Great Start Readiness Program
Great Start Readiness Program – GSRP
What is GSRP?
GSRP is Michigan’s state-funded preschool program for 4-year-old children to support school readiness for parents and children.
Free High-Quality Preschool in Wexford, Missaukee and Manistee Counties
Why Preschool?
Children who attend a high-quality program in the year or two before kindergarten are better prepared for school academically, socially and emotionally.
Free high-quality preschool programs are available in most school districts with teachers who are highly qualified and skilled in working with young learners. Programs are frequently monitored and evaluated to promote continuous quality improvement.
We have a collaboration of school districts and community partners that offer Head Start (Federally Funded) and Great Start (State Funded) preschool programs in our area that serve families with low to moderate incomes. All the partner agencies are committed to supporting families and ensuring that every child enters kindergarten ready to learn. All these programs offer a high-quality educational preschool experience through a play-based curriculum.
What is a Play-Based Curriculum?
Our local GSRP and Head Start program all use the Creative Curriculum. It is a play-based curriculum that focuses on eight domains: Language development, Literacy, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Creative Arts, Social and Emotional Development, and Physical Health and Development. Creative Curriculum for Preschool is a scientifically-based curriculum with a GOLD Assessment System to measure each child’s progress and make program improvements. Creative Curriculum is a play-based curriculum which means that children have the opportunity to choose activities which they find interesting and fun. At the same time, teachers have intentionally planned these activities knowing what children will learn as they interact with the materials in the classroom.
Eligibility & Enrollment State & Federal Guidelines:
For Great Start Readiness Programs: Preferential enrollment will prioritize lower income, higher risk factor students first. Children who are 4 on or before September 1 will also be prioritized for GSRP. After all other children are enrolled, some children with less risk factors and higher income will be accepted as well as younger children who will be 4 by December 1. The GSRP program prioritizes children whose family income is between 100-250% of poverty federal poverty guidelines. An example would be a family of 4 with an income of up to $62,750 a year may qualify. You can check income eligibility guidelines on the MDE/GSRP Website.
For Head Start Programs: Many of the same rules apply with Head Start, however, Head Start can accept children who are 3 and 4 years old, and they prioritize families whose income is 0-100% of the federal poverty guidelines. An example would be a family of 4 with an income up to $25,100.
Tuition spots for GSRP will be considered only if unable to fill free spots by September.
Transportation provided for most districts.
Special needs children are encouraged to apply.
Enrollment application information contacts
Overview of GSRP from Michigan Department of Education
GSRP Administrative Contact:
Paris Philo pphilo@wmisd.org
231-876-2217