The Opportunity Project South (TOPS) Early Learning Center

TOP Early Learning Center is a program offered for eligible four-year-olds. Under state regulations, to enroll in this pre-kindergarten program, your four-year-old child must qualify in one of the following areas: 

1. Poverty (four-year-old at-risk). Qualifies for free lunch program on September 20. 
2. Single parent families. At the time of enrollment, the custodial parent is unmarried.
3. Department for Children and Families (DCF) referral. The reason for referral must describe the need for the child to attend the State Pre-Kindergarten Program (four year AR) program and be documented and signed by the DCF agent.
4. Teen parents (age 13-19). At least one parent was a teen when the child was born.
5. At the time of enrollment, either parent lacks a high school diploma or a GED.
6. Child qualifies for migrant status. There must be a copy of the Certificate of Eligibility on file.
7. English Learners. EL status must be documented. NOTE: ESOL services must be provided by qualified teachers.
8. *Lower than expected Developmental Progress in at least one of the following areas: Cognitive developmental; physical development; communication/literacy; social-emotional/behavior; adaptive behavior/self-help skills. *Based on results of an appropriate and valid assessment (screening, authentic assessment, or standardized instrument), which has been administered and interpreted by a trained professional, the  developmental progress of the child has been determined to be lower than typically expected for his/her chronological age, yet above eligibility requirements for special education services (based on the special education eligibility requirement in the Kansas Special Education Process Handbook).