MiLEAP highlighting success of Pre-K For All as enrollment increases

ISHPEMING TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WLUC) - The state of Michigan is sharing the success of its ‘Pre-K For All’ program with an increase in enrollment.

During a press conference held downstate, the Director of the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement and Potential -- MiLEAP, shared that more than 55,000 children are enrolled in the Pre-K For All program. Also, the Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) applications are up 65 percent.

“That’s 55,000 minds that are being shaped in high-quality learning environments. The early years, as all of us know, matter the most, a child’s brain develops very fast in those first five years more than any other time,” said MiLEAP Director, Beverly Walker-Griffea.

The Principal of Aspen Ridge Elementary says the Pre-K For All program is fairly new, and they haven’t seen quite the same impact yet.

“Right now, we haven’t necessarily seen any major differences with the students, obviously, the more opportunities for our younger students, the better, so I think it’s a good program, it has good intentions,” Aspen Ridge Elementary Principal Chris Marana said.

Marana says the NICE Community School District offers Head Start, a federal preschool program, and its own early education program.

“In our building, we have a NICE Start program, which is a half-day program, which is a paid preschool program through our district, and those students can receive four days a week of pre-K education,” Marana said.

PreK For All is available at no cost to Michigan families regardless of income level. MiLEAP also says that program is saving families an estimated $14,000 per year in child care costs.

The video above will feature the TV6 livestream until staff can clip the corresponding story, if available, from broadcasts or other TV6 content. You can subscribe to our YouTube page or download TV6+ to stream the latest local news and weather.