The early learning your child receives both at home and in preschool is important because 90% of a child’s brain develops by age five. Supporting early learning before starting kindergarten is vital for how your child’s brain develops.
A good preschool program helps your child want to learn more about their world. This builds their character and could spark a life-long love of learning.
Preschool programs help children enter school ready to succeed with:
Michigan offers a variety of preschool options, including some free and low cost programs to help children learn. You can search Great Start to Quality to find preschools in your area.
The Head Start preschool program was created to give children, age three to five years old, a free early learning program that prepares them to be ready to succeed in school and later in life. Teaching takes place in a classroom within your community.
Head Start will work with you to make sure your child’s specific needs are being met in the classroom and at home. Staff and teachers are trained to help provide families with extra support all at no cost to you, including:
Children in Michigan who are 3 or 4 by either September 1st or December 1st, depending on your local school district. Available for families who meet the income requirements. Check with your local ISD for details and how to apply.
To apply, you will need:
The Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) is Michigan’s free PreK program for eligible four-year-olds. Ranked #1 in the U.S., it’s a safe place where children learn how to get along with others, share, take turns, and make friends. Math, reading, and thinking skills are taught every day through fun, hands-on activities. GSRP will help make sure your child is ready for kindergarten and beyond.
Kindergarten teachers have found that kids who went to GSRP preschool:
The majority of Michigan children who turn 4 by September 1st are eligible. Michigan children who turn 4 by December 1st are also eligible when space is available.
To apply, you will need:
Talking, reading, singing, and playing on a daily basis helps your preschooler learn. Encouraging independence and problem solving leads to success in school and later in life. Get access to resources and activities you can do at home with your child.
Build Up provides extra support for children, ages 3 – 5, who are not meeting milestones or are struggling to learn. Intervening as early as possible can in many cases resolve, or at least limit, a child's roadblock to learning. Build Up can help you find the help you and your child need.
