Kentucky

Overview of Pre-K Program-Kentucky Preschool Program

Program is open to all four year olds whose families earn up to 150% of the Federal Poverty Level and three and four-year-old children with special needs.
Funds are allocated to school districts through a school funding formula.
Districts may then contract with private centers, Head Start programs and special education providers to provide preschool to eligible children.
Administered through the Division of Early Childhood Development within the Kentucky Department of Education.

1990 Kentucky Preschool Program created through the Kentucky Education Reform Act of 1990. Program is open to all four-year old children in families earning up to 130% of the Federal Poverty Level and to three and four year olds with special needs.
1999 Early Childhood Task Force is created with a goal of developing a long-term early childhood strategy for Kentucky.
2000 Kentucky launches KIDS NOW (Kentucky Invests in Developing Success Now), focused on supporting families and young children and improving early care and education programs.
2004 Division of Early Childhood Development is created within the Kentucky DOE, providing unified administration for the Kentucky Preschool Program, KIDS NOW, and the Head Start Collaboration Office.
2005 all pre-k teachers now required to hold a bachelor’s degree plus the Kentucky Early Childhood Teaching
2006 Income eligibility guideline changed to 150% of the FPL.
2009 Program serves 21,485 children with programs in every school district.