Every parent wants to set their kids up for success in life. Did you know you can get a leg up on education and set them on their path to success as early as preschool? If your young ones are reaching toddler age, it’s time to think about the next steps. At The Breakie Bunch Learning Center, we’re proud to offer a safe learning environment, excellent teachers, and our new GSRP program for free preschool.
What is GSRP?
GSRP, or the Great Start Readiness Program, is Michigan’s nationally recognized free preschool program funded by the state. To qualify, your child must have turned four before December 1st and not yet been to kindergarten. The curriculum of math, reading, thinking skills, and general socialization is designed to help kiddos build academic skills, independence, and confidence before moving on to the next stage of schooling.
What You Need to Know About GSRP Classes:
When your children attend a GSRP preschool, they’ll experience:
- Classrooms with a minimum 10 to 1 student-teacher ratio
- Provided meals and snacks throughout the day
- Programs that run five full days a week
- Teachers have relevant degrees and training
- 9 am to 4 pm scheduling
How is GSRP Free?
When hearing about free preschool, it’s only right to feel a little skeptical. It almost seems too good to be true! The funding for GSRP, which comes directly from the School Aid budget, is overseen by the Michigan Department of Education. That money is then allocated to specific school districts, which review applications and administer the program throughout their community.
What is Our GSRP Curriculum?
The GSRP uses a child-centered approach called Creative Curriculum. This research-based program focuses on building children’s creativity, confidence, and critical thinking skills through hands-on play and project-based investigations.
The day-to-day goals and standards include:
- Nurturing the whole child
- Building early literacy and language skills
- Developing an understanding of math
- Encouraging individualized instruction and exploration
- Harnessing the power of play
Is My Child Eligible for GSRP?
For your child to qualify for a GSRP preschool, they must have turned four years old by December 1st of the upcoming school year. Currently, most families have access to free PreK through GSRP, although priority is given to lower-income families who fall at or below the 400% federal poverty limit, which is approximately $128,000 per year for a family of four. If you aren’t sure of their eligibility, you can always contact the school district or preschool program to confirm – in our experience, almost everyone qualifies.
How to Apply for a GSRP Class at The Breakie Bunch
If you live near our Waterford location, consider applying today! If you’re applying through the state, they will likely need to see your child’s birth certificate, income receipts like pay stubs or taxes, and proof of residency. For those who prefer to apply directly at our learning centers, please don’t hesitate to contact us to learn about the next steps in the process—and get a fun tour of the facility while you’re at it!
Now that you have the inside scoop on GSRP preschooling, we hope you feel empowered as parents to decide if it’s the right step for your kiddos. We hope your little one will feel right at home in our state-funded free preschool program at The Breakie Bunch Learning Center!