Dream Big Start Small

Pre-K in Kalamazoo County is open to children who meet these basic criteria:  

• Age: Child is 3 or 4 years old. (For the upcoming school year, children should turn 3 or 4 by December 1.) 
• Residency: Family lives in Kalamazoo County. 
• Income: Many programs are designed for families who meet income guidelines for free preschool. However, all families are encouraged to apply. 
• Children with special circumstances may also qualify. If your family faces challenges or your child has specific needs, please apply as we want to help every child get the best start. 

Preschool programs are generally free for those who qualify. If your family’s income is above the free program guidelines, there might be options for reduced tuition in certain community classrooms.  

1. Before starting, collect a few key documents:  
   1. Birth Certificate or other proof of age 
   2. Proof of County Residency (driver’s license, utility bill, lease/mortgage agreement, currently homeless, a written letter from the shelter where you are living) 
   3. Verification/documentation of all family income (parents/guardians supporting child) must include the last 12 months of income. 
      1. Last year's tax return (preferred) 
      2. Year-to-date pay stub 
      3. College scholarships 
      4. Proof of receipt of public assistance (SNAP - EBT/WIC/TANF/SSI) 
      5. Child or alimony support 
2. Fill Out the Application Form (Online or Paper) 
3. Submit Your Application 
   1.  If you filled out a paper form, you have a few options to turn it in: 
      1. Email – Scan or take a clear photo of the completed application and email it to hsenroll@kresa.org. 
      2. Mail – Send it via mail to Head Start, Attn: Enrollment, 422 E. South St., Kalamazoo, MI 49007. 
4. After you submit your application, our enrollment team will review it and verify your eligibility. We may reach out if any additional information is needed to match them with an available preschool program that fits your family’s needs. Our staff will contact you to let you know which program has an opening for your child and guide you through the next steps.  

Once your child is placed in a program, you will complete any final enrollment paperwork with that specific program. Then get ready for your child to start preschool! We will provide information on the school schedule, open house/orientation dates, and what to expect on the first day.  

We are here to support you through the application process! If you have any questions or need assistance, please reach out: 

• Phone: Call us at (269) 250-9333. Our friendly enrollment specialists are happy to help answer questions and guide you through the application. 
• Email: Send us an email at hsenroll@kresa.org. You can email us your questions or attach your completed application if you’re submitting paperwork electronically. 
• If you’d like to talk in person, you can visit our Head Start enrollment office at 422 E. South Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49007.  
• Spanish application support is available, and we can arrange interpretation for other languages if needed. 

By filling out the single Kalamazoo County Pre-K application, your child will be considered for all of these programs: 

• Head Start – Free preschool for qualifying 3- and 4-year-old children (a federally funded program). 
• Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) – Free preschool for qualifying 4-year-old children (Michigan’s state-funded pre-K). 
• Community-Based Preschool Classes – High-quality preschool offered by local schools and childcare centers (supported by KC Ready 4s) for 3- and 4-year-olds. 

Kalamazoo RESA is here to help every child dream big and start small.

Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency (KRESA) is the coordinating agency for Kalamazoo County Pre-K programs. We administer the Head Start and GSRP grants and partner with local schools and childcare centers to create a countywide preschool system that serves all eligible children. KRESA works behind the scenes to fund and support these classrooms, ensuring teachers are well trained, classrooms are high-quality, and resources are available so that every child can have a positive early learning experience. In other words, KRESA brings together federal, state, and local resources to provide great preschool opportunities for families in our community.