Latest news with #PreKforAll
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Michigan's Pre-K for All hits all 10 quality marks for 8th year: MiLEAP reports
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)– (MiLEAP) announced that Michigan's PreK for All program has reached all 10 quality benchmarks for the 8th year. Michigan is one of five states to meet all 10 of the National Institute for Early Education's quality benchmarks for PreK. According to the mission statement, the quality standards research provides data-driven information that identifies what factors contribute to high-quality early education and the barriers to achieving high-quality early education. 'Every child deserves access to a high-quality education, and I am proud that Michigan's PreK for All program has yet again been recognized as a top program nationwide,' said Governor Whitmer in a news release to 6 News. 'All Michigan four-year-olds are eligible to enroll in free, high-quality PreK, giving them a solid academic foundation while saving their families $10,000 per year. I will continue to work with anyone to set up more of our kids for lifelong success by making strategic investments in early learning.' The Great Start Readiness Program is the state's main PreK for All program that also includes Head Start, developmental kindergarten, and early education. 'We are proud that Michigan's Great Start Readiness Program is one of only 5 states to meet top benchmarks for quality,' said Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea, director of MiLEAP in a news release sent to 6 News. 'Early learning experiences are critical to children's development and success. MiLEAP is committed to working with partners across the state to expand access to PreK for All and maintain the highest standards for quality.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Whitmer says record pre-K enrollment will save Michigan families $10K per year
Governor Gretchen Whitmer, speaking at Livonia Early Childhood Center, where she announced that Michigan has achieved record PreK enrollment. March 12, 2025. Submitted photo. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says Michigan families will save an estimated $10,000 per year in child care costs after the state achieved record PreK for All enrollment. Whitmer, making the announcement Wednesday at the Livonia Early Childhood Center, said enrollment in the Great Start Readiness Program, or GSRP, the state's primary PreK program, is up 24% since she unveiled the PreK for All initiative in 2023. 'This school year, a record number of children are enrolled in no-cost, high-quality PreK programs across the state, saving Michigan $475 million,' said Whitmer. 'Today, 56% of Michigan's 4-year-olds are enrolled in free preK, and in this year's budget, we can build on this momentum to set up more kids for lifelong success and save even more families more money.' According to a press release from the Governor's office, preliminary reports to the state from intermediate school districts indicate more than 47,500 4-year-olds are enrolled in GSRP programs in the 2024-25 school year. That includes students in Head Start, developmental kindergarten and early childhood special education. In addition to creating a foundation for children to be successful in school and work, a recent analysis by the W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research found that for every dollar spent on PreK for All, $1.72 in total economic benefits is created in Michigan. Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea is the director of the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential, or MiLEAP. 'We know how important early learning experiences are to children's development and success, which is why MiLEAP is working with partners across the state to expand access to PreK for All,' she said. 'PreK not only benefits 4-year-olds, it also benefits our economy as families can work or go to school knowing their children are safe and learning.' Enrollment in PreK for All is now open to all families, no matter their income, for the 2025-26 school year for children who will be 4-years-old by Dec. 1, 2025. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Governor Whitmer announces record enrollment for PreK students in Michigan
LANSING, Mich. (FOX 2) - The cost of childcare and early education can really be a grind, especially for families living paycheck to paycheck in Michigan. That's why Governor Gretchen Whitmer is touting her free 'PreK for All' program, which has seen increased enrollment over two years. Big picture view Whitmer was reading to preschoolers at Livonia's Early Childhood Center on Wednesday. After story time, she announced the latest data on Michigan's free 'PreK for All,' a program she established two years ago to improve accessibility for children and families. "Enrollment in Michigan's free PreK Program has reached 47,500, which is the highest we've been in over a decade," she said. By the numbers According to Whitmer, that's 56% of Michigan's 4-year-olds now enrolled in the Great Start Readiness Program, with the overall goal of 70%. Tonya Blake was also speaking at the event, saying the program has been a lifesaver for her grandson. "It's a free program," Blake said. "He attends four full days of school per week. We wouldn't have been able to afford it on our own." It's estimated that free PreK saves parents on average around $10,000 a year. Governor Whitmer is looking forward to expanding the program. It's listed in her budget plan, which is now in the hands of state lawmakers. "We want them to take advantage of this opportunity because kids who are ready for kindergarten excel when they get to school instead of learning the basics," she said. "That's why we made this investment. It's making a difference in kids' lives and families' lives, and you can save a lot of money too." What you can do If you're a family that needs some help, there's still time and space for you to get your child enrolled in that free PreK Program. You can learn more about it on the Michigan website. The Source FOX 2 used information from the Michigan website and attended the PreK event in Livonia.
