Our Great Beginnings Preschool program is now gathering interest for families with incoming 4-year-olds for the 2026-27 school year. Following a successful year of expanded PreK offerings, this full- and half-day program provides meaningful early learning experiences in a supportive environment. Unlike last year, enrollment will not be first-come, first-served; all interested families are encouraged to complete the enrollment interest form by January 30 to be considered.
For the 2026-27 year, Great Beginnings Preschool will be hosted at the following Platte County School District locations.
- Southern Attendance area locations (Barry and Pathfinder Elementary Schools in Kansas City)
- Northern Attendance area location (District Education Center in Platte City)
Priority will be given to students living within our district boundaries or students of Platte County School District employees, but preschool will be open to children living outside of our district boundaries if spots are available.
Eligibility:
PreK children who have turned four years of age by July 31, 2026, are eligible for our Great Beginnings Preschool Program. Kindergarten age children (5 years old before August 1) are not eligible for preschool enrollment.
Tuition:
- Tuition for Great Beginnings Preschool is $7,990/school year for full day; $4,590/school year for 1/2 days.
- Families qualifying for free/reduced priced lunch will be tuition-free.
- Tuition reduction may be available if grant monies are received.
Please Note:
- Transportation is not provided.
- Earliest drop off is 8:30am and school ends at 3:30pm (times may be altered minimally).
- Before and after school care is not guaranteed and only available if enough students are enrolled in the paid service (during the 2025-26 school year we did not reach that threshold in all locations). If offered, before and after school care is an additional cost.
- Lunch service is not covered by the grant should we receive the award.
- Spots are filled through random selection to create balanced class lists.
- Priority is given to full-day programming.
- PreK classrooms will follow the PCR-3 academic calendar.
- Students eligible for Great Beginnings Early Childhood Special Education enroll separately from Great Beginnings Preschool and are not subject to the random selection.
Enrollment Timeline:
- January - Complete Enrollment Interest Form (Deadline January 30, 2026 - midnight)
- February 13 - Screening Day (Sign up will be emailed to you after completing the interest form)
- February 17-20 - Class List Development (Random selection from those who have completed screenings)
- February 27 - Parent Notification of Acceptance or Waitlist
- February 27-March 6 - Online Enrollment for Accepted Students
- March 9-August 1 - Begin to Access Waitlist (from spots where enrollment is not complete)