Early Childhood

The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) supports local agencies offering early learning services, partners with other agencies to promote school readiness and shares early childhood resources to support families, educators and communities. A child's earliest years are an incredible opportunity to support later success. More than 90% of a child's brain architecture develops by age five. Families are children's first and most important teachers. Many Kansas families partner with early childhood care and education programs to support their children's learning. Call 1-800-CHILDREN or visit 1800childrenks.org (external link) for 24/7 assistance in finding resources and services in your community.

The Kansas PreKindergarten Guide (PDF) and the Kansas Kindergarten Guide (PDF) provide teachers, providers, principals and administrators with common information about high-quality programming.

The website Child Care in Kansas (external link) includes information for families, child care providers, employers, and communities regarding quality child care.

The All In For Kansas Kids needs assessments and strategic plan map our state's future direction for early childhood. Since 2019, thousands of Kansans have shared their experiences and perspectives about the needs of young Kansas children and their families. Now early childhood partners are working together to put this plan into action. Visit the Kansas Children's Cabinet and Trust Fund website to learn more and get involved (external link).

Kansas Early Learning Standards

Kansas Early Learning Standards provides early childhood standards to providers and teachers, including kindergarten standards. Visit Kels.ksde.gov.

Kindergarten Readiness

Kindergarten readiness means that communities, educational environments, families and children are prepared for a successful start to the school year.

Kansas Parents as Teachers

Parents as Teachers is a voluntary home visiting program offering research-based curricula that help families of children prenatal through kindergarten entry raise children to be healthy, safe, and learning.

Preschool Programming

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 Education Act (IDEA)).

Early Childhood Special Education

Section 619 of Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education 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)

Kansas Coordinating Council on Early Childhood Developmental Services (SICC)

The Kansas State Interagency Coordinating Council (SICC) 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.

Early Childhood Updates:

The KSDE Early Childhood team regularly shares updates in KSDEweekly, the weekly newsletter that is the one-stop source for KSDE news and information. Sign up on the Newsletter Registration (external link) to get KSDEweekly in your inbox. Email ksdeweekly@ksde.gov with questions, comments or story ideas.

For information on early childhood, contact:

Amanda Petersen
(785) 296-7929

Kansas leads the world in the success of each student.

900 S.W. Jackson Street, Suite 102
Topeka, Kansas 66612-1212
(785) 296-3201

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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. For more information, visit our grievance procedure page.

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.