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Early Childhood / Pre-Kindergarten

Detroit Public Schools Community District Foundation for Early Learners provides a high quality early learning experience for special needs and general education students 4 years old by September 1^st or December 1^st of the current school year, depending on the program.

The Early Childhood Programs are comprised of two prekindergarten programs: the Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP).  Students selected for the Great Start Readiness Program must meet income guidelines.

The Recruitment, Enrollment and Selection Process

The recruitment, eligibility, and selection of prekindergarten children and their families for Early Childhood programs within the Detroit Public Schools Community District is an ongoing process throughout the school year. In order to become eligible for Detroit Public Schools Community District’s Prekindergarten Program, a child must be 4 years old by September 1^st or December 1^st of the current school year.

Documentation Needed for Application Process

This information is needed to determine eligibility:

• Birth Certificate
• Proof of Income (W-2, Pay Stubs, Public Assistance documents, etc.)
• Completed Child Application Form
• Proof of Disability (if applicable) – Individual Education Plan (IEP)
• Current Immunization
• Proof of Residency

Great Start Readiness Program

The Great Start Readiness Program is a state-funded prekindergarten program for four-year-old children with factors which may place them at risk of educational failure. The program is sponsored by the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) and administered by Wayne RESA. Class size is to 16 to 18 students, meets four days per week and the program provides educational, health, mental health, and parent involvement services.

Who qualifies?

In addition to the age requirement, all children must also meet GSRP Risk Factors:

• Low family income
• Diagnosed disability or identified developmental delay – Individual Education Plan (IEP)
• Severe or challenging behavior
• Primary home language other than English
• Parent/guardian with low educational attainment
• Abuse/neglect of child or parent,
• Environmental risk (i.e. parental loss of due to death, divorce, incarceration, military service, or absence, sibling issues, teen parent (not age 20 when first child born), family is homeless or without stable housing, residence in a high-risk neighborhood (area of high poverty, high crime, with limited access to critical community services), and prenatal or postnatal exposure to toxic substance known to cause learning or developmental delays).

Head Start Partnership

Thanks to a new partnership with Starfish Family Services, Detroit parents will have access to slots for three and four-year-olds in 12 classrooms in four Detroit Public Schools Community District buildings.

Vanessa Garcia and her daughter Damaris at the Thrive by Five Earhart Elementary-Middle School site. Photo credit: Steve Palackdharry

Starfish Family Services is funding these 12 classrooms using Head Start and/or Great Start Readiness Program funds. The classrooms are located in these schools in southwest Detroit:

• Durfee Elementary-Middle School offers three (3) Head Start classes.
• Earhart Elementary-Middle School offers two (2) Head Start classes and one (1) Head Start/GSRP class.
• Mark Twain School for Scholars offers two (2) Head Start classes.
• Phoenix Elementary-Middle School offers four (4) Head Start classes.

For more information, parents should contact (734) 248-3400.

Resources

• Immunization information
• Great Start Collaborative – Wayne County
• Give Michigan’s Kids a Great Start

Pre-kindergarten Schools

List of Pre-kindergarten Schools