Early Learning

The Neighborhood Pre-K program serves students ages 3-5 and 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 Coop is limited to families meeting Income Eligibility Criteria

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

This website is supported by Grant Number 7CH012381 from the Office of Head Start within the Administration for Children and Families, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Neither the Administration for Children and Families nor any of its components operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse this website (including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and any services or tools provided). The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed are those of Mid America Regional Council and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Administration for Children and Families and the Office of Head Start.

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. 

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

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 (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
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