January 13, 2026
LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) has awarded $9.7 million in Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) Start Up Grants to open or expand 246 PreK classrooms across the state. This funding continues Michigan’s commitment to expanding access to free, high-quality PreK, helping more families find safe, affordable early learning options that meet their needs.
“Every kid deserves a great education, from PreK through postsecondary,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “I am proud that we are seeing record enrollment in our free, high-quality PreK for All programs across the state, saving families $14,000 a year. With today’s $9.7 million investment, we will help open and expand 246 PreK classrooms, supporting even more local programs and educators so they can help thousands more children successfully prepare for kindergarten. I’ll work with anyone who’s ready to build on our progress and continue delivering free PreK for all.”
“Thanks to Governor Whitmer’s and the Legislature’s continued investment in early education, Michigan is reaching more children than ever before,” said Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea, director of MiLEAP. “Our state’s FY26 state budget included a $10 million investment in GSRP Start Up Grants, and we’re proud to see those resources at work, helping early educators and programs build the capacity needed to serve more children and families so students can thrive in kindergarten and beyond.”
Grants were awarded to support both new and expanding classrooms. New classrooms received $40,000 each, while expanding classrooms received $17,900 each. Funds may be used for key priorities, including recruiting, hiring and licensing classroom educators; improving or expanding classroom spaces; creating outreach materials to connect eligible families with available classrooms; and strengthening the quality of learning in each new or expanded classroom.
“These grants provide the resources local programs need to open new classrooms, hire and train skilled staff, and create high-quality learning environments,” said Emily Laidlaw, deputy director overseeing the Office of Early Education at MiLEAP. “It’s about the nuts-and-bolts work that allows educators to do their jobs, helping families access safe and affordable opportunities and ensuring more children across Michigan can start school ready to succeed.”
“Many providers have shared that the cost of opening new classrooms is a significant barrier to expanding PreK for All. Start-up funding has proven to be a powerful strategy for addressing this challenge and expanding capacity to serve more children,” said Dawn Koger, director of Early Childhood at Oakland Schools. “This year, Oakland Schools is investing in 47 new and five expanded classrooms, helping partners cover essential upfront costs such as classroom materials, facility improvements, and professional learning for educators. As a result, we are able to serve approximately 1,800 more Oakland County children than last school year. This important investment is supporting programs by offsetting upfront costs and ensuring more families have access to high-quality PreK options.”
“The GSRP Start Up grant has made a substantial impact on the growth of PreK for All in Macomb County,” said JoAnne Elkin, GSRP Grant administrator for the Macomb Intermediate School District. “This funding has allowed us to continue county wide expansion and open 33 new classrooms and expand seven classrooms. Our partners have used the funds to build high-quality, developmentally appropriate learning environments through well-equipped classrooms that foster cognitive growth, social-emotional skills, and support all domains of development. Additionally, Start up funds have been used for facility improvements and to provide professional teacher training focusing on evidence-based practices, foundational literacy components aligned with the Science of Reading, and curriculum and assessment. The early years of a child’s educational experiences shape their future, and we are pleased with the state’s continued investment and solid commitment to high-quality PreK programming for all young learners and families.”
MiLEAP remains committed to ensuring that every child has access to safe, high-quality, no-cost PreK. By supporting local programs, educators, and communities, these Start Up Grants help lay the foundation for lifelong learning, school readiness and opportunity for Michigan’s children. Families looking to find a program near them and learn more about eligibility can visit MiPreKforAll.org.
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About MiLEAP:
Established by Governor Whitmer in 2023, MiLEAP’s mission is to improve outcomes from birth to postsecondary so anyone can ‘make it in Michigan’ with a solid education and a path to a good-paying job. To learn more about MiLEAP, go to Michigan.gov/MiLEAP.Media Contact:
