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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. Click here for the 22-23 Early Childhood Calendar of Events - updated January 24, 2023 Dates are subject to change.
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.
2023-2024 Kansas Preschool Pilot Renewal Grants KSDEweekly Update – Preschool Funding Resources for 2023-2024 – November 10, 2022 2023-2024 Kansas Preschool Pilot (KPP) Grant Requirements (Updated July 31, 2023) (PDF) 2024-2025 Preschool Revenue Calculator and Budget Template (Updated July 20, 2023) (Excel) Preschool Revenue Calculator and Budget Template Users Guide (updated Jan 25, 2023) (PDF) Dec. 14, 2022 Slides – Overview of 2023-2024 Preschool Funding Resources, Including Revenue Calculator and Budget Template (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
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 2023-2024 school year is now available. All 3-and 4-year-old students who meet at least one 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 2023-2024 2023-2024 Preschool-Aged At-Risk Approval Form (external link) 2023-2024 Preschool-Aged At-Risk Program Requirements and Assurances (Updated July 31, 2023) (PDF)
Related Materials 2022-2023 2022-2023 Preschool-Aged At-Risk Approval Form(external link) 2022-2023 Preschool-Aged At-Risk Program Requirements and Assurances-Feb 28, 2022 (PDF)
Foundations for School Success (FSS) FSS User's Guide 2021 FSS Information Sheet Step by step guide for FSS PreK Surveys
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.
Early Childhood Special Education Part B Contact List for Indicators 6, 7 & 12
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 locattions (external link) Kansas Infant-Toddler Services (external link)
Special Education evaluation teams are urged to consider a general education preschool environment whenever possible due to the preponderance of research documenting the positive outcomes for both children with disabilities as well as for children without disabilities.
Joint Policy Statement on Inclusion of Children with Disabilities in Early Childhood Programs (external PDF) U.S. Department of Education Dear Colleague Letter (external PDF)
Children with IEPs will not generate Preschool-Aged At-Risk funding, but will generate the equivalent of 0.5 FTEs of Special Education funding. The appropriate teacher-to-child ratio must be maintained (not to exceed 20 students per classroom with a ratio of 1:10).
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)
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.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
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
KSDE Early Childhood Team Fact Sheet (PDF) updated 2019 Kindergarten Readiness Resources Fact Sheet (PDF) updated March 2023 2023 Kindergarten Readiness Snapshot (ASQ) Fact Sheet (PDF) Updated August 2023
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) Kansas Full Day Kindergarten Guide (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, 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.