Smart Start or Reno/Rice Counties
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  • Nearly 700,000 children are growing up in Kansas.
  • The Statehouse in Topeka is focused on making our next generation a priority. Among their work this year is included providing access to quality learning programs—like Early HeadStart, PreK programs, and Parents as Teachers.
  • The Statehouse in Topeka is focused on making our next generation a priority. Among their work this year is included providing access to affordable child care through the Child Care Assistance Program
  • The Statehouse in Topeka is focused on making our next generation a priority. Among their work this year includes addressing Childhood Obesity
 

Kansas Preschool Program

Kansas Preschool Programs Prepare Students

Check out what is happening in the Kansas Preschool Program
 
Effective preschool programs capitalize on a time when children's brains are rapidly developing, laying a foundation of social skills, knowledge, and self-confidence that paves the way for success in kindergarten and beyond.
Pictured below is Carol Hedgecock, preschool teacher, at our quality Pretty Prairie Elementary Preschool, plus students and Family Advocate Annie Novotny.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Kids Depot in Mt. Hope,  is one of our preschool sites. Traci Headley is the preschool teacher. Pictured are children of Kids
Depot.
 
 
 
 
The welcome mat is out for Carrie Wellman, the newest teacher in the Kansas Preschool Program. Carrie is teaching at Kids Krossing, a preschool in the Nickerson School District.
 
 
Fairfield East hosted a Family Activity Day that was warmly recived. Tonya Miller is one of the teachers at Fairfield East.
 
 

Family Advocates

The Kansas Preschool Program provides two Family Advocates to work with PreK teachers in their classrooms. Family Advocates visit classrooms, provide Second Step lessons to groups, and works individually with children. Family Advocates do observations to identify children possibly needing extra attention or services that could further benefit them.
 
We employ two Family Advocates. Annie Novotny is a graduate of Friends University with a degree in Human Services and Psychology. She is currently working toward a Master of Education from WSU in Educational Psychology.
 
Mary Nowlan has worked in Reno County for twenty-five years in both social services and early childhood. Mary enjoys visiting her seven classrooms each week and is a firm believer in the benefits of the Second Step curriculum.
 
These two advocates assist the teachers, work with families, interact with children and go on field trips. It is people like Mary and Annie who contribute to the high quality experience the Kansas Preschool Program offers our children.
 
 
Mary Nowlan and Annie Novotny