The Northwest Kansas Economic Innovation Center, Inc. (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 (or through the QR code found
on the informational flyer).

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.