August 19, 2026
LANSING, Mich. – Nearly 53,000 Michigan children have applied to the Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) as of July 2026, marking a record level of participation for this point in the year and a 15.7% increase from July 2025. Applications have grown by nearly 4,700 children since the previous month, reflecting continued demand for free, high-quality PreK across Michigan.
The Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) highlighted the application growth today during a virtual press conference. This growth is part of the state’s continued work to expand access to high-quality early learning and encourage families with 4-year-olds to enroll for the upcoming school year. PreK for All is available at no cost to Michigan families regardless of income and can save families an estimated $14,000 per year in child care costs.
"We are proud of the statewide effort to see more families across Michigan choosing high-quality PreK for their children,” said Emily Laidlaw, MiLEAP deputy director overseeing the Office of Early Education. “PreK for All gives children the opportunity to build the social, academic, and early literacy skills they need for success in kindergarten and beyond, while providing families with meaningful relief from the cost of child care. We encourage every Michigan family with a 4-year-old to explore their local PreK options and enroll today."
GSRP is Michigan’s primary state-funded PreK program for 4-year-olds and a key part of the PreK for All initiative. PreK for All also includes Head Start, developmental kindergarten and early childhood special education options, providing families with a range of high-quality early learning opportunities.
"Children who start ahead stay ahead," said Synthia Britton, interim deputy director of MiLEAP’s Office of Early Education. "High-quality PreK helps children develop the foundational skills they need to succeed in school, from early reading and language development to math, science, and social-emotional skills. These early experiences help put children on a path toward lifelong success.”
PreK for All is also a key part of Michigan’s Every Child Reads initiative, which recognizes that the foundation for literacy begins well before children enter kindergarten. High-quality early learning experiences help children develop language, early literacy and other foundational skills that prepare them to become successful readers.
“High-quality PreK means families can go to work knowing their child is in a safe, nurturing environment with caring adults who support their growth and development,” said JoAnne Elkin, early childhood, early literacy consultant at the Macomb Intermediate School District. “This initiative has made such a lasting, positive impact on our district and for the students we serve across Macomb County.”
"Every day, I witness firsthand the tremendous impact high-quality PreK has on my students," said Cammie Noeker, PreK teacher at Head Start for Kent County. "Early literacy is so important, and PreK for All has an enormous impact on a child’s ability to read and learn, setting them up for success far beyond their time in school."
For families, PreK for All provides both educational and financial benefits. Programs are available in a variety of settings across Michigan, with part-time and full-time options and transportation available in some communities.
“My son, Niko, will begin PreK in September, and he couldn’t be more excited,” said Jordan Ewert, a PreK for All parent in Wayne County. “His time in PreK will help expand his social and academic skills, so he’s ready to learn when he enters kindergarten. As a parent, I’m looking forward to seeing all of his growth throughout his time in the program.”
"PreK for All has made such a positive difference for my child, Daniel," said Rachel Wamsley, a PreK for All parent in Ottawa County. “Daniel experienced tremendous growth during the program, and it made the transition to kindergarten incredibly smooth. I highly recommend all families with 4-year-olds to sign up and take advantage of these incredible programs."
Michigan has continued to expand PreK access while maintaining high quality. For the ninth consecutive year, GSRP has met all 10 national quality benchmarks established by the National Institute for Early Education Research, placing Michigan among a small group of states achieving that distinction.
Enrollment is now open for the 2026-27 school year. Families with children who will be 4 years old by Dec. 1, 2026 can explore available programs and begin the enrollment process at MiPreKforAll.org.
###
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:
