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Members of the Early Childhood team have responsibilities including coordinating the many early childhood programs located in KSDE, providing Technical Assistance to early childhood personnel in programs across the state, and participating in meetings, coordinating councils, and conferences that occur across Kansas. Early childhood include the continuum of birth to age eight (3rd grade).
The Early Childhood team through leadership and partnership, advances the provision of high quality early childhood and family services that result in the ability of all young children to succeed in school and life.
This is the third revision of the Kansas Early Learning Standards and is aligned with the K-12 College and Career Ready Standards. These standards are to be used to support the learning and development of young children ages birth to kindergarten and will also support the work of teachers in kindergarten through third grade, clearly showing the continuum of learning from birth through grade three. The Kansas Early Learning Standards are not an assessment or a curriculum and are not to be used to keep children out of a program. These standards can help educators and home visitors address the needs of the children in their care.
Kansas Early Learning Standards (PDF)
Kansas Coordinating Council on Early Childhood Developmental Services Kansas Infant Toddler Services (Part C of IDEA) USDE Policy Statement on Expulsion and Suspension Policies in Early Childhood Settings (external PDF) Kansas Family Engagement and Partnership Standards for Early Childhood (external link)
Documents: Kindergarten In Kansas (PDF) Early Childhood Programs At A Glance (PDF) Birth to Five: Finding Programs that meet your needs (PDF)
The Kansas State Department of Education’s Early Childhood Team is pleased to announce the release of applications to provide early learning opportunities during the 2019-2020 school year.
Districts are eligible to apply for all three early learning funding opportunities: Kansas Parents as Teachers, the State Pre-K Four Year Old At-Risk program, and the Kansas Preschool Pilot. Community partners are eligible to apply for the Kansas Preschool Pilot.
All applications must be received (completed, documents uploaded, and submitted) no later than 5:00 p.m. on March 8, 2019.
For each application you are interested in, the Kansas State Department of Education recommends:
SurveyMonkey is used for grant submission, including uploading of required documents.
Questions regarding the applications may be sent to earlylearning@ksde.org
Kansas Early Learning Grants Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)
Kansas Parents as Teachers (Kansas PAT) SY2019-2020 Grant Template (Word) / Layout (PDF) / Application Link (external link)
State Pre-K 4 Year Old At Risk SY2019-2020 Application Template (Word) / Layout (PDF) / Application Link (external link)
Kansas Preschool Program SY2019-2020 Application Template (Word) / Layout (PDF) / Application Link (external link)
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)
For early learning providers and administrators during school year 2017-18. There will be opportunities for questions and the webinars will be recorded for future reference or for those unable to attend. Participants will be asked to log in at https://ksde-tasn-webinar.adobeconnect.com/kansas_elk_webinar to view and download materials and engage with presenters. There will be opportunities for questions and the web meeting will be recorded for future reference or for those unable to attend. Please find a schedule of dates and topics on the TASN website: https://ksdetasn.org/resources/1929
August 18, 2018 (Adobe Connect) / materials (pdf) September 21, 2018 (Adobe Connect) / materials (pdf) October 19, 2018 (Adobe Connect) / materials (pdf) November 16, 2018 (Adobe Connect) / materials (pdf) January 11, 2019 (Adobe Connect) / materials (pdf) February 15, 2019 (Adobe Connect) / materials (pdf) April 15, 2019 (Adobe Connect) May 3, 2019 (Adobe Connect)
Early Childhood Home Page (General information, Webinars)
Early Childhood Team Director Amanda Petersen apetersen@ksde.org
Early Childhood / Kansas Parents as Teachers Consultant Nis Wilbur nwilbur@ksde.org
Early Childhood Special Education Consultant Natalie McClane nmcclane@ksde.org
Kindergarten Readiness Coordinator Julie Ewing jewing@ksde.org
Kansas Coordinating Council on Early Childhood Developmental Services (SICC – State Interagency Coordinating Council) Jordan Christian jchristian@ksde.org
Problems with this webpage Beccy Strohm bstrohm@ksde.org (785) 296-6602
Kindergarten Readiness Snapshot Fact Sheet (PDF) updated 2019 Early Learning Fact Sheet (PDF) updated 2018
Early Learning Factoids
Main Team Page Special Education Title Services Announcements Fact Sheets Kansas Integrated Accountability System (KIAS) Kansas Multi-Tier System of Supports (MTSS) (external link) Kansas’ Technical Assistance System Network (TASN) (external link)
Problems with this page contact: Evelyn Alden 785-296-3868 ealden@ksde.org
The Kansas State Department of Education does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, 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 ogc@ksde.org or by 785-296-3204.