Franklin County Schools to offer free full-day preschool to eligible 4-year-olds

Franklin County Schools will offer tuition-free, full-day preschool to four-year-olds who live in the district during the 2026-27 school year, a new two-year pilot that expands access to district early-learning programs.

Children who turn 4 on or before Aug. 1, 2026, are eligible for immediate enrollment, according to the district. The preschool day will run Monday through Thursday, and students will be assigned to elementary schools based on their residential school zones.

The expansion was announced July 14. Gov. Andy Beshear announced the following day that Franklin County Schools was among the districts added to the state’s pre-K-for-all pilot, which is scheduled to begin in 2026-27.

What the pilot includes

The district describes the initiative as a two-year pilot intended to expand early literacy, cognitive development and educational access. It applies to four-year-olds residing in Franklin County Schools, rather than a statewide program available to every Kentucky family.

Regular preschool for qualified three-year-olds will continue under the district’s existing eligibility rules. Families seeking that program can attend three-year-old screenings scheduled for Aug. 14, Aug. 21 and Oct. 16 at the Early Learning Village.

The district did not state how many children are eligible for the new four-year-old program or how many classroom seats will be available. Its announcement also did not detail the scope of state funding for the pilot.

Staffing and care options

Franklin County Schools said it plans to hire certified teachers, instructional aides and support staff as the program grows. The district did not provide a staffing total or timeline for those hires.

While the core preschool program will be tuition-free, extended care is optional and carries fees. Monday-through-Thursday after-school care is listed at $75 per week, Friday-only care at $35 per week and full extended care at $100 per week.

For families in Frankfort and across the county district, the immediate next step is enrollment for children meeting the Aug. 1 age cutoff. Placements will be made at elementary schools according to each student’s residential zone, so participating children will not necessarily attend the same campus or follow the same care schedule.

The program’s first year is set for 2026-27; the district has characterized it as a pilot, not a permanent policy announcement.