GSRP offering free preschool in the fall. 

GSRP offering free preschool in the fall. 

West Shore School News is a presentation of West Shore Educational Service District in partnership with Mason County Press and Oceana County Press. 

Preschool programs at Baldwin Community School, Hart Public Schools, Ludington Area School District, Mason County Central Public Schools (Victory Early Childhood Center), Mason County Eastern Public Schools, Pentwater Public Schools, Walkerville Public Schools, Oaktree Academy and Small Wonders Development Center are now accepting applications for fall enrollment in the nationally-ranked free Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP). The GSRP program, administered by West Shore Educational Service District, serves children of families who meet the income guidelines or other qualifying factors. Families with children who turn 4-years-old by Dec. 1, 2022 may apply. 

All GSRP classes offer a full day schedule Monday through Thursday with the exception of Pentwater, which offers a full day schedule Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Most locations offer transportation. All GSRP programs exceed state requirements for safety and quality and are rated by Michigan’s Great Start to Quality rating system. 

Under the current income guidelines, a family of four earning up to $69,375 a year is eligible for the program and some tuition spots are available. View the current GSRP income guidelines for additional information. Children who have a qualifying Individualized Education Plan (IEP), children who are experiencing homelessness, or children in foster care are also eligible regardless of income.

Research has shown 90% of brain development happens by age 5. The GSRP program helps children develop through quality interactions and active play-based learning with other children. Program directors at each location may answer questions.

Besides recruiting more children, the program is looking for additional teachers who hold a child development associate credential or degree in early childhood. Interested candidates can learn more by contacting Brenda Vronko at bvronko@wsesd.org.

To apply to the GSRP program, visit https://tinyurl.com/wsesdGSRP or call one of the 10 locations in Mason, Lake, and Oceana counties. If you don’t know which location to call, call 231-898-1541. Parents will need documentation of their household income, child’s date of birth, and family’s address to submit their application. 

Families looking for tuition-based preschool or additional preschool options can begin their search by visiting www.greatstarttoquality.org. 

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