Great Start Readiness Program
FREE Preschool
Preschool Ages: 4 years | A Y Membership is NOT required
We are proud to partner with Kent Intermediate School District and the State of Michigan to provide families with free preschool through Great Start Readiness Program that offers the same high-quality program and benefits as our traditional preschool programs. GSRP uses best practices to help children prepare for success in kindergarten and beyond. More children are eligible now as Michigan works toward its goal of PreK for All – free PreK for 4 year olds (and 3 year olds who turn 4 before December 1).
Please note: When you apply, choose a Y location as your 1st preference and it will give us access to process your application.
Assistance
– Accommodations for children with different abilities
– DHS assistance for Wrap care programs
– Support of an early childhood specialist
Family Matters
– Family engagement activities
– Child and family advocate program
– Family conferences to keep track of progress and kindergarten readiness support
Healthy Living
– Healthy meals and snacks
– Free child screenings in health and development
Various Activities
– Gym activities
– Outdoor activities
– Nutrition classes
– Field trips
– Swim lessons
Y Family Membership
– FREE
– Discounts on Y programs including swim lessons and sports
Our GSRP Guarantees
We are proud that our classrooms meet the individual needs of families and children throughout our community. We celebrate the differences in our individual GRSP sites and we make these guarantees regardless of where a child is enrolled in GSRP:
- Home visits will take place twice yearly for 60 minutes each for every student. They will be held at every student’s place of residence unless the family requests an alternative location such as a park, library, or restaurant. The first home visit will typically take place before the student’s first day of school. The first home visit will always take place within the first 30 days of each student’s start date, including children that start later in the school year. The second home visit will take place within the last 45 days of school.
- Conferences will take place twice per year for 45 minutes each for each child. The first conference will take place after the first checkpoint, the final conference will take place after the second checkpoint.
- Progress Reports will be sent home 3 times per year. The progress report will give information about how the student is progressing in each of the following areas: Social-Emotional, Physical, Language, Literacy, and Mathematics.
- Family Boards will be posted at each site and updated. They will contain information including daily classroom schedules complete with time and description of occurrences in daily routine, licensing information, updated licensing recalls, menus of food offered to students, family newsletters, and upcoming events.
- Curriculum that is research-based and has been approved by MDE and Kent ISD will be utilized in every classroom with fidelity.
- Families will never be charged money for classroom activities or supplies, nor asked to bring in donations of things that require purchase.
- Although some classrooms may be housed in faith-based buildings; materials, practices, and teachings will remain secular.
- A 1:8 adult/child staffing ratio will be maintained in each classroom. A classroom will not open for the school year until two teachers are in place.
- Team teaching models are implemented in each classroom where each teacher is fully engaged in planning curriculum, implementing curriculum both indoors and outdoors, child assessment, and supporting parent engagement through home visits, conferences, and family meetings.
- Lead and Associate teachers will meet the GSRP qualifications outlined in the GSRP Implementation Manual.
- Licensing regulations are followed via the Child Care Licensing Website.
- Implementation Manual guidelines are followed via the Implementation Manual. See the Implementation Manual Highlight Slides here.
- Classrooms will meet licensing requirements.
- All learning environments will be supplied with plentiful materials that are age, developmentally, and culturally appropriate. The materials will be open-ended and in good condition. Various classroom center materials will be changed at least bi-weekly.
- Uninterrupted play where both teachers are engaged in work and play with the children will occur for at least 60 consecutive minutes.
- Adult-initiated activities that support each child’s developmental level and target kindergarten-readiness skills will occur daily in groups of various sizes.
- Rest time will take place daily for no longer than 45 minutes in full-day classrooms. Children who do not wish to sleep will be supplied with a quiet independent activity. Rest time will not occur in half-day classrooms.
- Outdoor play will occur for at least 60 total minutes daily for full-day classrooms, and at least 30 minutes for half-day classrooms throughout the school year, weather permitting.
- Meals will always be served family-style to promote language development, use of manners, and cooperation.
GSRP Locations
David D. Hunting YMCA
475 Lake Michigan Drive
Grand Rapids MI, 49504
GSRP Free Preschool Program
Friday Care Available*
Before- and After-School Care Available*
* Tuition based, call to inquire.
River City Scholars
944 Evergreen St SE
Grand Rapids MI, 49507
GSRP Free Preschool Program
Visser Family YMCA
3540 Fairlanes SW
Grandville MI, 49418
GSRP Free Preschool Program
Yankee Clipper Library
2025 Leonard Street NE
Grand Rapids MI, 49505
GSRP Free Preschool Program
YMCA Child Development Center
5722 Metro Way SW
Wyoming MI, 49519
GSRP Free Preschool Program
Friday Care Available*
Before- and After-School Care Available*
* Tuition based, call to inquire.
YMCA Jacquline Baber-Bey Early Childhood Center
415 M.L.K. Jr St SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49507
GSRP Free Preschool Program
Friday Care Available*
Before- and After-School Care Available*
* Tuition based, call to inquire.