Increasing Access to Quality Care

Early childhood professionals facilitate high-quality early learning and development for young children. New child care providers are needed across our state to help fill gaps, improve access to care for families, and elevate overall quality of care and learning for young children in Kansas. Learn more here about how to get started, improve operations, and support quality programming.

From support for getting started as a new provider, to methods for businesses to help families find and afford child care, the Department for Children and Families produced the Child Care in Kansas website to help grow child care opportunities.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment provides details on how to open a licensed facility, and Kansas Child Care Training Opportunities (KCCTO) offers an overview of training requirements for new providers.

Child Care Aware of Kansas offers a variety of new provider supports and a guide to child care grant opportunities for communities.

New providers/facilities will also want to consider applying to the Child Care & Adult Food Program and/or becoming a DCF Enrolled Provider to participate in the Child Care Subsidy Program.

Comprehensive technical assistance and support for child care providers is available through:

Learn about the importance of quality and accreditation through:

Peer supports can be a gamechanger when it comes to improving quality in your child care program. In addition to communities of practice, you can also explore opportunities to enhance quality and get peer support through participation in two volunteer-run statewide groups:

  • Kansas Association for the Education of Young Children (KSAEYC) is the state chapter of the National Association for the Education of Young Children. The group tends to focus on child care centers and center-based staff, though it is not exclusive and all child care professionals can benefit from this resource.
  • Child Care Provider Coalition of Kansas (CCPC) is a group unique to Kansas and was established by and for family child care providers. CCPC offers resources, peer supports, and professional development offerings to meet the unique needs of child care professionals operating and working in home-based settings.

1-800-Children

Call 1-800-CHILDREN
(1-800-332-6378)

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1800CHILDREN@kcsl.org

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