Early Childhood Education — Missouri K-12 Education Reference

Table of Contents

1. Missouri Early Childhood Landscape
2. Missouri Preschool Program (MPP)
3. Head Start / Early Head Start
4. First Steps (IDEA Part C)
5. Parents as Teachers (PAT)
6. Kindergarten Transition
7. Developmental Screening
8. Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE)
9. Child Care Licensing & Quality
10. Early Childhood Workforce
11. Funding Sources
12. Family Support Programs

1. Missouri Early Childhood Landscape

Key Programs by Age

Missouri's Mixed-Delivery System

Missouri does not have universal Pre-K. Early childhood services are delivered through a mix of public schools, Head Start, community-based child care, faith-based programs, and family child care homes. Access varies significantly by geography and income.

2. Missouri Preschool Program (MPP)

Overview

DESE-administered competitive grant program providing preschool services to at-risk 3- and 4-year-olds in public school settings.

Eligibility (Student)

At-risk factors include:

• Family income at or below 185% Federal Poverty Level
• Developmental delay or disability
• Limited English proficiency
• Teen parent
• Parents without high school diploma/GED
• Child in foster care or experiencing homelessness
• Other risk factors identified by the district

Program Requirements

• Minimum 3.5 hours/day, 5 days/week, 170 days/year (full-day encouraged)
• Maximum class size: 20 students with a teacher and a paraprofessional
• Teacher must hold a valid Missouri teaching certificate with early childhood certification (Birth-Grade 3 or equivalent)
• Curriculum must be evidence-based and developmentally appropriate
• Comprehensive services: screening, family engagement, health referrals, transition planning
• Data reporting through MOSIS

MPP Standards

Programs must align to Missouri's Early Learning Goals (birth to kindergarten entry):

• Social-Emotional Development
• Language and Literacy
• Mathematics
• Science
• Social Studies
• Physical Development
• Fine Arts

3. Head Start / Early Head Start

Federal Program (Administration for Children and Families)

Head Start: serves children ages 3-5 from families at or below 100% FPL (and other categorical eligibility: homeless, foster care, TANF, SSI)

Early Head Start: serves pregnant women, infants, and toddlers (birth to age 3) from families at or below 100% FPL

Head Start Performance Standards

• Comprehensive child development program (education, health, nutrition, family engagement, disability services, mental health)
• Class size: 17-20 (Head Start), 8 (Early Head Start center-based)
• Teacher qualifications: Head Start requires at minimum an associate's degree in early childhood education (bachelor's preferred/required for some programs)
• Dual-language learners: instruction in home language when feasible
• At least 10% of enrollment slots reserved for children with disabilities
• Parent governance through Policy Councils

Missouri Head Start Programs

Multiple Head Start grantees across Missouri, including Community Action Agencies, school districts, and independent nonprofits. Services concentrated in high-poverty urban and rural areas.

Head Start-School District Coordination

• Head Start and school districts should coordinate transition to kindergarten
• Head Start children with disabilities may receive services through the school district (Part B/619)
• MOUs between Head Start and LEAs are encouraged for service coordination

4. First Steps (IDEA Part C)

Missouri's Early Intervention System

First Steps serves infants and toddlers (birth to age 3) with developmental delays or conditions likely to result in developmental delay.

Referral

• Anyone can make a referral (parent, doctor, child care provider, etc.)
• Central referral point: First Steps helpline
• Referral should occur as soon as a concern is identified
• 45-day timeline from referral to IFSP (Individualized Family Service Plan)

Eligibility

A child is eligible if they demonstrate:

• A 50% delay in one or more developmental areas, OR
• A 25% delay in two or more developmental areas, OR
• A diagnosed condition with high probability of developmental delay (e.g., Down syndrome, hearing loss, vision impairment, cerebral palsy)

Developmental Areas

1. Cognitive development
2. Physical development (including vision and hearing)
3. Communication development
4. Social-emotional development
5. Adaptive development (self-help skills)

IFSP (Individualized Family Service Plan)

• Family-centered (focused on family's priorities, resources, and concerns)
• Natural environments (services delivered in the child's typical setting — home, child care, community)
• Service coordination: each family is assigned a Service Coordinator
• Services may include: special instruction, speech-language therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, audiology, vision services, family training/counseling, assistive technology
• Reviewed every 6 months; new IFSP developed annually
• Services at no cost to families (regardless of income)

Transition from Part C to Part B

• Transition planning must begin at least 90 days before the child's 3rd birthday
• LEA is notified of potentially eligible children
• Transition conference (First Steps, family, LEA) held to discuss next steps
• If child is eligible for Part B: school district develops an IEP effective by the child's 3rd birthday
• If child is NOT eligible for Part B: family is connected to other community resources
• No gap in services between Part C and Part B

5. Parents as Teachers (PAT)

Missouri's Signature Program

Founded in Missouri in 1981; now a national and international model. Missouri remains the only state with a statutory mandate for PAT availability in every school district.

Statutory Basis

RSMo 178.691-178.699 — Early Childhood Development Act

Services

• Personal visits: certified parent educators visit families at home (monthly or more frequently for high-need families)
• Group connections: parent group meetings for social connection and learning
• Developmental screening: Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ-3) and ASQ:SE-2
• Resource network: referrals to community resources for identified needs

Eligibility

PAT is available to all families with children prenatal through kindergarten entry. No income requirement. However, state funding prioritizes at-risk families.

PAT Foundational Curriculum

Evidence-based curriculum covering: parent-child interaction, developmental-centered parenting, family well-being. Approved by the PAT National Center as an evidence-based home visiting model (MIECHV-approved).

PAT in Missouri Schools

• Most school districts operate a PAT program
• Funded through a combination of state early childhood funding (RSMo 163.011), MIECHV grants, and local funds
• Parent educators must complete PAT certification training
• Programs must meet PAT National Center quality standards for affiliation

6. Kindergarten Transition

Kindergarten Entry Age

• Child must turn 5 by August 1 to enter kindergarten (RSMo 160.053)
• Early entry: parents may request assessment for children who turn 5 after August 1; district establishes assessment process

Kindergarten Readiness Assessment

• Administered to all entering kindergarteners in the fall (first weeks of school)
• Domains: language/literacy, mathematics, social-emotional, physical development
• Purpose: instructional planning, NOT gatekeeping or eligibility determination
• Data contributes to MSIP 6 school quality indicators

Transition Planning Best Practices

1. Spring transition meetings between preschool/Pre-K providers and kindergarten teachers
2. Kindergarten orientation events for families
3. Home visits by kindergarten teachers (some districts)
4. Staggered entry schedules (first days of school)
5. Information packets for families (school expectations, routines, supplies, bus procedures)
6. Special attention to transitions for children with IEPs, ELLs, foster care, and homeless children

Full-Day vs. Half-Day Kindergarten

Missouri does not mandate full-day kindergarten. Most districts now offer full-day programs, but some rural districts still operate half-day due to space or funding constraints.

7. Developmental Screening

Universal Screening Recommendations

DESE and AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) recommend developmental screening at:

• 9 months, 18 months, and 30 months (medical home)
• School entry (kindergarten readiness assessment)
• Additional screenings as needed based on parent/teacher concern

Common Screening Tools Used in Missouri

Screening vs. Evaluation

• Screening: brief, universal, identifies children who may need further evaluation; does NOT diagnose or determine eligibility
• Evaluation: comprehensive, individualized, determines eligibility for services (First Steps, special education, gifted, ELL)
• Screening flags → referral for evaluation → eligibility determination → service delivery

Child Find Obligation

IDEA requires school districts to identify, locate, and evaluate ALL children with disabilities from birth through age 21, including children in private schools, homeschool, and those not yet enrolled (34 CFR §300.111). This is the Child Find mandate.

8. Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE)

Part B/Section 619 (Ages 3-5)

School districts are responsible for providing FAPE to eligible children with disabilities beginning at age 3.

ECSE Eligibility

Same 13 IDEA disability categories as school-age, PLUS:

• Young Child with a Developmental Delay (YC-DD): for children ages 3-5 who demonstrate developmental delays but may not yet meet criteria for a specific disability category. Must be reclassified or exited before the child's 6th birthday.

ECSE Service Settings (LRE Continuum)

ECSE Best Practices

• Inclusive settings whenever appropriate (LRE)
• Play-based, developmentally appropriate instruction
• Embedded instruction (teaching within daily routines and activities)
• Family-centered approach
• Collaboration between ECSE teachers, related service providers, and general early childhood educators
• Data-based decision making using curriculum-based assessment

9. Child Care Licensing & Quality

Missouri Child Care Licensing (DHSS)

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) licenses child care facilities:

Quality Rating System

Missouri participates in Quality Rating and Improvement Systems (QRIS) — called Quality Assured (administered by the Child Care Aware of Missouri network):

• Programs voluntarily participate
• Ratings based on: staff qualifications, curriculum, environment, family engagement, business practices
• Higher quality ratings may qualify for enhanced subsidy reimbursement rates

Child Care Subsidy

Missouri provides child care subsidies for eligible families through the Child Care Subsidy Program (DHSS):

• Income eligibility based on Federal Poverty Level and family size
• Co-payments based on income
• Families must be working, in school, or in job training
• Subsidies can be used at licensed or registered providers

10. Early Childhood Workforce

Certification for School-Based Programs

• Birth-Grade 3 Certificate: required for school-based Pre-K teachers and kindergarten teachers
• Early Childhood Special Education Certificate: required for ECSE teachers
• Paraprofessionals in school-based Pre-K must meet ESSA requirements (60 hours, associate's, or assessment)

Community-Based Workforce

• Child care center staff: DHSS licensing requires basic training hours (clock hours in child development, health/safety, CPR/First Aid)
• Center directors: additional training and experience requirements
• CDA (Child Development Associate) credential encouraged but not required by state licensing
• Low wages remain a critical challenge (Missouri child care worker median wage significantly below K-12 teacher salary)

Professional Development Resources

• Child Care Aware of Missouri: training, coaching, consultation
• DESE's Office of Childhood: professional development for school-based programs
• T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Missouri: scholarship program for early childhood professionals pursuing higher education
• PAT National Center: parent educator certification and continuing education

11. Funding Sources

12. Family Support Programs

Home Visiting Programs in Missouri

WIC (Women, Infants, and Children)

Federal nutrition program providing supplemental food, nutrition education, and referrals for pregnant/postpartum women and children up to age 5.

Missouri Family Support Division (FSD)

• SNAP (food assistance)
• TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)
• Child care subsidy referral
• MO HealthNet (Medicaid) for children

Child Abuse Prevention

• Prevent Child Abuse Missouri: community-based prevention programs
• Safe Sleep education: DHSS Safe Sleep initiative
• Mandated reporting education for early childhood providers