Whitmer says record pre-K enrollment will save Michigan families $10K per year 

BY JON KING, MICHIGAN ADVANCE

MICHIGAN—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.

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This coverage was republished from Michigan Advance pursuant to a Creative Commons license.