Set Your Child Up for Success – for Free!
A quality pre-kindergarten (PreK) experience lays a strong foundation for your child's success in school and beyond. It offers fun, engaging ways to explore early math, science, and literacy, while also helping children develop essential social and emotional skills in a supportive environment where everyone can learn and grow together.
Thanks to Michigan’s PreK for All initiative, families have access to multiple free, high-quality PreK programs, including the Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) and Head Start.
GSRP gives priority to families at or below 400% of the federal poverty level, which is about $128,000 for a family of four.
What is GSRP?
GSRP stands for the Great Start Readiness Program, a state-funded preschool program in Michigan. It is designed for children who are four years old or will be four by December 1st of the current year.
This free Pre-K program is available to eligible families and focuses on preparing children for kindergarten by building important social skills, encouraging sharing, and helping children make friends. GSRP classrooms are known for providing high-quality instruction in a nurturing and supportive environment.
GSRP Class will be 8AM - 3PM Monday through Thursday.
Qualifications for GSRP:
Your child must be 4 by September 1 of the school year
Consideration for children who turn 4 between September 2 & December 1 will take place after September 1
You must live in Berrien County
Families from neighboring counties can apply, but must complete a Cross County Prior Approval form
While income is not an eligibility criteria, it is used to prioritize enrollment, based on the chart below
If you qualify for Head Start, you must apply there first - Please contact Flowers Early Learning at flowersearlylearning.org or 1-800-792-0366
Please note: Acceptance into a GSRP classroom does not guarantee that you will be accepted into that school's Kindergarten or Young 5’s program - you will have to follow the process or school of choice process per school. All referrals for speech or special education services are required to be held with your local resident school district.
What you need to provide:
If you qualify for GSRP, you’ll need to provide the following documents to be considered for enrollment. Enrollment doesn’t happen on a first come first served basis. Enrollment looks at income and risk factors to place children into the classrooms per State of Michigan requirements for GSRP, and pending state-approved GSRP budget.
Turn in the following items with your application packet:
❏ Proof of Age: Such as a Birth Certificate, passport, immigration record or baptismal certificate
❏ Proof of Income: Such as work earnings (W-2, tax return, or check stubs), child support, unemployment, SSI, cash assistance and any other proof of income
❏ Proof of Residency: Such as driver’s license, rent receipt, utility bill, letter from shelter or host if between homes
❏ If your child has an IEP (Individual Education Plan) please include a copy
❏ Completed copy of the Health and Immunization form (included in this packet): To be completed prior to your child starting GSRP. This document will be completed from your child’s doctor’s office or your county health department where your child was immunized/vaccinated.
GSRP Eligibility Determination (Child Intake Form)
