3/17/2026

UPPER MICHIGAN - Efforts to expand free pre-K in Michigan have led to struggles in finding and keeping enough child care workers and teachers. One tactic officials are using is to make the job attractive enough that paraprofessionals who are already in the classroom will become full-fledged teachers. The MiEarly Apprentice is a new program from the Michigan Educator Workforce Initiative that aims to pay current childcare and pre-K workers to get a college degree, coaching and ultimately, higher wages. MEWI piloted the program last year in Marquette and Alger counties in the U.P.. Now, it is expanding to eight more counties and hopes to expand statewide with more funding.