The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (Department) is providing guidance related to funding for new Missouri Quality Prekindergarten (MOQPK) Grants. These grants are available to Local Education Agencies (LEAs) and child care providers who are licensed or contracted with the DESE Child Care Subsidy program. 

Businesses in Missouri consistently rank the lack of early care and education options as a barrier for recruiting and retaining employees. The MOQPK-LEA Grant program is designed to expand the funding for prekindergarten (Pre-K) instruction and increase access for low-income families.

Grant Information for LEAs

The MOQPK- LEA grant is designed to provide funding for high quality preschool in Missouri’s Local Education Agencies (LEA).  All LEAs are eligible to apply for the MOQPK-LEA Grant opportunity.  In Missouri, an LEA is either a public school district or a charter school.

• LEA Grant Guidance
• LEA Grant Application - Coming Soon!
• MOQPK Basic Formula Payment Information
• Early Childhood Education Standards 25 CSR 100.340

Grant Information for Child Care

The MOQPK-CC grant is designed to provide funding for high quality preschool in Missouri’s child cares.  All child care programs in Missouri, as defined in Section 210.201, RSMo that are licensed under Section 210.221, RSMo at the time of application, or that are unlicensed and contracted with the DESE subsidy program at the time of application, are eligible to apply for the MOQPK-CC Grant opportunity.

• CC Grant Guidance
• CC Terms and Conditions
• CC Grant Application - Coming Soon!
• Early Childhood Education Standards 25 CSR 100.340

Additional Resources

Programming                    

• Missouri Early Learning Standards  
• Preschool Start-up Considerations
• Quality Assurance Report (QAR)
• Preschool Program Guidance
• Approved Early Childhood Curriculum

Finance

• Missouri Financial Accounting Manual
• Pre-K Eligibility for State Aid
• FY2023 Basic Formula Payment Information

Data

• Core Data and MOSIS Reference Manual
• MOSIS File Layout

Transportation

• Guidelines for the Safe Transportation of Pre-School Age Children on School Buses
• Child Passenger Restraint Systems on School Buses National Training Manual
• Child Safety Restraint Systems on School Buses (You Tube Video)
• DESE Transportation Document Preparation Manual
• DESE Administrator’s Handbook

Grant Information 23-24

Grant Information for Child Care

Round 3

• MOQPK-Child Care Grant Guidance – Round 3 - Revised
• MOQPK-Child Care Terms and Conditions – Round 3
• 2023-2024 MOQPK-CC Grant Awards Round 3

Round 2

• MOQPK-Child Care Grant Guidance - Round 2 - Revised
• MOQPK-Child Care Terms and Conditions - Round 2 - Revised
• 2023-2024 MOQPK-CC Grant Awards Round 2

Round 1

• MOQPK-Child Care Grant Guidance - Round 1 - Revised
• MOQPK-Child Care Terms and Conditions - Round 1 - Revised
• 2023-2024 MOQPK-CC Grant Awards Round 1

Grant Information for LEAs

Round 2

• 2023-2024 MOQPK-LEA Grant Awards Round 2
• MOQPK-LEA Grant Guidance - Round 2 - Revised

Round 1

• 2023-2024 MOQPK-LEA Grant Awards Round 1
• MOQPK-LEA Grant Guidance Round 1 - Revised
• FY 2023 Basic Formula Payment Information

Webinar:

• Recording
• PowerPoint Slides