What is the KS Preschool Program Model?

The Kansas Preschool Program (KPP) represents a vision for future preschool programming in Kansas, which builds on the success of Pre-K Pilot Programs over the past three years. 

Vision:  Families, schools, and communities support and serve children effectively so that all children have the ability to succeed in various learning environments.

Mission:  To provide high-quality learning experiences and comprehensive services to all children ages 3-5 years and their families through a community and school-based, collaborative process that requires braided funding and community partnerships.

Outcome:  Each and every child who participated in the Kansas Preschool Program will enter kindergarten ready to be successful.

Major Components: 

  • Community collaboration
  • High-quality programs
  • Comprehensive services
  • Braided and blended funding from multiple sources
  • Meaningful parent involvement
  • Monitoring and accountability system

Model Requirements:   

  • To meet or exceed 10 nationally-recognized quality standards set by NIEER, the National Institute for Early Education Research,
  • To utilize school and community-based partnerships, and
  • To serve at least 50 percent at-risk children.

I don’t know what we would have done without the preschool this year.  They have helped our whole family.  They have found us food banks and helped with doctor appointments. I live way...

-- Parent, Rossville

By combining state and federal resources, we are able to keep our program more stable and make the most of what we have, to provide the highest level of service.

-- Phyllis Marmon, Director (Rossville), Community Action, Inc., Head Start

The Hamm Early Learning Center is worthwhile and working!  It’s taking a lot of dedication, hard work and collaboration of all the partnerships.

-- Tammy Blaich, M.S., L.C.P., Four County Mental Health, Coffeyville

The inclusion program has helped my son with more than his academics.  His self-esteem is up, he is learning good social skills, and he’s having a fun time doing it.

-- Lexi Amos-Lyddon, Parent, Liberal

Wow! That first day of preschool was a doozy. I questioned whether it was necessary to serve the children both breakfast and lunch. It brought a tear to my eye when one of our staff told me about...

-- Beverly Newton, Director of Food Services, Rossville

It's exciting to enhance our programs for young children by combining our efforts and strengths with other agencies in our community.

-- Laura Cano, Federal Programs Director, Liberal USD

Our bottom line is, ‘Are we doing what’s best for kids and families?'

-- Diane Hensley, Parent and Family Liaison, Liberal USD

Each partner program brought its strengths to our collaboration, so that we find we’re doing better things together than we were doing separately.

-- Ann McCullough, Principal, Kaw Valley USD

In the first two weeks that our son was here, they identified the things he needed help with and came to us... It's just so exciting to see him develop and change and become the little boy that we...

-- Foster Parent, Rossville

I also attend parent meetings now, especially since there is someone to help me.  I come as often as I can.  The meetings are very full of helpful information.

-- Luisa Ensaldo, Parent, Coffeyville

Read more...

Local and state K-12 leaders are finding that collaborating with community-based providers such as Head Start programs, child care centers and faith-based organizations can help them develop and implement high-quality pre-k programs that meet the needs of young children and their families in a comprehensive way.

Read the report, "Beyond the School Yard: Pre-K Collaborations with Community-Based Partners".

 

School districts across the nation are blending preschool classrooms.  Mary Baskett, Executive Director of Kansas Head Start Association, and the Demonstration Learning Communities project are featured on Early Ed Watch, a blog from New America's Early Education Initiative.

Read the article, "All in One Classroom: Blending Head Start and Non-Head Start Students".