4 Year Old Full Day
Our Full Day 4 Year-Old Preschool Program is a 5 days a week program! This program is funded through the State of Michigan as part of the “PreK For All” initiative. The state is gradually transitioning to free Universal preschool for all 4 year-olds. Great Start Readiness Preschool (GSRP) was established in the mid 1980’s and is serving as the model for our Universal Preschool throughout the state.
Each year the state legislation sets the standards for eligibility with the highest priority set for families with financial needs. In recent years ALL 4 year-old students (regardless of financial circumstances) became eligible for free preschool.
In order to service as many 4 year-olds as possible our enrollment process begins at the county level. Families must complete Phase 1 with MiECC and once families are assigned to their local district they will complete Phase 2.
GSRP Enrollment Process 2025-2026*
The process to register and enroll into GSRP has a number of steps which are outlined below.
Please note this is a new process implemented throughout Oakland County, coordinated by the
Help Me Grow Care Coordinators at Great Start Collaborative Oakland County.
Phase 1: MiECC Application (Oakland County Application)
- Select “preschool 3-5”.
- Enter your email.
- Check the box for “Do you have a specific preschool you would like to apply for?”
- If you would like your child to attend preschool in Waterford, select “Early Explorers Academy”.
What’s Next?
- Family applies through Oakland County Early Childhood Application (MiECC).
- Help Me Grow Care Coordinators from Great Start Collaborative Oakland County receive and review all applications.
- For families below 600% Federal Poverty Level (FPL):
The Care Coordinators work with families to collect income documentation,
age eligibility documentation, and residency documentation.
Once all documentation is collected and verified, Care Coordinators email programs
and notify them of a new referral/assignment for GSRP.
- For families above 600% Federal Poverty Level (FPL):
The Care Coordinators email programs to notify them of a new referral/assignment for GSRP.
Early Explorers Academy will work with families to collect income documentation,
age eligibility, and residency documentation.
- The Program Director contacts families within a week of the email notification. One of the following will be sent:
- The family is notified of additional GSRP program-specific documentation needed to move to the next steps.
- The family is notified they are on the waiting list and will be contacted in the future if/when a spot becomes available.
- Once all GSRP program-specific documentation is received, families will be asked to enroll
into the Early Explorers Academy program through our main office.
- Once all of the above processes have been completed and if a family qualifies, the family will receive an email with a letter of enrollment.
Phase 2: (Do not proceed until granted approval)
Required Documentation*
- Driver’s License with current address
- Current Immunization Record
- Birth Certificate
- Income Documentation
- Federal Income Tax Form 1040
- W2
- Child Support (required if received)
- Alimony
- TANF documentation (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)
- SSI Documentation
- 3 most recent pay stubs
- Residency Documentation
- 1 utility bill AND
- Copy of recent tax statement OR whole copy of lease agreement
*Additional documentation may be required.
Please note some documentation will be collected by Help Me Grow Care Coordinators from Great Start Collaborative Oakland County.
Please include the following websites for more information under the GSRP page:
