April 22, 2026
LANSING, Mich. – Michigan is once again leading the nation in early childhood education, earning top marks for quality and consistency in its PreK for All initiative for nearly a decade.
For the ninth year in a row, Michigan’s Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) has met all 10 quality benchmarks established by the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER), placing it among just six states in the nation to achieve this distinction. GSRP is the state’s primary PreK for All program.
“Every kid deserves a strong start, and we’re making Michigan a national leader for PreK,” said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. “For nine consecutive years, our Great Start Readiness Program has been recognized as one of the best in the country. Thanks to our bipartisan work and historic investments, we delivered PreK for All and are now serving 55,000 kids thanks to one of the largest enrollment increases in the country. PreK for All saves families $14,000 a year and helps more kids walk into kindergarten ready to learn, grow, and read. Let’s keep working together to deliver bright futures for our kids.”
The recognition, released in NIEER’s 2025 State of Preschool Yearbook reflects Michigan’s sustained focus on providing high-quality early learning experiences that prepare children for success in school and beyond.
This commitment is evident in the state’s continued expansion of PreK for All. Last month, the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement and Potential (MiLEAP) and Governor Whitmer announced nearly 55,000 children enrolled in GSRP statewide since January 2026 – the highest enrollment in the program’s history and more than double the number of children served since 2021. State investment has also grown significantly, totaling more than $652 million, a 22% increase, with spending per child rising to $13,604.
These investments support Michigan’s Every Child Reads strategy by increasing access to evidence-based reading instruction, strengthening educator training and providing extra help so all students start kindergarten prepared to thrive.
“The growth we’re seeing across Michigan’s early learning system is the result of intentional support and a sustained commitment to quality,” said Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea, MiLEAP director. “As we look to build on this success, we will continue to support early childhood educators, ensure families have access to the programs they need, and uphold the highest standards for the programs that serve our youngest Michiganders. This recognition underscores that commitment and the strong partnerships across the state that make this work possible.”
NIEER’s benchmarks measure key indicators of quality, including teacher qualifications, small class sizes, strong early learning standards, and ongoing program assessment. Only a handful of states meet all 10 benchmarks each year, placing Michigan among national leaders in delivering high-quality early learning.
“Michigan’s progress towards PreK for All should be applauded,” said NIEER Director Steve Barnett. “The state had one of the largest enrollment increases in the country this year while maintaining its commitment to providing a high-quality program. We look forward to seeing Michigan’s continued progress and hope to see similar opportunities expand to three-year-olds.”
“Michigan is on its way toward achieving its PreK for All goal,” said Allison Friedman-Krauss, lead author of the report. “The state is making meaningful progress in both access and quality and is poised to become a national model.”
Michigan’s PreK for All initiative continues to expand access to free, high-quality prekindergarten for all four-year-olds, regardless of income. PreK for All helps children build critical early learning skills and can save families an estimated $14,000 per year, while also delivering long-term economic benefits for the state.
“More four-year-olds than ever are enrolling in PreK for All, and we’re doing it without cutting quality,” said Emily Laidlaw, deputy director at MiLEAP overseeing the Office of Early Education. “Our work continues to meet all 10 national quality standards, showing that we can expand access while still giving kids a strong start. When we focus on both, we’re building a system that lasts.”
Enrollment for the 2026-27 school year is now open for children who will be four years old by December 1. Families can visit MiPreKforAll.org to find programs that meet their needs.
###
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:
