The Great Start Readiness Program enrolls 4-year-olds in pre-K programming across the state. Students can enroll in local schools, child-care centers and nonprofit organizations for the program. (Courtesy of Kent Intermediate School District, via Bridge Michigan)

(This story was originally published by Bridge Michigan, a nonprofit and nonpartisan news organization. Visit the newsroom online: bridgemi.com.)

Michigan’s signature free pre-K program for 4-year-olds has reached a new enrollment high as state officials continue to tout cost savings and educational benefits to parents.

Across the state, there are about 51,000 students enrolled in the Great Start Readiness Program, the state’s free pre-K program. The numbers announced Tuesday are an increase of 8,971 students from this time last year, according to numbers provided by MiLEAP. That’s a 21% increase in enrollment.

GSRP is part of the state’s Pre-K for All initiative. The initiative includes the federally funded Head Start preschool program, developmental kindergarten and early childhood special education. Officials have set a goal to “serve a total of 88,500 of the state’s 118,000 four-year-old children in publicly funded programs by 2027.”

“This year’s substantial increase in enrollment is thanks in part to our public awareness campaign to get that word out across the state that pre-K is truly for all,” said MiLEAP Director Beverly Walker-Griffea.

Lawmakers allocated about $657 million in funding for the Great Start Readiness Program this year, which now serves students regardless of family income. This funding also includes a study of the program and student transportation funds.

“This program is truly for everyone,” said Emily Laidlaw, deputy director of early education at MiLEAP. “It’s not just for low-income families. It’s not just for middle class families. But everyone. (It) means families can go to work or school knowing that their child is safe and learning with a caring, compassionate teacher.”

In the previous budget, leaders allocated $1.95 million for a statewide outreach campaign. Leaders did not include new funding in this budget.

Child-care providers, local schools, nonprofits and businesses operate the program across the state. There are four- and five-day programs and full- and half-day options. Laidlaw said about 30% of students in the Great Start Readiness Program are attending pre-K through community-based organizations that include nonprofits, private businesses and religious institutions.

Local and state officials urged interested families to consider enrolling their children in the program. There are still two months left for enrollment in this school year.

“It’s been embraced by the families because it is quality child care for an opportunity at no cost,” Walker-Griffea said, clarifying that “it’s more than child care, this is quality education for our children.”

The state budget also includes $25 million for a pilot program to provide state-funded preschool for 3-year-olds.