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Impact your entire community with improved access to quality child care

Impact your entire community with improved access to quality child care

High-quality child care is essential to Kansas’ economic and social well-being. By improving the quality and availability of child care in our state, we can watch as our communities and our youngest citizens start to thrive. Join us in our goal to reach every child, every family, and every Kansan.

Enhance provider support.

Expand parental options.

Spread child care awareness.

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Challenges To Overcome

Challenges To Overcome

In many Kansas communities, there are not enough child care providers to meet the demand — which can make the availability and cost of care out of reach for some working families. But, increasingly low pay and high poverty rates threaten an already diminishing child care workforce. 

$23,440 median salary 1

Median annual wage for child care workers

-4.3% less income2

Early educators are paid 4.3% less than K-8 colleagues

19.7% poverty rate 2

Early educators’ poverty rate is almost double the state average

27% need support 2

Nearly 30% of early educators say they can’t afford the things they need

69% need child care 2

A majority of Kansas children under 6 live in a home where all adults work

37% have no options 3

Kansans often live in child care “deserts”

38% availability rates 2

Nearly 40% of counties have only 1 slot for every 10 kids

1.3x more expensive

Care center tuition is 1.3x more expensive than in-state college tuition.

1 Reference: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_ks.htm
2 Reference: https://kschildrenscabinet.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Needs-Assessment-2021-Update.pdf
3 Reference: https://cppr.ku.edu/using-data-collaborative-tool-child-care-crisis-kansas

Take action for children and families

Take action for children and families

You have the power to advocate for more quality child care options in your community. From sharing what you learn with your network to taking steps to expand care in your community, you can make a difference starting today.

Connect with our child care advocacy partners

Additional Resources

Data / Reports

Kansas Community Data Dashboard

Understand your local health, education and employment needs.

Child Care Aware – Data Reports

Explore the status of child care supply and demand in your area.

KS Needs Assessment

A comprehensive review of the early care and education system.

Strategic Plan

View the All In For Kansas Kids Strategic Plan.

Data Explorer – ECTTAS

Search for data on various early care and education topics.

EES Reports

View Economic and Employment Services Reports from DCF.

Kansas Demographic Data

Access statistics on children, youth and families in Kansas.

Laws / Regulations

CCL Regulations

Explore Kansas Child Care Licensing (CCL) Regulations.

CCDF Regulations & State Plan

Learn more about the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF).

Kansas Disaster Plan

Get to know the state disaster plan for child care providers.

Early Childhood For Communities

Community Child Care Support Center

Resources from Child Care Aware of Kansas to address local challenges.

Sesame Street in Communities

Resources to help children grow smarter, stronger and kinder.

Zero to Three

Parent resources for helping children’s growth and development.

UMHMF – ABC

The Attachment and Biobehavioral Catch-up (ABC) home visiting program.

CBCAP

Community-based child abuse prevention program and resources.

Local Breastfeeding Coalitions

Directory of local breastfeeding coalitions in Kansas.

Greenbush

Community-based child development resources and support.