The Wayne State University College of Education Early Childhood Center and the Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute Early Childhood Center have openings in their Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP), Michigan’s state-funded preschool program for four-year-old children. A nationally recognized Pre-K program, it is administered by the Michigan Department of Education, Office of Great Start.  

The preschool program is offered Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and is free for families that meet income guidelines established by the Michigan Department of Education. Families with income that exceeds those guidelines pay a monthly fee of $10. 

“We are excited to offer this program to families in our community,” said Anna Miller, associate professor of early childhood education and executive director of both the Wayne State University College of Education Early Childhood Center and Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute Early Childhood Center. “Quality preschool provides a strong foundation for a lifetime of learning, helps children develop critical skills, and bridges educational gaps. Our goal is to ensure that every child has an opportunity to thrive and unlock their limitless potential."

Research on preschool programs and specific research on GSRP indicates that children provided with a high-quality preschool experience show significant positive developmental differences when compared to children from the same backgrounds who did not attend a high-quality preschool program.

Children who were four years old by December 1, 2023, are eligible to enroll in the Great Start Readiness Program. Parents or guardians who are interested in registering their children should contact Honilynn Hendricks at honilynn.hendricks@wayne.edu or 313-577-1686 no later than Wednesday, Jan. 31.

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Wayne State University College of Education Early Childhood Center (COE-ECC) 
The Wayne State University College of Education Early Childhood Centerwas established in 1957 as a teacher preparation center and research site. Student teachers in elementary/early childhood education and special education/early childhood education curricula have a required semester of student teaching at the center as part of their teacher preparation program and teacher certification requirement. The COE-ECC is widely known throughout the state as a high-quality center, teacher preparation program and demonstration site. It is one of only five early childhood education centers in Detroit accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. To learn more about the center, visit education.wayne.edu/childhood-center. 

Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute Early Childhood Center (MPSI-ECC)
Established in 1922, the Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute Early Childhood Center has a long history as a nationally recognized site for research on family and child development and was the second nursery school opened in the nation. The center is a demonstration site for best practices for students from education, psychology and other university programs. The MPSI-ECC is one of only five early childhood education centers in Detroit accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. For more information, go to mpsi.wayne.edu/education/early-childhood.