Michigan Sees 65% surge in PreK for All Applications as Enrollment Hits Record High
Enrollment now open for free PreK that saves families $14,000 per year in child care costs
LANSING, Mich. – Demand for Michigan’s PreK for All programs continues to grow, with Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) applications for the 2026-27 school year up 65% compared to this time last year. More than 36,000 applications have already been submitted for GSRP, the state’s primary PreK for All program – an increase of 14,000 over spring 2025, according to preliminary reports from intermediate school districts.
Statewide enrollment has also reached an all-time high, with over 55,000 children currently participating in GSRP, more than double the number served in 2021.
The Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) highlighted these milestones today at the Kentwood Public Schools Early Childhood Center while encouraging families with children who will be 4 years old by Dec. 1, 2026 to enroll for the upcoming school year.
“We’re excited to see more Michigan families recognizing the value of the high-quality early learning opportunities,” said Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea, director of MiLEAP. “The continued growth in applications and enrollment reflects the impact PreK for All is making across our state by helping children prepare for kindergarten, strengthening early literacy skills and saving families thousands of dollars in child care expenses. We encourage all families with 4-year-olds to take advantage of these opportunities and sign up today.”
PreK for All is available at no cost to Michigan families regardless of income level, saving them an estimated $14,000 per year on child care costs. Programs are available in a variety of settings across the state, including GSRP, Head Start, developmental kindergarten and early childhood special education. Part-time and full-time options are available, with transportation offered in some communities.
For the ninth consecutive year, Michigan’s GSRP has met all 10 national quality benchmarks established by the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER), placing the state among just six states in the nation to achieve this distinction.
“Children who start ahead stay ahead,” said Emily Laidlaw, MiLEAP deputy director overseeing the Office of Early Education. “Michigan’s PreK for All initiative is nationally recognized for providing high-quality early learning experiences that prepare children to thrive in school and beyond. These programs help children build critical social and emotional skills as well as early reading, science, and math, setting them on a path toward long-term success.”
Educators say the combination of high‑quality PreK, early literacy support and family-focused policies is improving outcomes for Michigan children.
“High-quality PreK means that families can go to work each day knowing their child is in a safe environment with caring adults,” said Teressa Gatza, director of early childhood at Kentwood Public Schools in Kentwood. “This program has made such a positive difference for our district, and we’re grateful to MiLEAP for prioritizing this important initiative for our students.”
“Every day, I witness firsthand the tremendous impact PreK for All has on my students,” said Alanna LaMay, the GSRP lead teacher at Kentwood Public Schools. “Nurturing relationships and stimulating early childhood learning experiences in PreK build a strong foundation for future growth, development and success.”
Parents say they’re seeing the same kinds of gains at home.
“Attending PreK has helped my child Skylar tremendously,” said Christie Cobbson, a PreK for All parent in the Grand Rapids area. “I can see a massive difference in her growth because of PreK for All. I highly recommend all families with 4-year-olds sign up for a program near them today.”
Business leaders emphasize that PreK for All and child care economic infrastructure are essential to developing Michigan’s future workforce.
“Reliable early education and childcare are core components of a strong economy," said Christine Simon, vice president of government affairs at the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce. "When families have access to high-quality, affordable places for their children to go, parents can stay in the workforce and employers benefit from retaining their talent. These investments strengthen Michigan's ability to recruit top talent, while supporting businesses across every sector.”
These investments are part of Michigan’s broader effort to strengthen early learning and ensure more children enter school ready to read and succeed.
Michigan also supports low-income working families by providing access to low or no-cost early learning and afterschool programs through the Child Development and Care (CDC) Scholarship, which recently reached record participation. As of March 2026, the CDC Scholarship serves 47,548 children from 28,857 families through partnerships with 6,325 child care businesses statewide.
The state’s Every Child Reads initiative focuses on helping children build the foundational language and reading skills needed for long‑term success by aligning early literacy expectations across PreK programs, improving educator training, and expanding access to high‑quality early learning environments.
Families with children who will be 4 years old by Dec. 1 are encouraged to enroll now for the upcoming school year. To find a program near you and apply, visit MiPreKforAll.org.
Watch the full press conference here: MiLEAP Facebook Page
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 Left to right: Christie Cobbson, PreK for All parent; Alanna LaMay, Great Start Readiness Program Lead Teacher, Kentwood Public Schools;Teressa Gatza, director of Early Childhood, Kentwood Public Schools; Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea, MiLEAP director; Emily Laidlaw deputy director overseeing MiLEAP's Office of Early Education
 Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea, Director, MiLEAP
 Emily Laidlaw, Deputy Director of Early Education, MiLEAP
 Teressa Gatza, director of Early Childhood, Kentwood Public Schools
 Alanna LaMay, Great Start Readiness Program Lead Teacher, Kentwood Public Schools
 Christie Cobbson, PreK for All parent
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.
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