This week several cites across McPherson County have proclaimed April 11–17 as the Week of the Young Child. Proclamations were made at Monday’s Lindsborg City Council meeting and Tuesday’s McPherson City Commission meeting, among others.
Celebrated nationwide, the week is an annual event sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, the world’s largest early childhood education organization with nearly 60,000 members and 51 affiliates. The event highlights the needs of young children and their families, recognizes the programs that support them, and celebrates the educators who make early learning possible.
In a proclamation signed by McPherson Mayor James Loving, city leaders noted that teachers and caregivers who shape the lives of young children deserve recognition, and that strong public policies supporting early learning are essential to the community’s future.
To mark the week, the McPherson County Community Foundation is funding small events and services at libraries across the county through Child Care Zones family outreach funds. Each library will host activities centered on early learning. For example, the Lindsborg Community Library will offer a story walk, while the Moundridge Public Library will host a public story time and provide materials for children to create music makers during its music day.
The Childcare Task Force, established by the foundation in 2023, brings together community organizations and childcare providers to assess childcare needs in McPherson County and develop solutions.
In 2023, the group secured more than $600,000 from the Child Care Capacity Accelerator. The funding was distributed to three licensed childcare providers to help expand operations and increase available childcare seats.
In 2024, Cradle to Crayons received tax credits for a new building project that will expand its capacity to provide quality childcare.
The foundation has also awarded grants to several licensed childcare facilities throughout the county. Most recently, Christ Kids in Galva received $20,000 for facility renovations, including plumbing upgrades required to meet Kansas licensing requirements for toddler care.
In 2025 and 2026, MCCF partnered with the Marion County Childcare Task Force to use Child Care Zones funding to strengthen childcare in both counties. This support created professional development opportunities for early educators and provided infant and toddler stipends, increasing available infant and toddler childcare spots by 35. In year one of Childcare Zones the counties received a combined $124,662 in support.
To continue this work, the foundation and Childcare Task Force established the Childcare Dream Fund. The goal is to create a permanent resource that childcare providers in McPherson County can rely on as they work to offer quality, affordable care.
