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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 12, 2025 Contact: [email protected] Gov. Whitmer Announces Record PreK Enrollment, Saving Michigan Families $10,000 Per Year Enrollment now open for free, high-quality PreK for All for 2025-2026 school year LANSING, Mich. – Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that Michigan has achieved record PreK enrollment in the current school year, saving families an estimated $475 million per year. Enrollment in the Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP), the state’s primary PreK program, is up 24% since the Governor announced the PreK for All initiative in 2023. The announcement was made during an event held at Livonia Early Childhood Center. “PreK for All gives kids the strong foundation they need to thrive in kindergarten while also saving families $10,000 a year,” said Governor Whitmer. “This school year, a record number of children are enrolled in no-cost, high-quality PreK programs across the state, saving Michigan $475 million. Today, 56% of Michigan’s four-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. Let’s get it done.” “As a dad of three, I know just how important it is for all our kids to get a great start so they can build a bright future,” said Lieutenant Governor Gilchrist. “Thanks to the hard work of preK providers across Michigan and our record, bipartisan investments in preK, we have saved families an average of $10,000 each while ensuring every four-year-old has access to the high-quality early education they deserve. Together, let’s keep finding ways to help families succeed in Michigan.” “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,” said Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea, director of MiLEAP. “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. PreK enrollment is open now for the 2025-26 school year and families can find programs that meet their unique needs at MiPreKforAll.org.” “Our high-quality educators give our youngest learners a strong PreK education, helping children to be successful in kindergarten and beyond,” said Andrea Oquist, Superintendent of Livonia Public Schools. “Livonia Public Schools is dedicated to providing developmentally appropriate activity-based programs to our students in our brand-new state of the art Early Childhood Center. Families in our area interested in learning more should contact us today.” More than 47,500 four-year-olds are enrolled in GSRP programs in the 2024-25 school year, according to preliminary reports to the state from intermediate school districts. Through all PreK for All programs, which includes Head Start, developmental kindergarten and early childhood special education, Michigan is serving 56% of four-year-olds in free high-quality PreK programming. PreK helps ensure children are ready to thrive when they enter kindergarten, and it sets children up for long-term success by providing the foundation they need to be successful in school and work. In addition to the benefits for children and their development, free PreK saves families an estimated $10,000 per year. A recent analysis found that for every dollar spent on PreK for All, it creates $1.72 in total economic benefits for our state. Enrollment in PreK for All is now open for the 2025-26 school year for children who will be 4-years-old by Dec. 1, 2025. PreK for All is open to all families, no matter their income, while prioritizing those who need it most. Families can visit MiPreKforAll.org to find programs near them that meet their unique needs.
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