Strategic Plan

More from the Children’s Cabinet

  • Requests for Pr…
    The Kansas Child Care Capacity Accelerator will support community-based teams—including early childhood providers and champions, employers, and economic development leaders—in their efforts to create affordable and accessible child care seats in their communities. […]
  • 2023 Early Chil…
    On February 17, groups from the Kansas Early Childhood Governance System presented highlights, including progress to date, goals for 2022, and discuss opportunities to work together to accomplish the goals of the All in for Kansas Kids Strategic Plan. […]
  • Early Childhood…
    See upcoming Early Childhood Conference opportunities across Kansas and nationally. […]
  • Developmental H…
    Are you a parent of a child age birth to 5 (Pre-K) in Kansas? We need your help to improve early childhood developmental health experiences! If you are interested in participating, please register. Participants who attend the full session will receive a $100 stipend for their time, commitment, and input. […]
  • Available fundi…
    The Kansas Child Care Capacity Accelerator will support community-based teams—including early childhood providers and champions, employers, and economic development leaders—in their efforts to create affordable and accessible child care seats in their communities. […]

Goal 6: Workforce

Outcome Statement – Kansas leads the way in developing, supporting, and valuing early childhood professionals.

Kansans told us there is an urgent need for better compensation, benefits, and training for the early childhood workforce. Kansas is one of only 10 states without a workforce registry, which would offer early childhood professionals a place to document their development and quality improvement accomplishments.

We found unnecessary fragmentation across organizations, providers, and disciplines contributing to the early childhood workforce. We envision a cohesive system that recruits, retains, and advances a diverse workforce that is prepared and qualified to meet the changing needs of young children and families. Professionals will feel respected and valued, and they will have the resources they need to deliver high-quality services to children and families.

Key Findings addressed from the Needs Assessment

open padlock icon3 people iconsystem icon

What Will Success Look Like?

  • Kansas will employ an early childhood care and education workforce that is highly valued, fairly compensated, and well-trained, and represents the diversity of Kansas children and families.

  • Kansas state agencies will ensure effectiveness and fund key areas of professional development across the state through an aligned approach to contracts.

  • The Kansas early childhood care and education workforce will have clear and updated career pathways that acknowledge multiple entry points or on-ramps, and include connections to the high school level and two- and four-year institutions of higher education.

  • Kansas will regularly research, document, and address early childhood care and education workforce recruitment and retention challenges.

  • Kansas early childhood care and education programs will be guided by quality indicators and standards that include culturally and linguistically appropriate information.

  • Kansas will have a process in place to select, promote, and provide training, coaching, mentorship, and support to integrate best and/or evidence-based practices into service delivery for early childhood care and education professionals.

  • Kansas will establish and operate an early childhood care and education workforce registry.

  • The Kansas early childhood care and education workforce will be guided by an aligned and updated set of core competencies that prepares them to implement developmentally appropriate, responsive, and inclusive care.

View Indicators and Measures of Success

X