Child Care Aware of Kansas Honors 66 Communities as Child Care Community Champions
Child Care Aware of Kansas Honors 66 Communities as Child Care Community Champions Salina, Kansas – February 12, 2026 Child Care Aware of Kansas is proud to recognize... Read more.
How the Russell County Community Child Care Coalition Is Supporting Local Providers
The Russell County Community Child Care Coalition (RCCC) is on a mission to uplift and encourage the child care providers who serve families across the county. This... Read more.
Behind Every Child’s Success Is Someone Who Cared First
Every child’s success begins with someone who believed in them, invested in them, and cared enough to make a difference. At Child Care Aware of Kansas, we know... Read more.
Child Care Aware of Kansas Joins Cape
Care Aware of Kansas (CCAKS) is officially joining Cape, a career and professional empowerment portal tailored for Kansas’ early childhood workforce.... Read more.
Taking Baby Steps to Expand Care for Infants and Toddlers
Baby Steps is an innovative pilot that seeks not only to offset the revenue lost by caring for infants and toddlers, but also to bring family child care providers’... Read more.
New Executive Director Named at Child Care Aware of Kansas
Christi Smith has been named as the new executive director of Child Care Aware of Kansas (CCAKS).
Board President Kari Mailloux made the announcement following... Read more.
Why Updating Your Provider Profile is Important
The information we gather is used to inform parents about child care programs that have openings for their child(ren), based on the parent’s needs.... Read more.
Community Solutions for the Child Care Crisis in 2024
As we move into a new year, communities all over Kansas are working to implement local solutions to the child care crisis.... Read more.
Joining Forces to Tackle Local Child Care Obstacles
Throughout Kansas, numerous communities are seeking increased child care options. Often, these enhancements require collaborative community efforts to tackle local... Read more.
A Guide to Addressing Local Child Care Needs
Creating a plan to increase child care capacity in your community involves a thoughtful and strategic approach. This step-by-step guide was created to help your... Read more.
Support Child Care Aware of Kansas: Investing in the Future of Kansas through High-Quality Child Care
Your gift is a powerful investment in ensuring Kansas has access to high-quality child care for generations to come.... Read more.
A Network of Support for Providers
Early childhood professionals need and deserve respect and support for the critically important work they do. Investing in state’s our early care and education... Read more.
Child Care Aware of Kansas and Healthy Blue Kansas Partner to Recruit New Child Care Providers
In response to a critical shortage of 84,000 child care slots in the state, Child Care Aware of Kansas announced a new partnership with Healthy Blue Kansas to expand... Read more.
Tips for Cooking with Children + 3 Kid-Friendly Recipes
Cooking with children can be both fun and exhausting! Despite the time and patience required, making snacks or meals with your kids pays off for everyone involved.... Read more.
Free Resources at Your Fingertips
You can rely on ECE Resources Kansas to keep a lot of important information saved for you in one place.... Read more.
One Provider’s Experience with Child Care Management Software
Julie Schwarz, owner of Thunderhawk Daycare in Grinnell, Kansas, shares her opinion on the KidKare software and how her program has benefitted from it.... Read more.
Learning Communities for Child Care Providers
A learning community is a peer support network of early childhood professionals who meet on a regular basis to work toward shared goals.... Read more.
Shared Business Services for Providers Save Time and Money
Shared Service Networks offer child care providers the opportunity to strengthen their business practices while focusing on what is the most important — the children.... Read more.
Gov. Kelly Proclaims May 12th as Child Care Provider Appreciation Day
Governor Kelly Recognizes Providers Kansas Governor Laura Kelly has proclaimed May 12th as Child Care Provider Appreciation Day. This is a significant recognition... Read more.
Partnering to Ease Child Care Crisis
Child Care Aware of Kansas and The Patterson Family Foundation Partner to Ease Child Care Crisis FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Kelly Davydov 1-855-750-3343 April 10, 2023... Read more.
The Importance of Sleep for Health
The Importance of Sleep March 17, 2023 is not just a day to wear green! It’s also a nationally recognized day to acknowledge the many health benefits of... Read more.
How to Find Quality Care for Your Child
By asking meaningful questions and paying attention to details during interviews with child care providers, you can decide if the program is a good fit for your... Read more.
Grants for Communities Working on Child Care
Two grants are available to Kansas communities working to expand access to affordable, high-quality child care. The grants are based on the needs of your community... Read more.
How Program Administration Makes Providers’ Jobs Easier
Program Administration Support is designed to help improve the quality of your business practices.... Read more.
Tax Benefits for Families and Child Care Providers
Find a listing of key tax breaks and credits that families and/or child care
providers may be able to take advantage of.... Read more.
Reasons to Call the Child Care Go Team
Whether your community is already engaged in capacity building efforts, or still needs to form a coalition, the Go Team coordinator will connect you.... Read more.
Solomon Community Preschool Finds New Building After 32 Years
By Ed Boice, Abilene-RC.com Earlier this year, Denise Miller, lead teacher, feared the Solomon Community Preschool wouldn’t have a building. Now, the school is... Read more.
American Rescue Plan (ARP) Child Care Stabilization Funds Impacts Kansas Children
The Administration for Children and Families released new data showing that child care stabilization funds provided in the American Rescue Plan (ARP) have served... Read more.
Several of Governor Kelly’s “Rural Champions” Focus Their Efforts on Child Care
Source: Governor Laura Kelly Announces 12 “Rural Champions” Leading Local Community Efforts – Kansas Department of Commerce (kansascommerce.gov)... Read more.
Edwards and Stafford Counties Come Up with Solutions
Like many parents across Kansas, Edwards County Extension Agent Trisha Greene was having great difficulty finding day care in Kinsley, where she lives and works.... Read more.
Community Child Care Center Continues to Progress
There is a nationwide need for child care, and Marion County proves to be the same. According to data gathered by Child Care Aware, out of 11,865 residents in Marion... Read more.
Local Providers: Current Child Care System No Longer Sustainable
The U.S. child care industry is at the point of market failure, a representative of Kansas’ Child Care Aware program told a group of Hays Chamber members Friday.... Read more.
Child Care Provider Programs
Our consultants provide coaching, consulting, technical assistance, mentoring, and advising.... Read more.
How a Community Council on Child Care Can Help Families Succeed
How a Community Council on Child Care Can Help Families Succeed As parents and providers know well, each school year presents new challenges for child care programs.... Read more.
Child Care and Vaccinations
In June 2022, the FDA granted emergency authorization to both Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccinations for children under 5 years of age. Both the CDC and the American... Read more.
Behind the Scenes of the CCHC Network
Behind the Scenes of the CCHC Network with Two Kansas Providers Providers at a large child care center and a small group home, both with decades of experience, ... Read more.
Child Care Supply and Demand in Kansas: What to Know and How to Be Part of the Solution
Child Care Supply and Demand in Kansas: What to Know and How to Be Part of the Solution A child’s earliest experiences lay the foundation for lifelong learning,... Read more.
Safe Sleep and SIDS
Article by Kansas Infant Death and SIDS Network An article about new research on SIDS that has been gaining traction in the Safe Sleep Community. This research... Read more.
New! Point-in-Time Data Relaunched
Child Care Aware of Kansas connects everyone with a stake in child care — families, child care providers, businesses, local and state leaders, and community members... Read more.
Growing Generations of Kansans
By Chelsy Spiller is an Early Care and Education Specialist at Child Care Aware of Kansas. Originally published in the Summer 2020 Issue of Kansas Child Magazine.... Read more.
Elevating Provider Voices
By Berni Howe, Lead Training and Technical Assistant Specialist, KCCTO and Tara Glanton, Training and Technical Assistant Specialist, KCCTO. Article originally published... Read more.
Extending Child Care Experiences to the Home
Discussing child care experiences at home strengthens kids’ brain connections. Their social and emotional development is enhanced when parents and caregivers... Read more.
What’s Your Connection
By Rachelle Soden, Training Manager, Kansas Children’s Service League. Originally published in the Spring 2021 Issue of Kansas Child Magazine. Connections... Read more.
Advocacy: Providers & Parents
The Voices That Should Inform Change-Process In Our Child Care System By Peggy Kelly, Executive Director, Kansas Head Start Association. Originally published in... Read more.
Actions Speak Louder Than Words
By John Presley Originally published in the Spring 2020 issue of Kansas Child Magazine. Attachment is a word in mental health circles that has taken on a dominant... Read more.
How to Pay Yourself First – Money Management for Family Child Care Providers
By Tom Copeland, Trainer, Author and Advocate for Family Child Care Originally published in the Spring 2021 issue of Kansas Child Magazine. Most family child care... Read more.
No Better Time: Systems Thinking for All
By: Tracy Benson, President, Waters Center for Systems Thinking Originally published in the Winter 2021 Issue of Kansas Child Magazine A System Is a Collection of... Read more.
Supporting Healthy Brain Development in Children through Nutrition
BY Karen Seymour, RD, LD, Kansas State Department of Education Originally published in the Summer 2020 Issue of Kansas Child Magazine. Nutrition is an important... Read more.
Supporting Family Choice
A Message from Child Care Aware of Kansas Selecting a child care provider is an important decision for a family to make, and it’s often a stressful one, no matter... Read more.
Data as a Tool for Creating Racial Equity
By, Michelle Stover Wright, M.S., Evaluation and Research BUILD Initiative; Aisha Ray, Ph.D., Distinguished Fellow, BUILD Initiative; Sherri Killins Stewart Ed.... Read more.
Communities in Action Workshop
By Tanya Koehn, Director of Family & Community Services, Child Care Aware of Kansas Child Care Aware of Kansas works alongside local communities to tackle the... Read more.
Every Child Needs Nature
By Elizabeth Burger, Senior Program Officer, Sunflower Foundation Originally published in the Fall 2021 Issue of Kansas Child Magazine. “Every child needs nature.... Read more.
Taking Care of Business: Tips for Family Child Care
By Tom Copeland, Trainer, Author and Advocate for Family Child Care Originally published in the Spring 2021 Issue of Kansas Child Magazine Family child care providers... Read more.
Survey of Kansas child care facilities points to lingering challenges of COVID-19
United Methodist Health Ministry Fund and Child Care Aware of Kansas partnered to survey of child care providers — 29% of the state’s total — indicated facility... Read more.
Press Release: Program Administration Support
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Child Care Aware of Kansas, in partnership with the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) and Links to Quality, launched... Read more.
Kansas Child Care Providers Experience Additional Strain During Pandemic
Press Release Hutchinson, Kan. Thursday, October 14, 2021—A timely survey of child care providers across Kansas reveals that during the pandemic providers have... Read more.
When Little People are Overwhelmed by Big Emotions
By Kim Lawson, Preschool teacher, Bennington Grade School Orginally published in the Fall 2020 Issue of Kansas Child magazine Children are not born with the skills... Read more.
Assessing Your Child Care Environment
By Susan Owens, Early Care and Education Specialist, The Family Conservancy Originally published in the Summer 2021 Issue of Kansas Child magazine Environment plays... Read more.
Data is the Future
By Teri Garstka, Associate Director, KU Center for Public Partnerships for the Spring 2021 Issue of Kansas Child magazine. It’s an exciting time to be a data enthusiast... Read more.
Grandparents Adventures
By Samantha Sulsar, Coordinator, Child Care Aware of Kansas I can’t help but smile every time I open the silverware drawer. The spoons and forks that rattle... Read more.
10 Reasons to Become an Early Childhood Education Professional
By Michelle Gilbert, Early Care & Education Specialist, Child Care Aware of Eastern Kansas Across the nation, conversations are taking place about the shortage... Read more.
A Beautiful Career: What Family Child Care Can Do
By Emily Barnes, Owner/Manager, Barnes Child Care, for the Spring 2021 Issue of Kansas Child magazine. After my second child, postpartum anxiety started interfering... Read more.
1-800-CHILDREN
By Vicki Roper, Director, Prevent Child Abuse Kansas, for the Fall 2020 Issue of Kansas Child magazine. The outbreak of the coronavirus has changed our world... Read more.
Building a Community of Leaders: Promoting Healthy Eating and Physical Activity through Communities of Practice
By Georgia Thompson, Senior Program & Policy Analyst, Nemours and Rebekah Duchette, Senior State Systems Specialist, Nemours for the Summer 2021 Issue of Kansas... Read more.
Start With Those Who Know The Challenge Best
By Julia McBride, Vice President, Kansas Leadership Center Originally published in the Winter 2021 Issue of Kansas Child Magazine If you aspire to launch more creative... Read more.
Encouraging New Foods Through Play
By Diana Floyd, RD, LD, Kansas State Department of Education Originally published in the Summer 2020 Issue of Kansas Child Magazine Getting children to try new foods... Read more.
Child Care in Kansas: Paralysis to Action
By Travis Rickford, Executive Director, LiveWell Northwest Kansas Originally published in the Winter 2021 Issue of Kansas Child Magazine Today, our rural way of... Read more.
Why Bother Going Outside?
By Jeannie Evans & Janelle Balarashti, Early Care & Education Team, The Family Conservancy Originally published in the Summer 2020 Issue of Kansas Child... Read more.
For The Public Good: Child Care As Economic Development
By Dr. Bradford Wiles, Associate Professor/Extension Specialist, Kansas State University Originally published in the Spring 2021 Issue of Kansas Child Magazine.... Read more.
Keeping Children Safe and Healthy – Questions to Ask Your Child Care Provider About COVID-19
Your child means the world to you, and you do all you can to make sure they have what they need to be healthy and happy. You shouldn’t have to worry about your... Read more.
Finding a Training Has Never Been Easier!
Finding a training is now easier than ever! Providing early care and education is one of the most rewarding – and challenging – careers you could choose! As... Read more.
Child Care Sustainability Grants
Kansas child care providers have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic, even when other businesses closed. Yet many are struggling to stay afloat. Prioritizing... Read more.
Know Better…Do Better
Since launching the Child Care Aware of Kansas “Point-In-Time Data” feature on May 18, 2021, our website has received over 800 unique visitors specifically looking... Read more.
Parent Leadership Conference! Register now!
Click here to register... Read more.
Childcare Collaboration: Foundational Support for the Workforce of Tomorrow
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought childcare challenges to the forefront of families, businesses, and legislatures minds. In a recent series of state-specific surveys... Read more.
Center for American Progress Highlights the Role of Child Care Aware of Kansas in Optimizing Distribution of Pandemic Relief Funds
On April 15, 2021, the Biden administration made the largest-ever investment in American child care, releasing a historic $39 billion from the American Rescue Plan... Read more.
Mastering Record Keeping and Taxes in the Age of COVID
Join Tom Copeland for this live virtual training specifically for Kansas child care programs presented by the Department for Children and Families in coordination... Read more.
COVID-19 Update
With COVID-19 affecting the communities we serve, we are conducting all coaching, professional development events and meetings virtually or by phone whenever possible.... Read more.
Governor Kelly Announces Over 50,000 COVID-19 Comfort Kits Were Provided to Kansas Kids, Families Statewide
Press Release Posted by David Elliott (KRSL) Governor Laura Kelly has announced that the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) provided over 50,000... Read more.
Child Care Health Consultant Network
We partner with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to launch the next phase of consultations for licensed child care programs.... Read more.