Governor Whitmer Header
*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*
August 26, 2024
Contact:
[email protected]
*Gov. Whitmer, MiLEAP Encourage Families to Enroll 4-Year-Olds Now in Pre-K *
"Free High-Quality Pre-K Now Available for All Michigan 4-year-olds"
*LANSING, Mich. — *Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea, director of the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP), reminded families that they can still enroll 4-year-olds in free, high-quality pre-K through their local school district. The recent historic investment in Pre-K for All included in the state’s new budget will allow nearly 59,000 four-year-olds across the state to access free pre-K. As of August 15, enrollment has expanded to all families regardless of income level, while continuing to prioritize families who need it most.
"Free pre-K is here for Michigan families, and there is still time to enroll in a program in your area. This is a huge win for Michigan families that gives kids the educational foundation they need and saves parents thousands on child care costs,” said *Governor Whitmer*. “I am proud that we got this done in the recent balanced, bipartisan budget, and will continue to work with anyone to deliver a brighter future for our children.”
“MiLEAP is committed to ensuring Michigan families have access to a high-quality pre-K education that meets their needs and helps their child thrive,” said *Dr. Walker-Griffea*. “Through our efforts, we are connecting Michigan kids, families, and adults with the lifelong education opportunities they need on their path to prosperity.”
The Pre-K for All initiative ensures that every Michigan 4-year-old has access to a free, high-quality pre-K education, regardless of where they live. By investing in pre-K, Michigan is supporting families by:
* Helping Michigan's four-year-olds reach key developmental milestones and enter kindergarten with a strong educational foundation, setting them up for greater success in school and beyond.
* Introducing children to essential skills like early math, reading, and writing from teachers who support their social and developmental needs.
* Providing families with the flexibility to work and save an estimated $10,000 per year on childcare costs, which contributes to the state's economic growth.
Under the FY 2025 budget, free pre-K enrollment was open to families up to 400% of the federal poverty limit, or about $120,000 for a family of 4. As of August 15, school districts and other pre-K providers may open up enrollment to all families, depending on availability.
It’s not too late to enroll children who will be 4 years old by Dec. 1 in pre-K this fall! Availability varies by location, with priority given to those who need it most. Visit MiPreKforAll.org [ [link removed] ] to find programs near you.
*About MiLEAP: *
Established by Governor Whitmer in 2023, MiLEAP’s mission is to improve outcomes from preschool to postsecondary so anyone can ‘make it in Michigan’ with a solid education and a path to a good-paying job. To learn more about MiLEAP, go to Michigan.gov/MiLEAP [ [link removed] ].
###
STAY CONNECTED: Visit us on Facebook [ [link removed] ] Visit us on Twitter [ [link removed] ] [ [link removed] ]Sign up for email updates [ [link removed] ] [ [link removed] ]
Subscriber Services::
Manage Preferences [ [link removed] ] | Unsubscribe [ [link removed] ] | Help [ [link removed] ]
Bookmark and Share [ [link removed] ]
________________________________________________________________________
This email was sent to
[email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Michigan Executive Office of the Governor · 111 S. Capitol Ave · Lansing, Michigan 48901 GovDelivery logo [ [link removed] ]
body .abe-column-block { min-height: 5px; } table.gd_combo_table img {margin-left:10px; margin-right:10px;} table.gd_combo_table div.govd_image_display img, table.gd_combo_table td.gd_combo_image_cell img {margin-left:0px; margin-right:0px;} table.govd_hr {min-width: 100%;}
