23 Oct McPherson County Expands Early Childhood Care Through State Grant
The McPherson County Community Foundation (MCCF) is proud to announce the successful completion of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and All in for Kansas Kids Child Care Zones grant.
Between June and September, McPherson and Marion County added 17 infant slots and 18 toddler slots, marking significant progress in expanding access to early childhood care. The largest increases came from two facilities in McPherson County: the Marquette Learning Center and Christ’s Kids located in Galva.
In total, the child care task forces in McPherson and Marion counties partnered with 34 providers: 21 in McPherson County and 13 in Marion County.
Through these efforts, more than $70,000 in funding was distributed directly to providers in McPherson County for technology upgrades, infant and toddler stipends, and Child Development Associate certification bonuses.
The McPherson County Child Care Zones initiative is designed to strengthen the community’s early childhood care and education system. Funded through the Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund, the program brings together local partners to expand access for families, create sustainable solutions for providers, and develop long-term strategies to support working parents.
Since its launch, the project has provided technology grants, infant and toddler stipends, and enrollment stability support to providers across the county. Collaboration with local businesses, the county health department, and nonprofit partners has led to new approaches in workforce development, subsidy use, and family outreach.
The Child Care Zones initiative will continue into it’s second year of funding starting now through October 2026, with a focus on creating lasting partnerships and expanding child care opportunities that meet the unique needs of McPherson County.
For more information:
Betsy Davis, MCCF Direction of Community Services
Betsy@McPhersonFoundation.org