Wayne RESA is inviting eligible families in Detroit and across Wayne County to enroll their 4-year-old children in no-cost preschool through the Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP), a state-funded program that serves nearly 9,000 children through the county annually.
Wayne RESA has worked with partners to open nearly 150 new preschool classrooms county-wide since GSRP expansion was passed by the Michigan legislature in July 2021. The program has seen a steady increase in classrooms and enrollment over the last four years. This year, Wayne RESA will be supporting the opening of more than 60 new GSRP classrooms with 43 of those classrooms located in the City of Detroit. This expansion will allow GSRP to serve an additional 1,000 children during the 2022-23 school year.
“Research shows that children who engage in high-quality early childhood education demonstrate significant positive developmental differences when compared to children of the same background who did not attend a preschool program,” said Wayne RESA Superintendent Dr. Daveda Colbert. “We encourage eligible families across Wayne County to take advantage of this no-cost program and set their child on a path to educational and development growth in the years to come.”
With additional funding from the 2022-23 School Aid Budget, GSRP will see a per-child increase from $8,700 to $9,135 to support an increase in teacher pay and ensure high-quality environments and resources for young children. This year, translation services will be available to families enrolling their child by calling or texting 313-410-4588.
As part of this year’s growth in GSRP, Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) is opening 17 new classrooms throughout Detroit to better service families in the area by providing more equitable and inclusive access to the program.
“DPSCD is excited to continue to increase access to pre-K seats throughout the District. We know that the earlier students start school not only will they be more prepared academically but socially as well. What makes DPSCD’s pre-K program unique is that we hire only certified teachers and use a curriculum that prepares students for future grade level standards,” shared Dr. Nikolai Vitti, Superintendent, Detroit Public Schools Community District.
Administered by the Michigan Department of Education, GSRP is a state-funded preschool program for 4-year-olds that provides early education to young children who, due to income limitations, may not otherwise have access. Over the last two academic years, Wayne RESA has been able to use the state’s investment in the program to work with new and existing partners within public-school districts, public-school academies and community-based organizations to provide high-quality early childhood education to an additional 2,631 four-year-old children by adding 149 GRSP classrooms throughout Wayne County.
“For more than 25 years the GSRP program has been providing Dearborn students with a positive start to their school experience. We’ve seen the difference the GSRP program can make and the value it adds. Currently, we have 535 students enrolled in the program with openings for several more students and I encourage parents to take advantage of this outstanding program by enrolling their child now for the 2022-23 school year,” shared Dr. Glenn M. Maleyko, Superintendent, Dearborn Public Schools.
It’s not too late for families to enroll. Please call or text the Help Me Grow hotline at 313-410-4588 or visit FindFreePreschool.org for help finding the nearest program site and assistance with the enrollment process.
For more information on the Great Start Readiness Program and Wayne RESA, please visit https://www.resa.net/.
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