GSRP Free Preschool

Age Requirement

Children must be 4 years old on or before December 1 of the current school year.

Program Requirements

• VACCINATION RECORDS

  Your child’s vaccination/immunization record. A copy of your child’s records can be obtained from the doctor’s office or clinic where your child received the vaccination.

• HEALTH APPRAISAL

The family must live in St. Clair County, or live in a St. Clair County school district, and meet age and income requirements. The information below is required to help us determine your eligibility. Please contact us if you have questions about these requirements.

- COMPLETED APPLICATION
Completely fill out the attached application.

- PROOF OF AGE
Child’s birth certificate or other proof of age such as immunization records or baptismal record.

- DOCUMENTATION OF PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY FACTORS
Documentation of eligibility factors checked “yes” on page 2 of the GSRP application.

- PROOF OF FAMILY INCOME (parents/guardians supporting child)
Proof of income includes, but is not limited to one of the following:

• SNAP (food stamps/bridge card)
• TANF
• Current SSI statement
• 2023 Federal Tax Form
• 2023 W2s
• Previous 12 months of paycheck stubs
• Current DHHS Cash Statement
• Current Social Security Statement

- PROOF OF RESIDENCY (Where you live)
A utility bill, mortgage statement, rental agreement, and city income tax return will be accepted as proof that you are a resident of the county. The document must show the address where the child lives. More than one may be required.

Federal income guidelines 

You may be eligible if your family income is at or below the dollar amount in this chart:

For families/households with more than 8 persons,
add $21,520 for each additional person.

Transportation may be available if needed. Check with your local school district.
 

Eligibility

The information below is required to help us determine your eligibility.  Additional registration documentation and information will be needed to complete the enrollment process. If you have any questions about these requirements, please contact Riley Alley at 810-455-4397.

Completed application
Completely fill out the countywide GSRP application.

Proof of age
Child's birth certificate or other proof of age, such as immunization records or baptismal record.

Documentation of program eligibility factors.
Documentation of eligibility factors marked "yes" on GSRP application.

Proof of income
Family income (parents/guardians supporting child) documentation:
 
Proof of income includes, but is not limited to:

• SNAP (food stamps/bridge card)
• TANF
• SSI Statement 
• 2023 Federal Tax Form
• 2023 W2's
• Previous 12 months of paycheck stubs
• Current DHHS Cash Statement
• Current Social Security 

If no income, you must submit documentation from DHS regarding your situation, or documentation from a shelter or if living with relatives: a letter stating you and your child live with them and are not responsible for any living expenses such as rent, utilities, etc.

Proof of residency (Where you live)
A utility bill, mortgage statement, rental agreement, and city income tax return will be accepted as proof that you are a resident of the county. The document must show the address where the child lives. More than one may be required based on program. 

Complete online application

Countywide GSRP Application

If you have questions or need assistance with completing your application,
call Riley Alley at 810-455-4397 or send an email.

Under the Great Start to Quality rating system, programs are awarded quality ratings based on the standards met. 

About the Great Start to Quality system

GSRP addresses key areas that a child needs to be ready for kindergarten. Teachers focus on social/emotional readiness along with academics through a play-based curriculum using developmentally appropriate practices. 

Programs use either the HighScope or Creative Curriculum where teachers and children are active partners in the learning process. Children participate in experiences that build on their interests.

• Children follow a daily routine, learn to take turns, cooperate, and share.
• Children learn foundational literacy skills such as knowledge of the alphabet, rhyming, and concepts of print.
• Children learn foundational mathematics skills such as one-to-one correspondence, patterning, and number sense.
• Children develop problem-solving and self-help skills.

Research on preschool programs and specific research on GSRP indicates that children participating in a high-quality preschool program show significant positive developmental differences when compared to children from the same backgrounds who did not attend a high-quality preschool program. High-quality GSRP programs prepare children to be successful in kindergarten and throughout life.