Apr 1-3 – Full day of care offered
  • Apr 6-10 – CLOSED for spring break
  • May 22 – CLOSED for staff PD
  • May 25 – CLOSED for Memorial Day
  • Jun 03 – Half day of care offered. Last day of school.
  • Jun 4-5 CLOSED for summer reset
  • Jun 8 – First day of SUMMER CARE
  • Jun 19 – CLOSED for Juneteenth

Lauren Huyck

Mentor Teacher

B.S in psychology and writing
A.A. in early childhood education
Teaching since 2010

My name is Lauren Huyck and I am the afternoon lead for the Scoperta classroom. I started as a teaching assistant when the center was still part of Aquinas in 2010. When we became the GREDC in 2012, I stayed on. In 2014, I was excited to accept the role of lead teacher.

I have a Bachelors in psychology and writing, and an associates in early childhood education. I am currently working on getting a Masters in psychology with a concentration in child development.

I love seeing the children grow and learn. There are so many developmental milestones that I get to see and experience. I fell in love with the Reggio approach and work to incorporate it in all my experiences with children. It has definitely taught me to treat children as citizens of the world.

I honestly could go on about how much I love the work I do and how passionate I feel about every child having quality care but that would take eons. So I will end with these two quotes:

“To take children seriously is to value them for who they are right now rather than adults-in-the-making.”

Alfie Kohn

If you trust play, you will not have to control your child’s development as much. Play will raise the child in ways you can never imagine.

Vince Gowmon