Kansas

Overview of Pre-K Program-Kansas Preschool Program: 4 Year Old At-Risk

Program is open to four-year-old children who meet one of the following risk criteria:

Program operates only in public schools.
Funded through a competitive grant process.
School districts receive a per-child allocation of state funds based on enrollment by September 20.
Administered through the Kansas State Department of Education.

Purpose is to promote school readiness through high quality, community based preschool programs.
Program currently available in 14 counties with 12 different pre-k sites.

1998 At-Risk Four-Year-Old Children Preschool Program established.
1999 Kansas Children’s Cabinet is created and will oversee the funds the state receives yearly from the Master Tobacco Settlement. 95% of the money Kansas receives from this settlement is dedicated to improving the lives and outcomes for children and youth in the state.
2007 Kansas increases requirements for the At-Risk Four-Year-Old Children program. Class size is now limited to 20 with required staff to child ratios of 1:10. Also, teachers and teachers’ assistants are now required to complete at least 15 hours of in-service training.
2006 Pre-K Pilot Program is established and targets children from low-income families, as well as children with certain risk factors.
2008 Early Childhood Block Grant is established by the legislature and will be administered through the Kansas Children’s Cabinet.
2009 Four-Year-Old At-Risk Program serves 6,718 children. Pre-K P ilot serves 1,529 children.