State of Preschool
Missouri
Access Rankings
4-year-Olds
30
3-year-Olds
28
Resource Rankings
State spending
42
All reported spending
44
Total Benchmarks Met
Of 10 benchmarks possible
5.1
Overview
During the 2024-2025 school year, Missouri preschool enrolled 18,264 children, an increase of 9,468 from the prior year. State spending totaled $56,524,225, up $13,124,189 (30%), adjusted for inflation, since last year. State spending per child equaled $3,095 in 2024-2025 down $1,839 from 2023-2024, adjusted for inflation. Missouri met an average of 5.1 of 10 quality standards benchmarks.
What's New
Missouri continues to fund the Pre-K Foundation Formula at the current rate; however, Local Education Agencies (LEAs) are able to claim 8% of their free- or reduced-price lunch eligible population for Pre-K students, an increase of 4% from the previous year. In 2024- 2025, the Missouri Quality Prekindergarten (MOQPK) grant was in its second year and due to multiple rounds of funding there was an increase in participation by both LEAs and child care programs. Those participating in MOQPK must also participate in the Quality Assurance Report and demonstrate quality criteria within two years.
Background
Beginning in the 2018-2019 school year, Missouri’s Local Education Agencies (LEAs) were encouraged to use the Missouri Pre-K Foundation Formula fund for preschool. Most policy decisions are made by the LEAs but programs must meet requirements around teacher to child ratios, teacher degrees and certification, and fiscal spending and reporting.
Previously, the Missouri Preschool Program (MPP), launched in 1998, served 3- and 4-year-olds in public schools, private child-care centers, and nonprofit agencies. Programs were required to work with the local Parents as Teachers program to provide parent education, family visits, group connections, health and development screenings, and services referrals. MPP was funded through the state’s Tobacco Settlement Fund. Priority for funding was given to programs serving children with special needs or from low-income families. The 2020-2021 school year was the last year of operation for MPP.
In 2023-2024, the state implemented an additional preschool program, Missouri Quality Preschool (MOQPK), which provided funding for both public schools and licensed private child care centers and preschools, unlike the state’s other pre-K program, Pre-K Foundation Formula that only operates in public schools. All MOQPK classrooms are observed every two years using CLASS. Lead teachers are required to have at least 18 college credits in early childhood education or child development and participate in coaching and complete 18 clock hours per year of professional development. Teaching assistants are required to have a CDA or nine college credit hours in ECE or child development.
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Access
Total state pre-K enrollment 18,264 Special education enrollment, ages 3 and 4 11,923 Federally funded Head Start enrollment, ages 3 and 4 8,797 State-funded Head Start enrollment, ages 3 and 4 0 Resources
Total state pre-K spending $56,524,225 State Head Start spending $0 State spending per child enrolled $3,095 All reported spending per child enrolled* $3,095 
*Pre-K programs may receive additional funds from federal or local sources that are not included in this figure. †Head Start per-child spending includes funding only for 3- and 4-year-olds. ‡K–12 expenditures include capital spending as well as current operating expenditures.
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Access
Total state pre-K enrollment 8,417 School districts that offer state program 38% (public school
districts); 65% (charter schools)Income requirement 185% FPL Minimum hours of operation Determined locally Operating schedule School or academic year Resources
Total state pre-K spending $27,145,256 Local match required? No State Head Start spending $0 State spending per child enrolled $3,225 All reported spending per child enrolled* $3,225 
*Pre-K programs may receive additional funds from federal or local sources that are not included in this figure. †Head Start per-child spending includes funding only for 3- and 4-year-olds. ‡K–12 expenditures include capital spending as well as current operating expenditures.
Missouri Pre-K Foundation Formula Quality Standards Checklist
| Policy | MO Foundation Formula Requirement | Benchmark | Meets Benchmark? |
|---|---|---|---|
For more information about the benchmarks, see the Executive Summary and the Roadmap to State pages. | 4benchmarks met | ||
| Early Learning & Development Standards Benchmark | Comprehensive, aligned, supported, culturally sensitive | Comprehensive, aligned, supported, culturally sensitive | |
| Curriculum Supports Benchmark | Approval process | Approval process & supports | |
| Teacher Degree Benchmark | BA | BA | |
| Teacher Specialized Training Benchmark | ECE, ECE SpEd | Specializing in pre-K | |
| Assistant Teacher Degree Benchmark | Other | CDA or equivalent | |
| Staff Professional Development Benchmark | 30 hours/year (teachers years 1-4), 15 hours/year (teachers year 5 until exempt); PD plans (some teachers); Coaching (some teachers) | For teachers & assistants: At least 15 hours/year; individual PD plans; coaching | |
| Maximum Class Size Benchmark | No limit (3- & 4-year-olds) | 20 or lower | |
| Staff to Child Ratio Benchmark | 1:10 (3- & 4-year-olds) | 1:10 or better | |
| Screening & Referral Benchmark | None | Vision, hearing & health screenings; & referral | |
| Continuous Quality Improvement System Benchmark | None | Structured classroom observations; data used for program improvement | |
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Access
Total state pre-K enrollment 9,847 School districts that offer state program 34% (LEAs) Income requirement No income requirement Minimum hours of operation 3 hours/day Operating schedule School or academic year Resources
Total state pre-K spending $29,378,969 Local match required? No State Head Start spending $0 State spending per child enrolled $2,984 All reported spending per child enrolled* $2,984 
*Pre-K programs may receive additional funds from federal or local sources that are not included in this figure. †Head Start per-child spending includes funding only for 3- and 4-year-olds. ‡K–12 expenditures include capital spending as well as current operating expenditures.
Missouri Quality Preschool Grant (MOQPK) Quality Standards Checklist
| Policy | MOQPK Requirement | Benchmark | Meets Benchmark? |
|---|---|---|---|
For more information about the benchmarks, see the Executive Summary and the Roadmap to State pages. | 6benchmarks met | ||
| Early Learning & Development Standards Benchmark | Comprehensive, aligned, supported, culturally sensitive | Comprehensive, aligned, supported, culturally sensitive | |
| Curriculum Supports Benchmark | Approval process | Approval process & supports | |
| Teacher Degree Benchmark | AA | BA | |
| Teacher Specialized Training Benchmark | 18 ECE/CD credits | Specializing in pre-K | |
| Assistant Teacher Degree Benchmark | CDA or 9 ECE/CD credit hours | CDA or equivalent | |
| Staff Professional Development Benchmark | 18 hours/year; Coaching | For teachers & assistants: At least 15 hours/year; individual PD plans; coaching | |
| Maximum Class Size Benchmark | 20 (4-year-olds) | 20 or lower | |
| Staff to Child Ratio Benchmark | 1:10 (4-year-olds) | 1:10 or better | |
| Screening & Referral Benchmark | Developmental; Referrals not required | Vision, hearing & health screenings; & referral | |
| Continuous Quality Improvement System Benchmark | Structured classroom observations; Data used for program improvement | Structured classroom observations; data used for program improvement | |