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The Northwest Kansas Economic Innovation Center (Innovation Center) wants to recognize childcare providers in the region. Child Care Provider Appreciation Day is Friday, May 8th. This day is an annual celebration that recognizes the work of child care providers, teachers, and other educators of young children.
The Innovation Center is collecting “thank you” messages from parents, businesses, and public officials to the childcare providers in their community. All messages will be added to a combined thank you video and released on May 8. Last year’s video can be seen online here: https://youtu.be/J1RzK9iWpis?si=_tnMMwsBfpWcrJeR
Submissions are being accepted from Cheyenne, Cloud, Decator, Ellis, Ellsworth, Gove, Graham, Jewell, Lincoln, Logan, Mitchell, Norton, Osborne, Ottawa, Phillips, Rawlins, Republic, Rooks, Russell, Saline Sheridan, Sherman, Smith, Thomas, Trego, and Wallace Counties.
Messages (and photos if desired), can be submitted through an online form here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NWKSChildcareAppreciation.
This project is not limited to messages from parents with children in childcare. “This is an opportunity for parents, businesses and communities to say THANK YOU to our childcare providers,” said Innovation Center Childcare Program Specialist, Dana Jo Stanton.
Currently there are 425 KDHE licensed childcare facilities (39 centers and 386 family childcare homes) in Northwest Kansas. “Four years ago, we had a total of 490 licensed childcare facilities in the region,” said Stanton. “Despite work to add new facilities we are still below pre-pandemic numbers. It is vital for our communities to support our current childcare providers, so those numbers do not worsen.”
The deadline to submit thank you messages is May 1, 2026.
Questions about this project, or childcare initiatives in Northwest Kansas can be forwarded to Stanton at 785-874-5150 or by email at danajstanton@nwkeici.org.
