Saginaw Intermediate School District’s Great Start Readiness Program currently has limited preschool openings available in Carrollton, Saginaw Township, and within the City of Saginaw. For residents outside of these areas, Saginaw ISD’s Head Start/Early Head Start programs have several preschool openings available throughout Saginaw County. Children who attend a high-quality preschool program before kindergarten are better prepared for school academically, socially, and emotionally.
Children who reach developmental milestones while learning and developing in atmospheres and settings where: Their well-being is emphasized; it is clear that they belong; they are celebrated when they explore and communicate; and, they understand that they will be able to make a contribution, will become successful as students and act as responsible participants in later schooling and life beyond school. Research conducted on behalf of the Great Start Readiness Program shows students attending this successful preschool program performed better throughout their academic careers, had lower dropout rates, and achieved higher incomes as adults than those who did not attend preschool.
Dr. Ericka Taylor, Executive Director of Early Childhood for Saginaw Intermediate School District, said, “Our staff believes in creating a nurturing, safe environment with teacher-directed and child-initiated learning activities. We recognize that all children learn differently whether in formal or informal settings, especially through play-based curriculums. Children attending our programs are better prepared for kindergarten because we closely follow the Standards of Quality and Curriculum Guidelines set forth by the Michigan Department of Education, Office of Great Start.”
Preschool openings for GSRP are filled on a first-come, first-serve basis as long as program requirements are met. To enroll, children must be 4-years-old on/or before September 1, 2020. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, income guidelines are temporarily not required - meaning there is no income eligibility cap for the remainder of this school year. The federal government requires Head Start/Early Head Start programs to continue following income eligibility guidelines despite the pandemic. Applicants for these programs must meet particular risk factors as well as federal income requirements.
To learn more about Saginaw Intermediate School District’s early childhood programs, visit us online.
About Great Start Readiness Program, Saginaw County
The Saginaw Intermediate School District (SISD) services Great Start Readiness Programs (GSRP) throughout Saginaw County, serving as the fiscal and administrative agent. SISD preschool programs are a collaboration of Saginaw County school districts and community-based providers who offer state GSRP and preschool services for low to moderate-income families. GSRP is a state-funded preschool program serving families whose circumstances indicate a need for minimal to no-cost early childhood education. Learn more by visiting www.saginawpreschool.org.
About Head Start/Early Head Start Program, Saginaw County
Head Start is a federally-funded preschool program. Its success is based on compassionate partnerships between Head Start program staff and parents. In Michigan, local Head Start programs work with families to remove barriers to success and to deepen parents’ ability to support their children. Learn more by visiting www.saginawpreschool.org.