How To Become a Preschool Teacher in Kansas in 2026

Overview — What Preschool Teachers Do in Kansas

Early childhood educators are at the heart of children’s growth and development. While parents and caregivers obviously play a huge role, these educators are trained to focus specifically on everything related to a child’s learning, behavior, and overall well-being.

However, what they teach and how they teach it varies a bit by setting:

Public Preschools: Teachers follow the Kansas Early Learning Standards (KELS) to help children build language, thinking, and social-emotional skills before kindergarten.
Private & Faith-Based Programs: These classrooms have more flexibility but still focus on safe, intentional learning that balances education and care.
Head Start & Specialty Schools: Head Start adds family and health support for children from low-income families, while Montessori and specialty programs use research-based approaches to foster development.
High Demand for Teachers: Kansas needs qualified preschool teachers. Childcare shortages and a focus on kindergarten readiness make skilled educators essential.

This guide will help you how to become a preschool teacher in Kansas.

Related:

Kansas Preschool Teacher Requirements (Public vs. Private Settings)

Here’s how to become a preschool teacher in Kansas, depending on where you want to teach.

Public School Preschool Requirements (KSDE Licensure)

Teaching in a public preschool classroom in Kansas requires going through the state’s teacher licensure system at the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE).

Here’s what Kansas preschool teacher requirements 2026 typically look like for public schools:

Kansas Teaching License: To work in a public preschool, you must earn a Kansas teaching license. This shows you’ve completed an approved teacher preparation program and met the state’s requirements.
Early Childhood Unified (ECU) Endorsement: Most public preschool jobs need an ECU Birth–K endorsement. A related Kansas early childhood unified endorsement, like ECU Birth–Grade 3 or Elementary Education with preschool add-ons, can also qualify.
Bachelor’s Degree: A degree in Early Childhood or Elementary Education with the ECU endorsement gives you the knowledge to teach children from birth through kindergarten.
Student Teaching: This is your chance to practice teaching in a real classroom under supervision, gaining hands-on experience and feedback.
Praxis/Licensure Exams: You’ll need to pass KSDE-approved exams, often including early childhood content, before earning your license.

Private Preschool & Childcare Center Requirements (KDHE Licensing)

If your dream is to work in a private childcare center, a faith‑based preschool, or a community program, your path may look a bit different. The path is also often faster than going through the public school licensure route.

KDHE Licensing

Starting July 1, 2026, new rules give centers more flexibility while keeping children safe and learning quality high. KDHE childcare teacher requirements are as follows:

The lead teacher must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED.
They must also meet one of several education or experience options approved by KDHE/OEC.

Director & Lead Teacher Requirements

Private center directors and lead teachers don’t need a teaching license, but they must meet certain education or experience standards.

Accepted Credentials:

Child Development Associate (CDA)
Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education
Bachelor’s Degree in ECE or related field

Training & Health Requirements

Staff must complete KDHE-approved orientation and yearly training in child health, safety, and development. Background checks and up-to-date health screenings are also required.

Head Start Requirements in Kansas

Head Start is a federally funded program that offers early learning, health, and family support to children from low‑income families. While hiring practices may vary locally in Kansas, Head Start programs must meet federal standards. Key points include:

At least 50% of lead teachers typically have a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education or a related field.
The minimum qualification for teaching roles, especially assistant positions, is often the CDA credential.

Step 1 — Choose Your Kansas Preschool Pathway

Becoming a preschool teacher is a path, not a single step, and there are several ways to begin. Here’s how to meet the Kansas early learning standards.

Pathway A — Child Development Associate (CDA)

To meet the Kansas CDA preschool requirements, you must:

Complete 120 hours of early childhood education training across core topics like development, curriculum, and safety.
Document 480 hours of supervised experience working with preschool‑age children.
Create a professional portfolio and successfully pass an observation assessment with a CDA verifier.

Many Kansas community colleges, such as KCKCC and others, offer CDA prep courses that combine classroom learning with hands-on practice.

Pathway B — Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education

An associate degree is a more substantial educational step than the CDA, and it typically takes about two years of college. Many community colleges in Kansas offer degrees that are specifically designed for early childhood care and education.

This degree can:

Qualify you for lead teacher roles in childcare centers, Head Start, and private preschools.
Provide transferable credits if you later decide to pursue a bachelor’s degree.
Help you build a deeper knowledge base in child development, curriculum planning, and classroom guidance.

Pathway C — Bachelor’s Degree with ECU Endorsement

If your goal is to teach in public preschool classrooms or pursue leadership roles, this is the pathway you’ll want. In these programs, you’ll:

Take courses in early childhood theory, curriculum, child development, and instructional methods.
Complete supervised clinical practice and student teaching.
Prepare for licensure exams as required by KSDE.

Some of the most popular Kansas early childhood education programs:

Pathway D — Online Programs for Career Changers

These options let you:

Complete coursework at your own pace
Balance school with work or family
Transition into teaching without starting over

Many programs combine online study with local classroom placements, so you still get hands-on experience.

Step 2 — Complete Required Kansas Training

KSDE Training for Public Preschool Teachers

For public preschool, early childhood teacher qualifications in Kansas include:

Praxis/licensure exams that show you understand early childhood content
Student teaching under an experienced mentor
Following the Kansas Educator Preparation Program standards built into your teacher education degree

KDHE Training Requirements for Childcare Centers

If you’re heading into a childcare center setting, KDHE requires:

Pediatric CPR & First Aid
Mandatory reporting training (so you recognize and respond to safety concerns)
Safe sleep, health, and safety courses
Annual in‑service professional development

Step 3 — Gain Classroom Experience

Kansas pathways emphasize real classroom time, whether that’s:

Practicum hours through a two‑year or four‑year program
Hours you document for your CDA portfolio
Full student teaching semester for public licensure

Step 4 — Apply for Licensure or Employment

KSDE Teaching License Application

To apply for your Kansas preschool teacher licensure, you’ll need to:

Submit official transcripts
Provide fingerprint and background check results
Turn in passing exam scores
Complete the official KSDE application and fees

After approval, you’re officially a licensed teacher and can seek public preschool roles.

Types of Kansas Preschool Employment

Whether licensed or credentialed, teachers in Kansas find roles in:

Public preschool programs (ECU‑licensed teachers)
Head Start classrooms
KDHE‑licensed childcare centers
Faith‑based preschools
Montessori and private early learning schools

Kansas Preschool Teacher Salary & Job Outlook

Salary Overview

The Kansas preschool teacher salary 2026, in general:

Average Pay: $15–$16/hour ($32,000–$33,000/year)
Lower Range: $26,800/year
Higher Range: $42,800/year (experience, degrees, or public school roles)
Public school & Head Start teachers usually earn more than private childcare roles.
Higher education (bachelor’s + ECU endorsement) typically leads to higher pay.

Job Outlook for 2026

A 2023 report highlights that the shortage of early childhood educators is one of the biggest barriers to expanding care and high-quality preschool options in Kansas. This shortage makes it hard for childcare centers and schools to expand programs. As a result, job opportunities for qualified preschool teachers are strong and expected to grow.

Advancement Opportunities for Kansas Preschool Teachers

Once you’ve got your foot in the door, there’s a whole world ahead:

Common Career Paths

Lead preschool teacher
Early Childhood Special Education teacher
Childcare center director
Curriculum specialist
Early Intervention provider (Part C)

Additional Endorsements

Adding extra credentials can help your career. Think:

Early Childhood Unified (Birth–Grade 3)
Special Education endorsements
Leadership or director credentials

Costs, Timelines & Financial Aid

Pathway	School / Program Sample	Approx. Duration	Estimated Tuition & Fees
CDA Credential	CDA Council / Online Training	6-12 months	$925 total ($400 for 120-hr training + $525 assessment fee)
Associate Degree	KCKCC (In-State)	2 years	$7,260 total ($121/credit for 60 credit hours)
Bachelor’s Degree	Kansas State (K-State)	4 years	$12,453 / year (Tuition + student fees; resident rate)
Accelerated Licensure	K-State Online (MAT)	1–2 years	$18,187 total ($551/credit for 33 credit hours)

Financial aid options in Kansas:

Teacher service scholarships
Workforce development grants
Programs like T.E.A.C.H. Kansas that help cover tuition and training costs

Final Checklist — How to Become a Preschool Teacher in Kansas

Here’s the final checklist on how to become a preschool teacher in Kansas:

Decide your pathway (CDA, associate degree, bachelor’s + ECU endorsement).
Complete required classroom training and coursework.
Get practical experience with children (practicum, student teaching, or KDHE supervised experience).
Pass exams and background checks required by KSDE or KDHE
Apply for your license (if headed to public preschool).
Submit job applications in centers, schools, or Head Start programs.
Keep learning with professional development every year.

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