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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 program, the Kansas Preschool Pilot grant, 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 combined classrooms supported by multiple funding sources.
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.
KSDE is glad to support districts in preschool budgeting. The following early childhood funding resources may be helpful: 2024 Summer Budget Workshops - Early Childhood Funding information (PDF) 2025-2026 Preschool Revenue Calculator and Budget Template (Updated December 17, 2024) (Excel) Preschool Revenue Calculator and Budget Template Users Guide (Updated June 14, 2024) (PDF) 2024 KSDE TASN Summer Leadership Conference Slides-including Preschool Funding (PDF)
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 (natalie.mcclane@ksde.gov) 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.
The 2025-2026 Preschool-Aged At-Risk Approval Form is now open! Updated Approval Forms must be completed and submitted by April 3, 2025.
Preschool-Aged At-Risk 2024-2025 2024-2025 Approved Preschool-Aged At-Risk programs List 2024-2025 Preschool-Aged At-Risk Program Requirements and Assurances (PDF)
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.
2025-2026 Kansas Preschool Pilot Grants 2025-2026 Kansas Preschool PIlot grant awards approved by the Kansas State Board of Education in February 2025 (external link) 2025-2026 Kansas Preschool Pilot (KPP) Grant Requirements and Application (PDF)
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
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 the Early Childhood Special Education Part B Contact List for Indicators 6, 7 & 12 (PDF). Share contact updates with Beccy Strohm: beccy.strohm@ksde.gov.
All Kansas infants and toddlers (birth to age 3) are entitled to a free developmental evaluation to determine if they are eligible for early intervention services. Children who qualify can receive no-cost, in-home, early intervention services for developmental delays or disabilities. In Kansas the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) administers Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Visit www.itsofks.org to find your local program.
are available on the Kansas State Department of Education / Kansas Technical Assistance Systems Network website, ksdetasn.org, under the TASN Projects tab, KSDE Early Chilhood Special Education. The compiled resources are organized into the three Early Childhood Special Educatiion indicators: KSDETASN Indicator 6: Preschool Environments (external link) Federal Policy Statement: Inclusion of Children with Disabilities in Early Childhood Programs (November 2023) (external link) KSDETASN Indicator 7: Early Childhood Outcomes (external link) KSDETASN Indicator 12: C to B transitions (external link)
Data Resources for State Performance Plan / Annual Performance Report (SPP/APR) Indicator 6: Preschool Environments SPP/APR Resources Indicator 7: Preschool Outcomes SPP/APR Resources Indicator 12: Early Childhood Transition from C to B SPP/APR Resources
Additional Resources for Families Families Together Inc. (external link) KSDE Parents Rights Resources 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 kansasicc.ksde.gov (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 Amanda.Petersen@ksde.gov
Parents as Teachers Coordinator Lisa Williams Lisa.Williams@ksde.gov
Early Childhood Special Education Coordinator Position Filled starting July 1st, 2025
Preschool Programs Coordinator Natalie McClane Natalie.McClane@ksde.gov
State Interagency Coordinating Council Coordinator Stacy Clarke kansasicc@ksde.gov
Data Coordinator Trevor Huffman Trevor.Huffman@ksde.gov
For problems with this webpage Please Contact Beccy Strohm Beccy.Strohm@ksde.gov (785) 296-6602
Kindergarten Readiness Resources Fact Sheet (PDF) updated March 2025 Kansas Kindergarten Readiness Snapshot Fact Sheet (Spring 2025) (PDF)
kels.ksde.gov 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.gov or by 785-296-3201.