An Early Childhood Education Initiative

Access to quality early childhood education is important to the quality of life and economic health of every community. 

NW Kansas CARES for Kids includes multiple grants designed to assist childcare centers and qualified family childcare homes (formerly group homes) in attracting and retaining staff, providing educational materials, and also helping to sustain existing slots and to provide more slots for Northwest Kansas children.

Eligibility

The initiative is limited to licensed nonprofit childcare centers or qualifying nonprofit family childcare homes (formerly group homes) located in the 26-county area served by the Dane G. Hansen Foundation.

Qualifying childcare centers must:

• be licensed by the state of Kansas for at least 13 children
• accept children ages 2-weeks to 6-years of age
• be open at least 3 and less than 24 hours a day

Qualifying childcare homes must:

• have NONPROFIT status
• be located in a community without a licensed daycare center
• be licensed by the state of Kansas for up to 12 children
• accept children ages 2-weeks to 6-years of age
• employ at least 2 staff members
• childcare facility is not located in the provider’s residence

Preschools or family childcare homes that do not meet the above criteria, are not eligible for these grants.

Grants from the Hansen Foundation are available only to nonprofit organizations. For-profit centers that meet the above criteria can apply for similar assistance through the  Innovation Center.