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Childcare Grants

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Childcare Grants

NW Kansas Cares for Kids is a grant initiative for childcare facilities. The purpose of this initiative is to attract and retain quality staff in childcare facilities and provide resources that address quality of care and childcare equipment sustainability.

Eligibility:

The eligibility requirements for this grant initiative are as follows:

  • The facility must have a current KDHE license with no issued administrative orders.
  • The facility must be for-profit. There are similar initiatives for non-profit facilities with the Dane G. Hansen Foundation.
  • The facility must be in the Innovation Center service area: Cheyenne, Rawlins, Decatur, Norton, Phillips, Smith, Jewell, Republic, Sherman, Thomas, Sheridan, Graham, Rooks, Osborne, Mitchell, Cloud, Wallace, Logan, Gove, Trego, Ellis, Russell, Lincoln, Ottawa, Ellsworth, or Saline Counties.
  • The facility must accept children newborn to six years of age.
  • The facility must be open at least four hours a day.
  • The facility must be a licensed childcare center OR a qualifying family childcare facility (in a commercial or residential setting) in a community without a childcare center.

    In addition to the eligibility requirements listed above, qualifying family childcare facilities must:
    • Be in a community without a childcare center.
    • Have at least two staff members.
    • Serve at least 8 children.

Grant Descriptions

The Innovation Center is pleased to offer the following grants to support for-profit childcare facilities. These grants are competitive, and funding is not guaranteed.

Childcare Staff Retention Grant: The Early Childhood Education Staff Retention Grant is designed to provide financial recognition for childcare staff, reduce costs associated with staff turnover, and stabilize the workforce. This grant enables full-time and part-time staff members in good standing to earn a longevity bonus for every six months they stay employed at the same center. Bonuses range from $75 to $800 every six months based on longevity and employment status.

The Staff Retention Grant can be reapplied for yearly.

Childcare Facility Discretionary Grant: The childcare discretionary grant allows grantees to choose the support most needed for their facilities. In addition to the childcare staff retention grant, grantees may choose to apply for 1 of the following. This new description gives applicants the ability to choose the funding that best suits their needs.

  • Early Childhood Education Montessori Kit Grant: This grant covers the cost of a Montessori curriculum kit, which includes training videos and instructions for the teachers as well as time- tested, high-quality learning tools and manipulatives designed to last for many years. The Early Childhood Education Montessori Kit Grant can only be awarded once every ten years.

  • Literacy Grant: This grant provides funds to purchase high-quality children’s books to create or enhance the center’s library. Childcare Centers are eligible for $1,000. Qualifying family childcare facilities are eligible for $500. The literacy grant can only be awarded once every ten years.

  • Equipment Grant: This grant provides $500 for new childcare equipment. Grantees must include a bid/price listing for the specific equipment they would like to purchase. Equipment must be directly utilized in the childcare business. The equipment grant can only be awarded once every ten years.

Application Process:
There is one master application for all three grants. The application is found here.

In addition to the application, each applicant must provide at least one financial statement. Acceptable financial statements include a balance sheet, income statement or a copy of the most recent tax return (first page only). If the applicant is applying for the equipment grant, they must provide a copy of the bid/price listing for the specific equipment they would like to purchase.

Please forward completed application and supporting documents via email to: danajstanton@nwkeici.org.

Applications are accepted twice a year on April 25 or October 25.

Questions, or assistance with the grant application can be directed to Innovation Center Childcare Program Specialist, Dana Jo Stanton at danajstanton@nwkeici.org or 785-874-5150.

Childcare Grants

NW Kansas Cares for Kids is a grant initiative for childcare facilities. The purpose of this initiative is to attract and retain quality staff in childcare facilities and provide resources that address quality of care and childcare equipment sustainability.

Eligibility

The eligibility requirements for this grant initiative are as follows:

  • The facility must have a current KDHE license with no issued administrative orders.
  • The facility must be for-profit. There are similar initiatives for non-profit facilities with the Dane G. Hansen Foundation.
  • The facility must be in the Innovation Center service area: Cheyenne, Rawlins, Decatur, Norton, Phillips, Smith, Jewell, Republic, Sherman, Thomas, Sheridan, Graham, Rooks, Osborne, Mitchell, Cloud, Wallace, Logan, Gove, Trego, Ellis, Russell, Lincoln, Ottawa, Ellsworth, or Saline Counties.
  • The facility must accept children newborn to six years of age.
  • The facility must be open at least four hours a day.
  • The facility must be a licensed childcare center OR a qualifying family childcare facility (in a commercial or residential setting) in a community without a childcare center.

    In addition to the eligibility requirements listed above, qualifying family childcare facilities must:
    • Be in a community without a childcare center.
    • Have at least two staff members.
    • Serve at least 8 children.

Grant Descriptions

The Innovation Center is pleased to offer the following grants to support for-profit childcare facilities. These grants are competitive, and funding is not guaranteed.

Childcare Staff Retention Grant: The Early Childhood Education Staff Retention Grant is designed to provide financial recognition for childcare staff, reduce costs associated with staff turnover, and stabilize the workforce. This grant enables full-time and part-time staff members in good standing to earn a longevity bonus for every six months they stay employed at the same center. Bonuses range from $75 to $800 every six months based on longevity and employment status.

The Staff Retention Grant can be reapplied for yearly.

Childcare Facility Discretionary Grant: The childcare discretionary grant allows grantees to choose the support most needed for their facilities. In addition to the childcare staff retention grant, grantees may choose to apply for 1 of the following. This new description gives applicants the ability to choose the funding that best suits their needs.

  • Early Childhood Education Montessori Kit Grant: This grant covers the cost of a Montessori curriculum kit, which includes training videos and instructions for the teachers as well as time- tested, high-quality learning tools and manipulatives designed to last for many years. The Early Childhood Education Montessori Kit Grant can only be awarded once every ten years.

  • Literacy Grant: This grant provides funds to purchase high-quality children’s books to create or enhance the center’s library. Childcare Centers are eligible for $1,000. Qualifying family childcare facilities are eligible for $500. The literacy grant can only be awarded once every ten years.

  • Equipment Grant: This grant provides $500 for new childcare equipment. Grantees must include a bid/price listing for the specific equipment they would like to purchase. Equipment must be directly utilized in the childcare business. The equipment grant can only be awarded once every ten years.

Application Process:
There is one master application for all three grants. The application is found here.

In addition to the application, each applicant must provide at least one financial statement. Acceptable financial statements include a balance sheet, income statement or a copy of the most recent tax return (first page only). If the applicant is applying for the equipment grant, they must provide a copy of the bid/price listing for the specific equipment they would like to purchase.

Please forward completed application and supporting documents via email to: danajstanton@nwkeici.org.

Applications are accepted twice a year on April 25 or October 25.

Questions, or assistance with the grant application can be directed to Innovation Center Childcare Program Specialist, Dana Jo Stanton at danajstanton@nwkeici.org or 785-874-5150.

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