The KCPS Early Learning System offers opportunities for students from birth to five-years-old. Early Learning includes two Montessori locations, three Head Start locations, ten Pre-Kindergarten locations, and the Parents as Teachers Program.
Pre-K Locations SY 24-25PDF
Early Learning Programs
- Pre-K
- Pre-K at Elementary Sites
- Pre-K at Cooperative Sites
- Head Start
- Pre-K at Head Start Sites
- Montessori
- Pre-K at Montessori Sites
Pre-K
The Neighborhood Pre-K program serves students ages 3-5and promotes independent learning and exploration to provide students the tools needed to enter Kindergarten ready to learn and to help your child grow as a lifelong learner. Students must be three, four or five years old on or before July 31 to qualify for Pre-K.
Educational opportunities are presented which are aligned to the Missouri Early Learning Standards. In order to ensure only high-quality educational programming is used in Pre-K classrooms, all curriculum is approved by MO DESE for use with Pre-K aged children. Our program offerings vary by school and are listed below by location.
Pre-K at Elementary Sites
Locations with P3 & P4 Classes Offered
J.A. Rogers Elementary
6400 E 23rd St.
Kansas City, MO 64129
816-418-4770
Garfield Elementary
436 Prospect Ave.
Kansas City, MO 64124
816-418-3600
Phillis Wheatley Elementary
2415 Agnes Ave.
Kansas City, MO 64127
816-418-4825
Primitivo Garcia Elementary
1000 W. 17th St.
Kansas City, MO 64108
(816) 418-8725
James Elementary
5810 Scarritt Ave.
Kansas City, MO 64123
816-418-3700
African-Centered Preparatory Academy
6410 Swope Pkwy.
Kansas City, MO 64132
(816) 418-1175
Trailwoods Elementary
6201 E 17th St.
Kansas City, MO 64126
816-418-3250
Locations with only P4 Classes Offered
Pitcher Elementary
9915 E 38th Terrace.
Kansas City, MO 64133
816-418-4550
P4 only
John T. Hartman Elementary
8111 Oak St.
Kansas City, MO 64114
816-418-1750
Hale Cook Elementary
7302 Pennsylvania Ave.
Kansas City, MO 64114
816-418-1600
Pre-K at Cooperative Sites
Pre-K Coop is limited to families meeting Income Eligibility Criteria:
Emmanuel Family & Child Care Center partners with KCPS providing no cost Pre-K for income eligible three and four-year-olds.
- The current partner school is Carver Dual Language providing Dual language Spanish & English Pre-K.
- For more information contact (816) 861-1270 or go to http://emmanuelschildcare.org/
*Pre-K Students at Emmanuel are automatically enrolled in Carver Dual Language for Kindergarten. If preferred, students can change to the elementary school in their boundary zone or choose a different signature school option during the priority enrollment window.
P3 & P4 classes offered.
Operation Breakthrough partners with KCPS for no cost Pre-K for income eligible four-year-olds.
- The current partner school is Wendell Phillips for Pre-K.
- For more information contact (816) 756-3511 or go to https://operationbreakthrough.org/
*Pre-K Students at Operation Breakthrough/Wendell Phillips are automatically enrolled in Kindergarten in theelementary school in their boundary zone, families can apply for Kindergarten in a Signature Schooloption during the priority enrollment window.
P4 classes offered.
Head Start
Head Start is one of the most successful and longest-running national school readiness programs in the United States. Using a “whole child” model, Head Start is designed to increase kindergarten readiness and socialization in children ages 3 to 5. This is accomplished through a rich preschool learning environment, combined with social-emotional wellness, health, nutrition, crisis intervention and family engagement services. This program is based on income eligibility, please see these guidelines.
What is the curriculum used in the Head Start Programs?
Head Start uses the Project Construct Curriculum, which is based on the idea that ‘hands-on, minds-on’ learning experiences help students with core content instruction as well as learning how to work together with adults and peers. Project Construct® is an approved curriculum by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and is aligned to the Head Start and Missouri Early Learning Goals that support kindergarten readiness. Head Start also utilizes the Project Approach, Conscious Discipline® and Trauma Smart®.
Head Start Parent Handbook - English Head Start Parent Handbook - Spanish
Pre-K at Head Start Sites
Richardson Early Learning Center
3515 Park Avenue
Kansas City, MO 64109
(816) 418-2600
P3 & P4 classes offered
Woodland Early Learning Center
711 Woodland Ave.
Kansas City, MO 64106
(816) 418-5900
P3 & P4 classes offered
Central Early Head Start
3221 Indiana Ave.
Kansas City, MO 64128
(816) 418-2000
Montessori
This program for 3- and 4-year-olds is a method of education helping young learners by developing qualities of self-worth, order, concentration, coordination and independence. Emphasizing independence, it supports children naturally eager for knowledge and capable of initiating learning in a sufficiently supportive and well-prepared learning environment.Children who are age 3 when entering the program are classified as P3. Children who are age 4 when entering the program are classified as P4.
Pre-K at Montessori Sites
Border Star Montessori
6321 Wornall Road
Kansas City, Missouri 64113
Phone: 816-418-5150
P3 & P4 classes offered
Holliday Montessori
7227 Jackson Ave.
Kansas City, Missouri 64132
Phone: 816-418-1950
P3 & P4 classes offered
MORE PRESCHOOL PROGRAMS
- Early Head Start
- Parents as Teachers Program
- Success by Six Center
- Early Childhood Special Education
Early Head Start
Early Head Start
The Early Head Start (EHS) program is uniquely designed to meet the comprehensive needs of teen parents and their children. This program has two classrooms at Central High School, serving sixteen infants and toddlers.
Central Early Head Start
3221 Indiana Ave.
Kansas City, Missouri 64128
Phone: 816-418-2000
Learn More
Parents as Teachers Program
This program is a parenting education and family support program serving families throughout pregnancy until their child enters kindergarten. The program is operated in the family’s home and various locations throughout the school system.
PAT Offices
1215 E Truman Road
Kansas City, MO 64106
Phone: 816-418-5245
pateachers@kcpublicschools.org
PAT Website
Success by Six Center
Success by Six Center
Success by Six (SB6) is a United Way program offering age appropriate toy and book lending, and on-site child development activities for parents with young children.
Success By Six
Early Childhood Special Education
Early Childhood Special Education
This program serves students ages 3-5 (not Kindergarten eligible) who meet the eligibility criteria to be identified as a student with a disability under the Individuals with Disability Education Act (IDEA)and the Missouri State Plan. For more information, please contact the Early Childhood Special Education office at (816) 418-5292.
For more information or referrals, please contract the Special Education department.
The program has high minute classrooms at the following locations:
Gladstone Elementary School
335 N. Elmwood
Kansas City, Missouri 64123
Phone: (816) 418-3953
Holliday Montessori
7227 Jackson Ave.
Kansas City, Missouri 64132
Phone: (816) 418-1950
Richardson Early Learning Center
3515 Park Ave.
Kansas City, MO 64109
Phone: (816) 418-2600
Woodland Early Learning Center
711 Woodland Ave.
Kansas City, Missouri 64106
Phone: (816) 418-5900