early childhood education

Some child care centers closed and others turned away families during months of missed payments caused by software problems. But Education Commissioner Karla Eslinger said 70% of that backlog has been resolved.

The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is weeks behind in paying subsidies for child care centers and families. Centers already were facing financial issues.

Missouri child care providers began complaining that they were missing months of payments from the state and were close to shuttering. But the state won't meet its goal to clear the backlog by the end of October.

There aren’t enough child care openings for Kansas families, and the ones that do exist can cost more than a home mortgage.

Three Kansas City schools were surprised with $10,000 each last week from the local nonprofit BeGreat Together. The grant is intended to help teachers at historically underfunded public schools enhance the classroom experience.

In Missouri, just under 25% of its Head Start centers are within a walkable distance from a public transit spot — making the early childhood program less accessible to families without reliable transportation.

Refugees coming to Kansas City often need to learn how to drive in order to get a job or go to school. One Congolese man is stepping up to teach his fellow compatriots. Plus: Despite the fact that child care can cost more than a mortgage in Kansas, providers say they can barely afford to stay open.

Child care is expensive for families, yet it doesn't bring in enough money for providers to grow or pay workers high wages. Kansas is at a crossroads.

The increased reimbursement rate will go to child care providers who accept a subsidy to increase access for low-income and foster families.

New research found the pandemic led to drops in the percent of kids who were receiving early intervention and early childhood special education, both nationally and in Missouri.

The state funding is divided into two pots; more than $55 million is set aside for school districts and charter schools, while about $26 million is available for community-based child care providers. The programs are supposed to prioritize low-income families.

Since the retirement of Mesner Puppet Theater creator Paul Mesner, the nonprofit arts organization moved to a new home and rebranded as What If Puppets. They're also doubling down on a new focus: early childhood education.