Preschool for 3 and 4 year olds

Free or Low-Cost Preschool Options

Enrolling your child in preschool will help them succeed in grade school, high school – and in life!  In fact, over 85% of all brain development happens in the first 5 years of life. Your child deserves the chance to grow and thrive, starting right now.

Great Start to Quality

Great Start to Quality helps Michigan families find quality child care, preschool and early childhood education in their area.  Please visit the Great Start to Quality website for more information on Education, Star Ratings on Centers, etc.  

https://www.greatstarttoquality.org/

Three Year Olds (children who are 3 by September 1st of current year):

Three Year Old Scholarship:

The Three Year Old Scholarship Program is a year-round program that provides scholarships for 3 year olds from low income families with the greatest number of risk factors. Complete an application at www.mychildneedspreschool.com and make sure to click the Three Year Old Scholarship box!

Head Start:

Head Start is a preschool program for parents that is funded by the federal government. It provides comprehensive services for families including quality preschool at various locations in our area for families that earn up to 100% of the federal poverty level in terms of annual income. Locally, Head Start is operated by Community Action. Complete an application at https://www.miecc.org/MiECC/Application/Add/13

Four Year Olds (children who are 4 by Sept 1st of current year):

Great Start Readiness Program:

is a state-funded program for families who make up to 250% of the federal poverty level in terms of annual income. Locally, GSRP is administered by the Great Start to Readiness Program within the Calhoun County Intermediate School District.

GSRP is a 4 day per week classroom-based experience which begins the third week of September and continues through mid-May. It helps to prepare children for kindergarten. At least 90% of children in GSRP programs across the county must live in families with income at or below 250% of the poverty level. GSRP help children get ready for school, increases attendance and reduces the number of children who repeat a grade by almost one-half. GSRP classrooms use the HighScope curriculum. Most of our GSRP classrooms are school day but a few part-day classrooms are available. Complete an application at www.mychildneedspreschool.com

Head Start:

Head Start is a preschool program for parents that is funded by the federal government. It provides quality preschool services at various locations in our area for families that earn up to 100% of the federal poverty level in terms of annual income. Locally, Head Start is operated by Community Action.

Head Start is a comprehensive preschool program that also provides access to oral and physical health services, and social services. Every Head Start program has a health manager, often a nurse, to complete any missing components of the required physical exam. Head Start also conducts screenings and provides follow-up with nutrition, socialization, and mental health counseling. Complete an application at www.mychildneedspreschool.com