Pre-K
Promoting school readiness for young children.
Starting school can be stressful for young children. They must have the tools to manage the transition to kindergarten. And Pre-K provides their most important introduction to the classroom.
Being kindergarten-ready means being able to adapt and achieve in school. In Pre-K, children develop social, emotional, physical, and behavioral skills — skills that help them become students. They gain vital experience talking, listening and interacting with others.
But above all, Pre-K engages children’s creativity and curiosity in the classroom. And an early love of learning puts them on the path for school success.
Our Pre-K Operators are Accepting Applications for the 2026-27 School Year!
First 8 Memphis Pre-K operators are accepting applications for the 2026-27 school year. Enrolling your child in Pre-K gives your family access to special support, wraparound services, and other impactful resources. Children must be 4 years old by August 15 to be eligible.
View all of the First 8 Memphis Pre-K operators, plus enrollment tips and the many benefits of Pre-K, at PreKMemphis.com.
Pre-K Reports
2025-26
Pre-K Quarter 1 Report +
Pre-K Quarter 2 Report +
2024-25
Pre-K Quarter 1 Report +
Pre-K Quarter 2 Report +
Pre-K Quarter 3 Report +
Pre-K Quarter 4 Report +
Pre-K Annual Report +
2023-24 Pre-K Annual Report +
2022-23 Pre-K Annual Report +
2021-22 Pre-K Annual Report+
2020-21 Pre-K Annual Report +
2019-20 Pre-K Annual Report +
Become a Pre-K Partner!
F8M partners with ALL Pre-K providers in Memphis and Shelby County! Explore our four partnership tiers below to find the best way for your organization to partner with us!
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Join the F8M mailing list to stay up to date on local resources, professional development opportunities, advocacy efforts, and opportunities to engage with the early care and education system!
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Join the F8M Pre-K Work Group - an opportunity to collaborate with Pre-K providers across Memphis and Shelby County on a quarterly basis to align on high-quality programming, increase access to Pre-K services, and progress advocacy efforts.
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Participate in community data-sharing by administering the common Pre-K assessment, Brigance IED III, and contributing to a community-wide Pre-K outcomes report. Participating partners will receive a partnership and data-entry stipend!
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Administer a F8M Pre-K for All program! First 8 Memphis supports over 2,920 students and families across high-quality Pre-K classrooms through annual funding provided by the City of Memphis and Shelby County Governments.
See below for more information on our funding application to begin a Pre-K for All classroom in January 2027!
F8M Pre-K Program Funding Application: Request for Proposal (RFP) for January 2027
We are excited to announce our next RFP application cycle for providers to receive F8M Pre-K program funding to begin in January 2027! All interested applicants will be reviewed for eligibility under contractual requirements and 2027 applicant priority. Eligible, high-priority applicants will be invited to complete the full application. Interested applicants who do not meet priority criteria will be kept on notice if a satisfactory number of eligible applicants is not met or additional funding becomes available.
Get complete details on the application process below. Be sure to complete the required Interest and Eligibility Form by Friday, September 25. Have questions? Sign up here to attend our virtual Applicant Interest Session Tuesday, September 15, at 9:30 a.m.
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Eligibility Criteria
Hold active childcare provider license in Shelby County, TN for at least one calendar year
At minimum one full program year with three- and four-year-olds
Demonstrated alignment with First 8 Memphis High-Quality Indicators, including developmentally appropriate practices, relationship-based care, and two-generational family support
Priority Criteria
While priority will be given to applicants who meet the following criteria, all interested applicants are encouraged to complete the interest form.
Small business provider licensed through the Department of Human Services
Program is expanding Pre-K seats or replacing tuition-based seats with F8M Pre-K funding
Located in the following zip codes:
38053
38028
38017
38138
38122
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Upon review of this survey, eligible applicants will be invited to complete the full Request for Proposal Pre-K Programing Funding Application.
Top scoring applicants will be approved as eligible to receive F8M Pre-K program funding.
A small number of approved applicants will be awarded program funding to implement beginning January 2027.
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Review the Pre-K program funding application here.
*Note: This document is provided as a reference of application and partnership requirements to inform providers’ decision to apply. All interested applicants must complete the eligibility verification form below before receiving an invitation to apply for program funding. Only applications completed via the invited link will be considered.
Complete the interest and eligibility verification form here! - due September 25!
Join our applicant interest session on Tuesday, September 15 at 9:30 AM via Google Meet!
Reach out to our team with questions:
pre-k@first8memphis.org or join our weekly office hours on Thursdays at 1 PM (September 17 - October 17, 2026).
SEE THE BIGGER PICTURE — Pre-K Seats to Memphis and Shelby County’s Population
Click the below button to view a map that visualizes the total number of Pre-K seats available for our 3 and 4-year population by census tract, zip code, City Council and County Commission districts.