Last verified: October 2026
Is pre-K free in Memphis?
For many families, yes. Memphis-Shelby County Schools offers pre-K to three- and four-year-olds, free to children who meet funder income guidelines, across district, Voluntary Pre-K, First 8 Memphis and Head Start collaboration classrooms. Over-income families can apply too; MSCS reserved 115 over-income seats for three-year-olds in 2026-27.
The MSCS application is open all year, and placement is decided at an in-person eligibility interview.
How do Memphis parents get help paying for daycare?
TDHS Smart Steps shares the bill at licensed centers that take it, for babies as young as six weeks through kindergartners, when parents work or attend undergraduate classes about 30 hours a week and earn no more than 85 percent of the state median. The family keeps a weekly copay.
Expect a waitlist; when TDHS reaches out, you have two weeks to file.
Do private preschools in Memphis accept state funding?
Some do, through Smart Steps payments or by hosting a district Voluntary Pre-K classroom under contract. A few early-learning academies on the EFS or ESA lists also matter once a child reaches kindergarten.
The preschool hub lists 21 programs that end at kindergarten or the early grades.
| MSCS Pre-K / VPK | Smart Steps | |
|---|---|---|
| Ages | 3 or 4 by August 15 | 6 weeks through kindergarten |
| Run by | Memphis-Shelby County Schools (or your district) | TDHS |
| Cost | Free for income-eligible children | Weekly copay |
| Main test | Household income vs federal poverty guidelines | Income at or under 85% SMI plus 30 hours of work or study |
What is the next step for a Memphis family?
Spend two minutes on the funding check, and a counselor will call back with the program that fits, its dollar value and the next deadline.