Millage Recipient Profile - Kent ISD
Kent ISD is at the forefront of early childhood education, supporting thousands of families and educators across the region. With a mission to provide enhanced and equitable opportunities to enrich the experiences and achievements of all learners, Kent ISD's commitment to early childhood learning shines through its Great Start to Quality program.
About Kent ISD:
Kent ISD is a local educational service agency dedicated to providing essential services, collaborative initiatives, and valuable learning opportunities for the region's students and educators. Serving 20 public school districts, along with public school academies and non-public schools in Kent County and northern Barry County, Kent ISD impacts more than 100,000 students and 8,000 educators across nearly 300 schools. Through Kent ISD’s early childhood programs, families can find resources to support their child’s development including free preschool, connecting with quality childcare providers, and early interventions for children with developmental delays.
Great Start to Quality’s Child Care Navigation Program:
GSQ focuses on high-quality early learning experiences that build the foundation for skills children need to thrive in school and in life. To accomplish this, GSQ offers support to strengthen Michigan’s providers of early care and education so they can continuously improve the services and support they provide young children, their families, and the community.
Children learn so much in their first five years. Quality licensed programs help children learn, grow, and develop. The foundation is set for children to be successful in school, work, and life when they have a safe place to learn, explore their world, and build relationships. Great Start to Quality is committed to helping Michigan families find child care that fits their budget and schedule.
Program Highlights:
- Finding the Fit: Child Care Navigation provides families with a list of programs with openings based specifically on individualized preferences.
- Affordability: Direct and comprehensive support is provided to families in determining eligibility and applying for subsidy and scholarship assistance. Families who do not qualify are guided through lower cost child care options.
- Highlighting Quality: The Navigation team connects with licensed child care providers to compile up-to-date openings and program-specific information and educates families Michigan provider licensing regulations and violations.
Voices
A Navigator worked with a new mom to explain how to search for different types of care using the GSQ website. Mom learned how to use it to find a program she and her spouse felt good about and their daughter started the next month. Mom said "I keep telling all of my friends about this program because it's been so helpful for me. I really wouldn't have known where to start, so thank you so much!"
“I worked with a Navigator, she was very helpful, and provided me useful information when I moved from Indiana to Grand Rapids. I was looking for educational care programs for my daughter, she helped me a lot!”
"The place you recommended worked! They have spots for both kids and it looks like the bus can bring my son to and from school. We went and visited and really liked it and they should be starting next week. We are so grateful! My son has some social anxiety, but he saw a little girl from his school there and she was so excited and said "That means we'll ride the bus together!" It has been such a huge weight off our shoulders. Thank you so, so much!"