Hi, Thank you for turning to JustAsk and Education.com for support.  

The typical starting age for kindergarten is age 5. You'll find a wide variety of information to help prepare you (and your daughter) in this "Kindergarten Readiness" info center: http://www.education.com/topic/kindergarten-readiness/

We enrolled our daughter in preschool for the first time when she was four, and she enjoyed it greatly (and did well in kindergarten and first grade). We chose a play-based preschool co-op (in which parents had to participate), but there are many different types of preschools, including some that focus on academics. Here are some considerations for choosing a preschool that's right for your family: http://www.education.com/topic/choosing-preschool/

In terms of finding a free preschool that isn't part of the Head Start program, I did a Google search using your city, state and the word "free preschool", and it appears a local church and a local non-profit may have related programs: http://bit.ly/NaOOt

Some preschools also offer scholarships. You can contact potential preschools in your area and ask about their financial assistance offerings, or here's a video about scholarship money for preschool: http://www.ehow.com/video_4790646_free-scholarship-money-preschool.html

If you re-consider participation in Head Start (the national program for low-income families), here is the Head Start locator on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services website, to find a center near you: http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/HeadStartOffices

The Missouri Military Family Relief Fund may also be able to help you:
http://www.mmfrf.mo.gov/

The University of Missouri also has resources to support families of deployed soldiers in their state: http://education.missouri.edu/orgs/parentlink/military.php

I'm including some additional resources that may be helpful to you and your family...

How Do I Help My Kids Deal With My Husband's Deployment?
http://www.education.com/reference/article/Ref_How_Do_I_Help_My/

When a Parent Goes to War
http://www.education.com/reference/article/Ref_When_Parent_Goes_War_2/

The Parent's Guide to Preschool
http://www.education.com/grade/preschool/

If you need to talk to someone about any parenting challenges you may be having, one of our JustAsk Experts, Boys Town National Hotline, has a toll-free hotline you can call: 1-800-448-3000. You can learn more about Boys Town here: http://www.education.com/profile/Boys%20Town%20National%20Hotline/

Please do let us know if there is any additional info or support you need.