Over 1,000 Early Childhood Providers and Stakeholders Call on Legislature to Support Governor Kelly’s Budget Proposals  

TOPEKA – Since Governor Laura Kelly introduced her budget in January, over 1,000 Kansas early childhood providers and stakeholders from all 105 counties have called on the legislature to support her budget proposal, a historic $56 million investment in early childhood services and workforce supports. If enacted, this would represent the largest single-year investment in early childhood care and education in Kansas history.  

“Early childhood providers are essential to preparing our children for lifelong success and know how critical it is to invest in our state’s early childhood system,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “Legislators should listen to these experts and approve the crucial budget proposals needed to expand access to child care, support our working families and businesses, and grow our economy.” 

In a letter to legislators, a coalition of child care providers and stakeholders from all 105 counties stated, “Access to high-quality child care is necessary for Kansas children and our economy to be able to thrive — it is critical infrastructure. For parents to be able to work, they need access to affordable child care. However, too many Kansas families are struggling with the high costs of child care. Investing in early childhood programs included in the budget will make child care more affordable and more available in communities from Kansas City to Garden City.”  

Governor Kelly’s budget focuses on three key elements of support for the early childhood sector: sustaining and supporting the early childhood workforce, expanding access to child care, and lowering costs for working families.