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High-quality early learning opportunities prepare students to enter kindergarten at age 5 socially, emotionally and academically prepared for success. KSDE administers several programs that provide funding to support preschool for Kansas students. While these programs each have unique requirements, KSDE encourages local districts to offer services that support the needs of each student in inclusive environments.
See our KSDE Preschool Frequently Asked Questions (PDF) for support with the Preschool-Aged At-Risk and Kansas Preschool Pilot Programs. FAQ’s are updated regularly.
The Kansas Prekindergarten Guide (PDF) provides prekindergarten teachers, providers and administrators with common references for high-quality and evidence-based prekindergarten practices. The guide supports the implementation of developmentally appropriate and academically rigorous prekindergarten programs.
The Kansas Preschool Pilot (KPP) provides school districts and their community partners with funding to provide preschool services. The Kansas Preschool Pilot grant supports children aged 3 through 5; children age-eligible for kindergarten (age 5 on or before August 31) may not be served with these funds. A 4-year-old is a child who is four years of age on or before August 31 of the current school year. A 3-year-old is a child who is three years of age on or before August 31 of the current school year. At least 50% of the children enrolled in the Kansas Preschool Pilot must meet at least one of the at-risk criteria listed in the grant materials. Note that students who qualify for reduced-price meals qualify as at-risk for the purposes of the Kansas Preschool Pilot.
The grantee shall maintain classroom rosters for all children enrolled in the KPP and ensure that student data is entered into required KSDE data collection systems.
The 2025-2026 Kansas Preschool Pilot Grant Application is now open! Grant Applications must be completed and submitted by January 16, 2025. 2025-2026 Kansas Preschool Pilot Grant Requirements(pdf) 2025-2026 KPP Grant Application(external link) 2025-2026 Preschool Revenue Calculator and Budget Template(updated November 14, 2024)(Excel) Preschool Revenue Calculator and Budget Template User Guide(June 14, 2024)(PDF) Click here to register for the December 10, 2024 Kansas Preschool Pilot grant webinar. (External Link)
2024-2025 Kansas Preschool Pilot Grants 2024-2025 Kansas Preschool Pilot grant awards approved by the Kansas State Board of Education in February 2024 (PDF) 2024-2025 Kansas Preschool Pilot (KPP) Grant Requirements and Application (PDF)
Foundations for School Success (FSS) FSS Users Guide FSS Information Sheet Step by Step Guide for FSS PreK Surveys Step by Step Guide for FSS Non-Public Participants
Note: The name of this program has been changed from "State Pre-K 4 Year Old At-Risk" to “Preschool-Aged At-Risk” to align with changes in statute.
The Preschool-Aged At-Risk Program provides school districts with funding for preschool-aged students. Each preschool-aged at-risk student who is enrolled in a school district and receiving services is counted as 0.5 FTE in calculating a district’s enrollment and accompanying weightings. Districts are encouraged to create integrated programs that include all students and to develop strong community partnerships.
In May 2024 the Kansas State Board of Education approved Preschool-Aged At-Risk programs for 2024-2025. Contact Natalie McClane (nmcclane@ksde.org) if you are interested in requesting approval for a program. All 3-and 4-year-old students who meet any of the at-risk criteria, are enrolled and attending on count date, and are in an approved program will be funded at .5 FTE.
Related Materials 2024-2025 2024-2025 Approved Preschool-Aged At-Risk programs List 2024-2025 Preschool-Aged At-Risk Program Requirements and Assurances (PDF)
Section 619 of Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) defines the federal preschool program which guarantees a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) to children with disabilities age 3 through 5. Under this program preschool children who have disabilities are entitled to special education and related services in the least restrictive environment (LRE). The IDEA Preschool Program (Section 619) supports education services for young children with disabilities when they turn 3. It addresses individual needs within the context of developmentally appropriate activities, including early learning experiences in language, pre-reading and writing skills, play, and other social emotional areas.
Families move across Kansas during the time their children with disabilities age 3 through 5 are receiving special education services from their local school district. To contact to the Early Childhood IDEA Part B staff in the district where the child moves, please refer to this contact list. Early Childhood Special Education Part B Contact List for Indicators 6, 7 & 12 (PDF). This document is searchable by district/coop number or name and by a staff member's name as well.
The Program for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities (Part C of IDEA) is a federal grant program that assists states in operating a comprehensive statewide program of early intervention services for infants and toddlers with disabilities, ages birth through age 2 years, and their families. Kansas Early Childhood Developmental Services (authorized by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act - IDEA Part C) is administered by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE).
Part C Contacts/ /Kansas Early Childhood Developmental Services locations (external link)
In November 2023 the U.S. Departments of Education and Health and Human Services released an updated Policy Statement on Inclusion of Children with Disabilities in Early Childhood Programs (external PDF). It opens with the statement that “All young children with disabilities should have access to high-quality inclusive early childhood programs that provide individualized and appropriate support so they can fully participate alongside their peers without disabilities, meet high expectations, and achieve their full potential.”
are available on the Kansas State Department of Education / Kansas Technical Assistance Systems Network website, https://ksdetasn.org, under the TASN Projects tab, KSDE Early Chilhood Special Education. The compiled resources are organized into the 3 Early Childhood Special Educatiion indicators: Indicator 6: Preschool Environments (external link) Indicator 7: Early Childhood Outcomes (external link) Indicator 12: C to B transitions(external link)
Information Regarding Kansas Part B /619 Early Childhood Special Education Data/ KSDE SPP/APR webpage Indicator 6: Preschool Environments Indicator 7: Preschool Outcomes Indicator 12: Early Childhood Transition from C to B
Additional Resources for Families Families Together Inc. (external link) Parent's Rights Kansas Parent Information Resource Center (external link)
This council is responsible for advising and assisting the Kansas governor and legislature on matters that impact Kansas families with children ages birth to five who have, or are at risk for, developmental delays. Visit www.kansasicc.ksde.org (external link) for additional information.
Where Can Early Childhood Educators Look For Employment? (PDF) Early Childhood Programs/Settings Acceptable as "Accredited Experience" Related to Licensure Upgrade/Renewal (PDF)
Who Can I Hire as a Teacher/Early Interventionist (PDF) Which Kansas License works in which Early Childhood Education Setting for Categorical Aid? (PDF)
Early Childhood Home Page (General information, Webinars)
Early Childhood Director Amanda Petersen apetersen@ksde.org
Parents as Teachers Coordinator Lisa Williams lwilliams@ksde.org
Early Childhood Special Education Coordinator Position Open
Preschool Programs Coordinator Natalie McClane nmcclane@ksde.org
State Interagency Coordinating Council Coordinator Stacy Clarke kansasicc@ksde.org
Data Coordinator Trevor Huffman thuffman@ksde.org
For problems with this webpage Please Contact Beccy Strohm bstrohm@ksde.org (785) 296-6602
Kindergarten Readiness Resources Fact Sheet (PDF) updated January 2024 2024 Kindergarten Readiness Snapshot-ASQ-Spring (PDF)
https://kels.ksde.org Kansas Early Learning Standards website and training opportunities(external link) 2019 Kansas Family Engagement and Partnership Standards for Early Childhood(PDF) Kansas Prekindergarten Guide (PDF) Kansas Quality Network (External Link) Kansas Full Day Kindergarten Guide (PDF) All Day Kindergarten Schedules (PDF)
Kindergarten in Kansas English (PDF) Kindergarten in Kansas Spanish (PDF) Kindergarten in Kansas Arabic (PDF) Kindergarten in Kansas Burmese (PDF) Kindergarten in Kansas Swahili (PDF) Kindergarten in Kansas Vietnamese (PDF)
Click here to order free printed copies of Kindergarten in Kansas booklets, or contact Natalie Schweda at nschweda@kpirc.org
The Kansas State Department of Education does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities. (more information...)
To accommodate people with disabilities, on request, auxiliary aides and services will be provided and reasonable modifications to policies and programs will be made. To request accommodations or for more information please contact the Office of General Counsel at gc@ksde.org or by 785-296-3201.