Foundation for Early Learners

The Detroit Public Schools Foundation for Early Learners offers free, full-day prekindergarten programs (Head Start, Great Start Readiness Program and Title I). We have certified teachers who use a high scope curriculum. We offer free breakfast, lunch and a snack, and provide services for children with special needs. Parent involvement is strongly encouraged and supported.

 

 

Student application and selection process

In order to become eligible for Detroit Public Schools prekindergarten Programs, a child must be 4 years old by December 1 of the current school year. The recruitment, eligibility and selection of prekindergarten children and their families for Project Head Start, Great Start Readiness and Title I programs within Detroit Public Schools is an ongoing process.

 

How to enroll

All parents or guardians seeking to enroll their child(ren) into a DPS prekindergarten program must apply in person and provide the following:

• Child’s birth certificate
• Proof of income (W-2, pay stub, public assistance documents, etc.)
• Completed Child Application Form, which is available at every DPS prekindergarten program

 

Head Start

Head Start is a full-day prekindergarten program that meets four days per week. The program is federally funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and provides an array of services, including education, health, nutrition, parental involvement and social, mental health and disability support for low-income children and their families. Class sizes are limited to 17 students.

Who qualifies?

Children who will be 4 years old on or before December 1 of the current school year are eligible for the Head Start Prekindergarten Program. In order to be eligible for Head Start, a child must meet the age requirement, have a diagnosed disability or come from a low-income family.

Low-income families are those whose total annual income before taxes is equal to or less than the Income Guidelines specified in Section 652 of the Head Start Act.

Income Guidelines for Head Start

 

Contacts

Regina Olden
Head Start Program Supervisor
(313) 866-0533

Helen Oliver-Brooks
GSRP Program Supervisor
(313) 870-3613

 

Great Start Readiness Program

The Great Start Readiness Program is a state-funded preschool program sponsored by the Michigan Department of Education. It is a full-day program that meets four days per week. Class sizes are limited to 16 students. This program provides education , health, social, mental health and parent involvement services to educationally at-risk children who will be 4 years old by December 1 of the current school year. 

Who qualifies?

In addition to the age requirement, all children must also meet GSRP Risk Factors:

• Extremely low family income
• Low family income
• Diagnosed disability or identified developmental delay
• Severe or challenging behavior
• Primary home language other than English
• Parent with low educational attainment
• Abuse/neglect of child or parent, environmental risk

Income Guidelines for Great Start Readiness Program

 

Title I

The program serves children who will be 4 years old on or before December 1 of the current school year and are eligible for Title I Classrooms. The program offers full-day programs that meet four days per week. Class sizes are limited to 16 students.

Who qualifies?

In addition to the age requirement, all children must also meet one of the following risk factors:

• Extremely low family income
• Low family income
• Diagnosed disability or identified developmental delay
• Severe or challenging behavior
• Primary home language other than English
• Parent with low educational attainment
• Abuse/neglect of child or parent, environmental risk

Income Guidelines for Title I

 

Resources

• Immunization information
• Great Start Collaborative – Wayne County
• Give Michigan's Kids a Great Start

 

Pre-kindergarten Schools

Schools that offer prekindergarten programs