Great Start Readiness Program

Great Start Readiness Program – GSRP

The Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) is Michigan’s state-funded preschool program for four-year-olds. The program is administered by the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) and is free to families who meet certain age and income guidelines. GSRP uses developmentally appropriate practices in a play-based curriculum with the goal of preparing children to successfully enter kindergarten.  

How do I enroll?  All families should apply for free preschool. Most families qualify and the families that do not are supported to find other tuition based options. To fill out the preschool interest form for FREE preschool in our ISD serving Wexford-Missaukee & Northern Osceola Counties. and find out more about local resources for families go to Help Me Grow Wexford Missaukee.

Here is a youtube video about Help Me Grow (Michigan).

Why should you consider a high-quality preschool for your child?     Research on preschool programs and specific research on GSRP indicates that children provided with a high-quality preschool experience show significant positive developmental differences when compared to children from the same backgrounds who did not attend a high-quality preschool program. High-quality GSRP programs prepare children to be successful in Kindergarten and throughout life.

Where are our programs located?  The Wexford Missaukee ISD and the Manistee ISD are a consortium providing Great Start Readiness Programs (GSRP) throughout Wexford, Missaukee and Manistee counties. The Wexford Missaukee ISD serves as the fiscal and administrative agent for the Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) preschool grant with full-day GSRP classrooms located in all districts in the Wexford Missaukee ISD service area. (GSRP Sites)

Who can we serve?  The State of Michigan through the Department of Education (MDE) funds Intermediate School Districts (ISDs) as GSRP grantees to serve age-eligible students within their ISD borders. ISDs must follow state guidelines which are provided by MDE. The Wexford Missaukee Intermediate School District (WMISD) is responsible for ensuring that local programs providing GSRP preschool services meet state guidelines and provide the highest quality programming possible.  

Who is eligible to attend GSRP? Children will need to meet age and income eligibility. GSRP can only serve children who are 4 years old or will be 4 by Dec 1st. Families must be at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) and receive prioritization based on eligibility factors such as: 

  • Diagnosed disability or developmental delay

  • Severe or challenging behavior

  • Primary home language other than English

  • Parent/guardian who did not graduate from high school

  • Abuse/neglect of child or parent

  • Environmental risks such as parental loss due to death, divorce, incarceration, military service, or absence

Here is a youtube video about Help Me Grow (Michigan).

Helpful resources about early childhood education

Local Information and Data

First 10 Pilot- Click the QR code to learn more this grant and read teacher/parent testimonial for Top 10 PreK & Kindergarten Transition Books.

QR code for First 10 Pilot

Contact Information:

Wexford Missaukee Early Childhood Contact 

These materials were developed under a grant awarded by the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential. (MiLEAP)