Kansas used to do a much better job than Missouri of regulating child-care centers. But the state really can’t make that claim anymore.

Kansas is joining six other states that are providing a set of standards for people who work with children 6 and younger.

Quality, availability, cost of child care a tough balancing act

Child-care providers who want to see changes in the current child-care system can voice their opinions from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Plaza Inn, 1911 E. Kansas Ave., during a Kansas Department of Health and Environment listening tour.

A new program provides substitute child care employees to area child care centers. ERC Resource & Referral, a nonprofit agency, and Key Staffing, a for-profit employment agency, have created a partnership that provides trained and screened substitutes for child care centers in Shawnee County. A Capital Area Smart Start grant provides additional funding for the program, called Caring Connections.

Studies and reports… They all come back with the same results. The early years are the most important in determining children's success in school and beyond.