FLINT, Michigan — On Saturday, April 13, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Genesee Intermediate School District (GISD) will host its annual free Preschool Enrollment Event at the Flint Children’s Museum, located at 1602 University Ave. in Flint. The event offers families an engaging opportunity to explore preschool options, enroll in early childhood programs, and enjoy hands-on activities in a beloved community space.
Dr. Jodi Ramos, Director of Early Childhood Programs at GISD, says this long-standing tradition reflects the district’s mission to make preschool accessible and engaging for all Genesee County families.
“The museum is a place that is near and dear to the hearts of families in the community,” said Dr. Ramos. “This gives them an opportunity to not only visit the museum but to discuss early childhood programs and options that are available to families across the county.”
Throughout the event, families can interact with staff, explore hands-on activities for children, and receive one-on-one assistance identifying the best preschool or early childhood program for their needs. Staff from a range of services are present to help walk families through the enrollment process, provide guidance, and answer questions.
“Having that one-on-one conversation with a family definitely helps us to explore all options,” Dr. Ramos explained. “Families may be unaware of the variety of services and resources we can provide, and this event allows us to share a little bit about all of them — from center-based programming to home visiting special education supports.”
Programs represented at the event include the Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP), Head Start (preschool and infant/toddler), Successful Kids = Involved Parents (SKIP), Early On, and the Great Start Collaborative, which focuses on advocacy and community support for families. These programs offer a broad spectrum of services, from home visits to special education support for infants and toddlers.
The event is also a chance to highlight the lasting benefits of early childhood education. “The brain develops most rapidly in the first five years,” Dr. Ramos emphasized. “Giving your child additional resources, supports, and experiences allows your child to develop a love for learning early. Early Childhood helps to build those foundational skills in social-emotional development, literacy, and mathematics from birth that leads to future success in all areas of life.”
GISD has seen the long-term impacts firsthand. “Families come back and tell us how prepared their children were for kindergarten,” she added. “They enter with confidence and wanting to explore and learn. Teachers comment on their success, and many children even come back to their early childhood teachers years later to share how those experiences shaped them.”
With its mix of playful discovery and practical support, the Preschool Enrollment Event at the Flint Children’s Museum reflects the heart of GISD’s early childhood mission: to empower families, support children’s growth, and help every learner begin their educational journey with confidence.
For more information about early childhood programs or to start the enrollment process, visit: geneseeisd.org
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