Preschool Programming

See the KSDE Early Childhood webpage for Early Childhood Funding resources. 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.

Kansas Preschool Pilot (KPP)

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.

2024-2025 Kansas Preschool Pilot Grant Application is now closed. 
2024-2025 Kansas Preschool Pilot grant awards approved by the Kansas State Board of Educaition in February 2024 (external link)
2024-2025 Kansas Preschool Pilot (KPP) Grant Requirements and Application (PDF)
Dec 12 2023 Kansas Preschool Pilot Grant Webinar Slides (PDF)
2024-2025 Preschool Revenue Calculator and Budget Template (Updated Dec. 1, 2023) (Excel)
Preschool Revenue Calculator and Budget Template User Guide (Dec 1, 2023) (PDF)

 

2023-2024 Kansas Preschool Pilot Renewal Grants
2023-2024 Kansas Preschool Pilot (KPP) Grant Requirements  (Updated July 31, 2023) (PDF)
Kansas Preschool Pilot (KPP) Reporting Webinar (presented Sept 6, 2023)(PDF)
Administrative Cost Guidance (PDF)

Foundations for School Success
FSS Users Guide
FSS Information Sheet
Step by Step Guide for FSS PreK Surveys
Step by Step Guide for FSS Non-Public Participants

Preschool-Aged At-Risk

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.

The Preschool-Aged At-Risk Approval form for the 2024-2025 school year is now available. All 3-and 4-year-old students who meet an of the at-risk criteria, are enrolled and attending on count date, and are in an approved program will be funded at .5 FTE.  All programs who wish to be funded must complete and submit the Preschool-Aged At-Risk Approval Form by April 3rd to be approved by the Kansas Board of Education.

Related Materials 2024-2025
2024-2025 Preschool-Aged At-Risk Approval Form (external link)
2024-2025 Preschool-Aged At-Risk Program Requirements and Assurances (PDF)

Related Materials 2023-2024
2023-2024 Preschool-Aged At-Risk Program Requirements and Assurances (Updated July 31, 2023) (PDF)

Foundations for School Success (FSS)
FSS User's Guide 2021
FSS Information Sheet
Step by step guide for FSS PreK Surveys

Early Childhood Special Education (Section 619 of Part B of IDEA)

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 members 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 Infant Toddler 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/ Infant/Toddler services locations (external link)
Kansas Infant-Toddler Services (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.”


Early Childhood Special Education Resources

are available on the Kansas State Department of Education/Kansas Technical Assistance Systems Network KSDE/TASN website 
under the TASN project tab: Early Child Special Education.

The compiled resources are organized into the 3 ECSE indicators:
Indicator 6: Preschool Environments (external link)
Indicator 7: Early Childhood Outcomes (PDF)
and Indicator 12: C to B transitions(external link)

It also has a section dedicated to resources specially for ECSE administrators (external link) including indicator fact sheets,
Kansas Integrated Accountability System (KIAS) resources, and ECSE funding resources.

Please contact with Amanda Petersen (apetersen@ksde.org) with any questions.

Information Regarding Kansas PartB/619 Early Childhood Special Education Data/ KSDE SPP/APR webpage
Indicator 6: Preschool Environments resources 
Indicator 7: Early Childhood Outcomes/Outcome Web System 
Indicator 12: Transition from C to B

Technical Assistance Requests/Packets
Technical Assistance System Network (TASN) (external link)
Kansas Inservice Training System (KITS) (external link)

Additional Resources for Parents
Families Together Inc. (external link)
Parent's Rights 
Kansas Parent Information Resource Center (external link)


Kansas Coordinating Council on Early Childhood Developmental Services (State Interagency Coordinating Council) (SICC)

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.


Guidance for Educators

Where Can Early Childhood Educators Look For Employment? (PDF)
Early Childhood Programs/Settings Acceptable as "Accredited Experience" Related to Licensure Upgrade/Renewal (PDF)

Guidance for Administrators

Who Can I Hire as a Teacher/Early Interventionist (PDF)
Which Kansas License works in which Early Childhood Education Setting for Categorical Aid? (PDF)

Page Links

Early Childhood Home Page
    (General information, Webinars)


Early Childhood Director
Amanda Petersen
apetersen@ksde.org

Kansas Parents as Teachers Consultant
Lisa Williams
lwilliams@ksde.org

Early Childhood Special Education Consultant
Position Open 

Early Childhood /State Preschool Programs Consultant
Natalie McClane
nmcclane@ksde.org

SICC (State Interagency Coordinating Council) Consultant
Stacy Clarke
kansasicc@ksde.org

Problems with this webpage Contact
Beccy Strohm
bstrohm@ksde.org
(785) 296-6602

Copyright 2024 by Kansas State Department of Education | 900 SW Jackson St. | Topeka, KS 66612 Privacy Statement  |  Terms Of Use  |  System Maintenance Notices  |  Open Records (PDF)

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.