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!
-
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!
-
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.
-
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!
-
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.
NOTE: At this time, no funding is available for Pre-K program expansion seats. We will update this page when a new application cycle opens. All Communication Partner and Work Group members will be notified of the application process.
Pre-K Partner Funding Update
The interest form for the January 2027 application cycle has closed. We were excited to receive 85 total submissions from interested Pre-K providers in our community! Unfortunately, we have fewer than 150 expansion seats available for the Pre-K program funding award, which limits the number of applicants we can move forward in the review process. Awarded providers will be approved by the F8M Board of Directors in December 2026.
All interested applicants who submitted the interest and eligibility verification form by September 25 were reviewed for eligibility and priority criteria (see below). Applicants who met the criteria were invited to complete the full application.
-
Eligibility Criteria
Maintain an active Shelby County, TN childcare provider license for at least one full calendar year
Providers with a major violation within the last two years and/or currently have a pending investigation of a violation are ineligible.
Possess at least one full program year of experience serving three- and four-year-old children.
Show clear alignment with First 8 Memphis High-Quality Indicators, emphasizing two-generational family support, relationship-based care, and developmentally appropriate practices.
Priority Considerations
Operating as a small business childcare provider licensed through the Department of Human Services (DHS).
Expanding Pre-K seat capacity or transitioning tuition-based seats to tuition free F8M Pre-K funding to support family cost and boost economic growth.
Located within target zip codes:
38053
38028
38017
38138
38122
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.