Early Childhood

Great Start, Great Investment, Great Future
The Plan for Early Learning and Development in Michigan


Early Childhood Outcomes
• Children are born healthy.
• Children are healthy, thriving, and developmentally on track from birth to third grade.
• Children are developmentally ready to succeed in school at time of school entry.
• Children are prepared to succeed in fourth grade and beyond by reading proficiently by the end of third grade.


Expanding Access to Quality Programs and Services
• Creating a strong system infrastructure that includes coordination and collaboration, perhaps through the development and expansion of community access hubs
• Focusing resources on children from birth to age 3 and their families.
• Ensuring that pregnant women have access to prenatal care and that young children have a regular source of medical care where providers are working to identify any developmental delays.
• Making investments in high-quality preschool and child care programs, including GSRP and Head Start.
• Providing professional development to child care and preschool providers.


Recommendations for Reaching Michigan’s Early Childhood Outcomes
• Build Leadership within the System
• Support Parents’ Critical Role in Their Children’s Early Learning and Development
• Assure Quality and Accountability
• Ensure Coordination and Collaboration
• Use Funding Efficiently to Maximize Impact
• Expand Access to Quality Programs


Recommendations for Reaching Michigan’s
Early Childhood Outcomes


Ready Communities
• Safety
• Housing
• Transportation
• Employment Opportunities
• Resources
• Supports

Ready Schools
• Safe
• Highly Qualified Teachers
• Developmentally Appropriate Practices
• Appropriate Teacher to Student Ratio
• Evidenced Based Curriculum

Ready Services
Health and Early Childhood Education:
    • Prenatal Care
    • Access to Pediatrician
    • Health Insurance
    • Developmental Screening
    • High Quality Childcare/Early Childhood Education

Ready Families
Strengthening Families Five Protective Factors:
    • Parental Resilience
    • Social Connections
    • Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development
    • Concrete Support in Times of Need
    • Social and Emotional Competence of Children



BFDI Celebrates With One Of Our Remarkable Partners...An Early Learning Champion!



Michigan Department of Education | Office of Great Start


* View Our Early Learning Communities Program *

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Monday-Friday: 9am to 5pm
Weekends: Community Meetings


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Our Offices

  • Administrative Office

    2995 E. Grand Blvd
    Detroit, MI 48202
    Phone: 313-758-0150
  • Samaritan Center

    5555 Conner Ave. Ste 1038
    Detroit, MI 48213
    Phone: 313-308-0255

    If it is after business hours, and you need to reach your Case Manager, please call BFDI’s “After Hours” phone number at (313) 330-2849.
  • In School Colaborative Partners

    Brenda Scott Academy
    Ecorse High School
    George Washington Carver
    Grandport Elementary Academy
    Hope Academy
    New Paradigm - University Yes Academy
    Osborn High School
    Ralph J. Bunche Academy
    Ronald Brown Academy
    Schulze Academy for Technology and Arts
    University Prep Art & Design: Middle High School
    University Prep Art and Design: Elementary School