Home-Based Childcare Provider Recruitment Pilot

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Home-Based Childcare Provider Recruitment Pilot

This Northwest Kansas Economic Innovation Center, Inc. (Innovation Center) pilot project will recruit fifteen new home-based childcare providers in Northwest Kansas. The project will recruit new providers and provide childcare specific (through mentorship from current childcare professionals) and business follow-along support to establish them with long-term success. This pilot project is funded by a generous grant from the Patterson Family Foundation. The project will run from January 1, 2026, to December 30, 2027.

Information for Prospective Home-Based Participants

Eligibility Requirements for Potential Home-Based Providers:

Program participants must reside in Cheyenne, Cloud, Decatur, Ellis, Ellsworth, Gove, Graham, Jewell, Lincoln, Logan, Mitchell, Norton, Osborne, Ottawa, Phillips, Rawlins, Republic, Rooks, Russell, Sheridan, Sherman, Smith, Thomas, Trego, or Wallace counties.
Program participants must be at least 18 years of age and have either a high school diploma or GED.
Depending on participation rates, each county may have no more than two participants.

Home-Based Recruitment Frequently Asked Questions

Does the childcare facility have to be located in my personal residence?

Yes, this particular program is limited ONLY to childcare facilities located in the providers’ residence.

What if I have already started the steps to become a childcare provider? Am I still eligible for the program?

Yes, this pilot is open to potential providers who have not yet started, are just starting or nearing completion of the KDHE licensing process. A big part of this program are the business supports available to successfully launch a childcare business.

Is this program available for perspective providers in Saline County?

Unfortunately, the grant and mentorship piece of this program are not available in Saline County due to Patterson Family Foundation restrictions (the grant funder of the program). However, the other parts of the program are available to perspective providers from any of our typical 26-county service area – include Saline County.

Does attending an orientation session obligate me to participate in the program?

No, the purpose of the orientation is to help you decide if the program is a good fit for you AND the Innovation Center.

Are there restrictions placed on the $5,000 grant?

Yes, the grant must only be used for items listed in the business start-up budget. That being said, THE START-UP BUDGET IS 100% DETERMINED BY THE PARTICIPANT. THE PARTICIPANT SETS THE BUDGET AND SPENDS THE GRANT ON THE ITEMS OUTLINED IN THEIR BUDGET. We just want to make sure participants are using the budget process to get their new business started and sustained for the first few months.

Does the childcare business have to have a separate business checking account to participate in this program?

Yes, to participate in this grant program the new childcare business must have a separate business checking account. Grant checks cannot be issued to individuals.

What if I don’t want my childcare business to only be open five days a week?

We would prefer that your childcare business be open Monday through Friday but are willing to make exceptions to new programs in counties with high need. In this case, please contact the Innovation Center Childcare Program Specialist, Dana Jo Stanton danajstanton@nwkceici.org for consideration.

Program Expectations For Participants

Program participants must fill out an application and be accepted into the program. The Innovation Center reserves the right to approve or disapprove any application.
Program participants must sign a Home-Based Childcare Provider Recruitment Program Memorandum of Understanding.
Program participants will work to develop and open a KDHE licensed family childcare home in their personal residence. This program will not fund unlicensed childcare facilities.
This program is not available for non-residential childcare sites. The program participant must LIVE in the family childcare home.
The program participant must strive to serve at least SIX children in their family childcare home. At least two of these children can be the providers’ own children.
Program participants will be matched with a childcare mentor. Participants are expected to have at least one job shadowing experience with their mentor at their childcare residential site. Beyond that, participants are required to have at least one contact a month with their mentor.
Program participants must complete the following tasks with the help of the Innovation Center Childcare Program Specialist:
- A program orientation (1 hour).
- Completion of the Innovation Center’s “Childcare Business Essentials: Module 1 & 2” trainings. (3 hours)
- Completion of a start-up and operating budget. (2 hours)
Program participants must complete the Child Care Business Tax, Financial and Retirement Strategies training with a representative from the Innovation Center Business Services program. (1.5 hours)
The program participant will receive a $5,000 start-up grant after the following requirements are met:
- A program application is completed and approved by the Innovation Center.
- Sign a Home-Based Childcare Provider Program Memorandum of Understanding.
- Completion of the following Innovation Center trainings: Program orientation, Childcare Business Essentials: Modules 1 & 2, and Childcare Care Business Tax, Financial and Retirement Strategies.
- Completion of the KDHE childcare orientation and the KCCTO Health and Safety classes.
The program participant must complete all activities required by KDHE for the licensing of their family childcare home license within 8 months of acceptance of their program application.
The program participant must register and utilize an online childcare management system for at least one year following the establishment of their childcare license.
The program participants must participate in the CACFP program for at least one year following the establishment of their childcare license.
The program participant will be encouraged to reach out to local school districts, governments, hospitals and businesses to see if partnership opportunities exist. Innovation Staff will assist with this process.
The Innovation Center will pay for all required professional development classes for program participants to include CPR/First Aid, KCCTO Health and Safety Classes.
If the program participant must travel outside of their resident county for professional development or mentorship activities, the Innovation Center will reimburse the participant .70 a mile for approved travel more than 20 miles from their residence. Reimbursed travel must be approved ahead of time by the Innovation Center Childcare Program Specialist.
The program participant is responsible for all travel expenses within 20 miles of their residence.
The program participant must complete a post program satisfaction survey one year after starting the program.
The program participant must sign a release of information and be willing to participate in the Innovation Center, Dane G. Hansen, or Patterson Family Foundation program publications.
Innovation Center staff will sign confidentiality agreements and may not disclose any personal information about the program participant.

Online Application for Potential Home-Based Providers:
Potential home-based childcare providers should complete the online application located here:

Information for Potential Childcare Mentors

Mentor Eligibility Requirements:
The following eligibility criteria are mandatory for program mentors.

Mentors must reside in Cheyenne, Cloud, Decatur, Ellis, Ellsworth, Gove, Graham, Jewell, Lincoln, Logan, Mitchell, Norton, Osborne, Ottawa, Phillips, Rawlins, Republic, Rooks, Russell, Sheridan, Sherman, Smith, Thomas, Trego, or Wallace counties.
Mentors must be at least 18 years of age and have either a high school diploma or GED.
Mentors must own/operate a KDHE licensed family childcare home currently serving at least six children.
Mentors must live in their KDHE licensed family childcare home site.

While not required, preference will be given to mentors who meet the following criteria.

Mentors who participate in the CACFP program.
Mentors who utilize an online childcare management system.

Mentor Program Expectations:

Prospective mentors must fill out an application and be accepted into the program. The Innovation Center reserves the right to approve or disapprove any application.
Mentors must sign a Home-Based Childcare Provider Recruitment Program Memorandum of Understanding.
Mentors must complete an orientation with the Innovation Center Childcare Program Specialist.
Mentors must allow their mentee to job shadow for at least one day.
Mentors must initiate at least one contact a month with their mentee (via phone, email, text or zoom).
Mentors should expect to field more communications from their mentee in the months leading up to licensing than after.
Mentors must keep a log to document all contacts with their mentee. These logs must be submitted to the Innovation Center Childcare Program Specialist monthly.
Mentors are limited to two mentees.
Mentors should communicate, to their mentee, their preferred means of communication as well as the best times for that communication.
Mentors will receive a one-time stipend of $1,200 per mentee.
If the mentor must travel more than 20 miles from their residence for professional development or mentorship activities, the Innovation Center will reimburse .70 a mile. Mileage reimbursements must be approved ahead of time by the Innovation Center Childcare Program Specialist.
The mentor is responsible for all travel expenses within 20 miles of their residence.
The mentor must complete a post program satisfaction survey one year after starting the program.
The mentor must sign a release of information and be willing to participate in Innovation Center, Dane G. Hansen, or Patterson Family Foundation program publications.
Innovation Center staff will sign confidentiality agreements and may not disclose any personal information about the program participant or mentor.

Online Mentorship Application:
Potential mentors should complete the online application located here:

Additional Questions?
Please contact the Innovation Center Childcare Program Specialist, Dana Jo Stanton at danajstanton@nwkeici.org or 785-874-5150 if you have additional questions.

The Innovation Center reserves the right to approve or deny all applications. Slots are limited to fifteen new home-providers and mentors.

Childcare Grants

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