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Early childhood experiences lay the foundation for a child’s future academic success. A child’s health and physical well-being, along with the development of cognitive, communication and social-emotional skills, all can be influenced by the community, educational environment, family and the individual child. Effective policies, targeted and appropriate levels of funding, and collaborative systems of support enhance a child’s ability to thrive in learning environments.
The Early Childhood Team at the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) supports local agencies providing early learning opportunities and collaborates with internal and external partners to strengthen early childhood in Kansas. Early childhood spans birth to age 8 (third grade). Our goal is that each student enters kindergarten at age 5 socially, emotionally and academically prepared for success.
January 7 2021 KSDE Early Childhood Update (PDF) December 18 2020 KSDE Early Childhood Update (PDF) December 2 2020 KSDE Early Childhood Update(PDF) November 3 2020 KSDE Early Childhood Update (PDF) October 9 2020 KSDE Early Childhood Webinar Follow-Up (PDF) October 7 2020 KSDE Early Childhood Update (PDF) September 15 2020 KSDE Early Childhood Webinar Follow-up (PDF) September 3 2020 KSDE Early Childhood Update (PDF) August 18 2020 KSDE Early Childhood Webinar Follow-up (PDF) August 12 All in for Kansas Kids Webinar Takeaways – Putting Guidance into Practice (PDF) August 11 2020 KSDE Early Childhood Update (PDF)
Preschool-Aged At-Risk Program Preschool-Aged At-Risk Program Approval Form for 2021-2022 (PDF) Preschool-Aged At-Risk Program Approval Qualtrics Survey
Kansas Parents As Teachers Kansas Parents as Teachers Grant Renewal Application for 2021-2022 (PDF) Budget Page for the Kansas Parents as Teachers Grant Renewal Application for 2021-2022 (Word) Assurances Page for the Kansas Parents as Teachers Grant Renewal Application for 2021-2022 (PDF) Kansas Parents as Teachers Common Application Portal (external link)
Kansas Preschool Pilot Grant Kansas Preschool Pilot Request for Proposals for 2021-2022 (PDF) Kansas Preschool Pilot (KPP) Request for Proposals (RFP) for SY2021-2022 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS – Updated Jan 22 (PDF) Kansas Preschool Pilot Assurances for 2021-2022 (PDF) Kansas Preschool Pilot Budget Template - Updated Jan 13 (Excel) Kansas Preschool Pilot Common Application Portal (external link)
Kansas CommonApp Technical Assistance Webinar (external link)
Kansas has the opportunity to shape our state’s future direction for early childhood. In 2019 thousands of Kansans informed a comprehensive needs assessment of early care and education programs and services. This led to development of the All in for Kansas Kids strategic plan. Now early childhood partners are working together to put this plan into action. The federal Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five provides funding for these activities. Visit https://kschildrenscabinet.org/early-childhood/ to learn more and get involved.
This evidence-based affiliate model provides parents with the skills and knowledge they need to help make informed decisions regarding their child’s education. KSDE serves as the State Office to support local programs in implementing the KPAT model. The Kansas Parents as Teachers page has more information https://www.ksde.org/Default.aspx?tabid=534.
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: the Preschool-Aged At-Risk (State Pre-K 4 Year Old At-Risk) program, the Kansas Preschool Pilot, and Early Childhood Special Education (Section 619 of Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Act). While these programs each have unique requirements, KSDE encourages local districts to offer services that support the needs of each student in inclusive environments. KSDE also hosts the State Interagency Coordinating Council (SICC), which is responsible for advising and assisting the Kansas governor and legislature on matters that impact Kansas families with children ages birth to 5 who have, or are at risk for, developmental delays. For more information about Preschool Programs https://www.ksde.org/Default.aspx?tabid=555.
To advance kindergarten readiness in Kansas, all Kansas kindergarten classrooms are utilizing a new tool to better understand students’ development. The Ages & Stages Questionnaires, Third Edition (ASQ-3) and the Ages & Stages Questionnaires: Social-Emotional, Second Edition (ASQ: SE-2) provide a snapshot of children’s developmental milestones. The Kindergarten Readiness page has more information.
The KSDE Early Childhood Team offers monthly Zoom meetings which are opportunities for discussion among the Early Childhood Administrators. Zoom links for each meeting are included in the Early Childhood Updates listed above and sent out through Early Learning 0-8 Listserv emails. The meetings are not recorded, but there is an Early Childhood Follow-up posted the following Monday after the meeting.
If you have a topic you would like us to cover, we would love to hear from you! Please email earlylearning@ksde.org with your ideas and feedback, or answer the questions in the Zoom registration..
All webinars begin at 11:00 A.M. CST:
Past webinars and material.
August 18, 2018 (Adobe Connect) / materials (pdf) October 19, 2018 (Adobe Connect) / materials (pdf) November 16, 2018 (Adobe Connect) / materials (pdf) February 15, 2019 / materials (pdf) April 15, 2019 / materials(pdf) May 3, 2019 / materials (pdf) August 16, 2019 / materials (pdf) September 27, 2019 / materials (pdf) October 18, 2019 / materials (pdf) November 15, 2019 / materials (pdf) January 10, 2020 / materials (pdf) February 14, 2020 / materials (pdf) / additional 2020 Census materials (pdf) April 10, 2020 / materials May 8, 2020 / materials (pdf)
The KSDE Early Childhood Team regularly shares information on the Early Learning listserv, including reminders and updates for webinars. You can join the listserv by emailing Beccy Strohm: bstrohm@ksde.org.
Early Childhood Home Page (General information, Webinars)
Early Childhood Director Amanda Petersen apetersen@ksde.org
Early Childhood / Kansas Parents as Teachers Consultant Nis Wilbur nwilbur@ksde.org
Early Childhood Special Education Consultant Julie R. Rand jrand@ksde.org
Early Childhood /State Preschool Programs Consultant Natalie McClane nmcclane@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
KSDE Early Childhood Team Fact Sheet (PDF) updated 2019 Kindergarten Readiness Snapshot Fact Sheet (PDF) updated 2019
Resources
Kansas Early Learning Standards (PDF) Kansas Early Learning Standards Toolkit (External Link) 2019 Kansas Family Engagement and Partnership Standards for Early Childhood(PDF) Kansas Prekindergarten Guide (PDF) Kansas Quality Network (External Link) Kindergarten In Kansas (PDF) Kindergarten En Kansas (Spanish Version) (PDF) Kansas Full Day Kindergarten Guide (PDF)
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 785-296-3201.