Early Learning

Preschool Quality

Published: 1/21/2025 11:56 AM

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Introduction 

Through funding from the Preschool Development Grant, Kentucky All STARS for state-funded preschool programs was reintroduced for the 2024–2025 school year. Preschool sites are required to participate in the Kentucky All STARS Rating System per Kentucky Administrative Regulation (704 KAR 3:015​). 
 
The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) Office of Special Education and Early Learning (OSEEL) Early Learning Unit (ELU) has made changes to the process for the Kentucky All STARS for state-funded preschool programs. These changes include the use of the Teaching Pyramid Observations Tool (TPOT) as the required environmental assessment. 

Please contact your local Early Childhood Reginal Training Center (RTC) for additional resources and training opportunities. RTC contact information may be found on the Technical Assistance Network page. 
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Important Dates

Cohort One: 2024-2025

Cohort Two: 2025-2026​

Cohort Three: 2026-2027

Cut-Off​ Date for New Hires: Oct. 1

Classroom Selection Announcement: Jan. 10 

Grant Management Application and Planning (GMAP) Quality Supplement Due March 31

TPOT Observations Completed: April 30



​Kentucky All STARS for Preschool Programs

704 KAR 3:015​​​

All STARS Resources ​​

  •  Questions and Answers Related to Kentuck​y State Funded Preschool All STARS​
    • Preschool sites are required to participate in the Kentucky All STARS Rating System per the Kentucky Administrative Regulation (KAR) 704 KAR 3:015. The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) Office of Special Education and Early Learning (OSEEL) Early Learning Unit (ELU) has made changes to the process for the Kentucky All STARS for state-funded preschool programs. These changes include the use of the Teaching Pyramid Observation Tool (TPOT) as the required environmental assessment. This non-regulatory guidance is intended to provide frequently asked questions and answers related to the changes to the Kentucky All STARS process for state-funded preschool programs. 
  • All STARS Scoring Rubric ​
    • All participants in Kentucky State-Funded Preschool All STARS meet specific indicators of quality based on fulfillment of domain. Requirements for each STAR level are listed in the All STARS Scoring Rubric. 
  • Basic Care Chec​klist ​
    • As part of the Grant Management Application and Planning (GMAP) system Quality Supplement, the Basic Care Checklist is a list of criteria not included in the TPOT but is included as part of the overall All STARS. The Basic Care Checklist must be completed during the cohort year in each observed classroom, at each site, by the district’s preschool coordinator or the designee. ​​​​​



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Jennifer Hagan
Office of Special Education and Early Learning
300 Sower Blvd., 4th Floor
Frankfort, KY 40601
(502) 564-4970 Ext. 4163
Fax (502) 564-6470

Jennifer.Hagan@education.ky.gov



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