ELLY GRIMM
• Leader & Times
Early childhood development is extremely important in a person’s growth and recently, the State of Kansas took some action to help with just that.
Friday, Gov. Laura Kelly and a group of fellow Kansas legislators announced an early childhood compromise bill was introduced into both chambers of the Kansas Legislature. This bill streamlines the child care licensure processes and consolidates existing early childhood programs into the Office of Early Childhood, according to a release from the State of Kansas.
“By consolidating services, we can better support our youngest Kansans and provide communities with the tools they need to increase access to affordable, quality care,” Gov. Kelly noted in the release. “This compromise agreement will increase government efficiency, transparency, and accountability while streamlining how we provide these critical services, allowing Kansas to support young families, businesses, and communities in every corner of the state. Under this proposal, early childhood licensure and regulatory structures would be streamlined by clarifying professional qualification requirements and developing clear career progression pathways for early educators.”
The bill also authorizes the use of pilot programs for new licensure categories and eliminates the fee required for child care licensure, the State of Kansas release noted.
“This bipartisan child care bill removes the burdensome government red tape and provides additional child care slots to communities all across Kansas, both rural and urban,” Senator Tory Marie Blew, Kansas Senate District 33, noted in the State of Kansas release. “I look forward to getting this bill across the finish line and helping Kansas families. The bill consolidates nearly 20 existing state programs designed to support children and families into a single entity, the Office of Early Childhood. These programs include child care licensing, child care subsidy, home visitation, the current operations of the Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund, and Head Start programs. The Office would be led by an executive director who would serve as Kansas’ lead administrator for these services, be accountable for the state’s early childhood system, and serve legislators and communities with needs relating to early childhood care and education.”
The current staff and program costs would be retained, as these functions already exist in state government.
“Access to safe, high-quality childcare is essential for Kansas families and our workforce. This legislation provides a bipartisan solution that simplifies regulations, improves government efficiency, and removes unnecessary barriers that have limited childcare availability,” Representative Laura Williams, Kansas House District 30, noted in the State of Kansas release. “By streamlining processes while upholding strict safety standards, we are creating a system that supports children, increases access, and ultimately makes childcare more affordable for families across the state.”
This proposal follows the recommendations of the Early Childhood Transition Task Force, which Gov. Kelly formed via Executive Order 23-01, and collaboration between the Governor’s Office and legislative leaders during the 2024 legislative session. That order received praise from many throughout the state.
"I applaud the governor for having the vision to create this task force," Kansas Department of Health and Environment Secretary Janet Stanek noted in the January 2024 State of Kansas release. “I look forward to collaborating with policy experts and others to align on early childhood policy development within a future agency that will bring greater efficiencies and eliminate structural barriers for families, communities, and businesses."
“Gov. Kelly is a champion for Kansas children who understands that high-quality early learning opportunities and family support programs are among the best investments we can make as a state,” John Wilson, President of Kansas Action for Children, noted in the State of Kansas release. “The best policies and proposals are those that have been shaped by diverse stakeholders, which is why I am excited for the work of this task force. It will build upon the strong, collaborative work that's been happening across state agencies to improve the health and well-being of children and families.”
A similar proposal was previously passed by the Kansas House of Representatives by a vote of 110-10, with both Republican and Democratic leaders supporting it.
“This bipartisan compromise will propel Kansas early childhood system forward and be transformative for children and families,” Senator Pat Pettey, Kansas Senate District 6, noted in the State of Kansas release. “By passing this legislation, we can increase government efficiency, expand access to high-quality child care, and provide our children the best possible start.”
