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Nearly 700,000 children are growing up in Kansas.- The Statehouse in Topeka is focused on making our next generation a priority. Among their work this year is included providing access to quality learning programs—like Early HeadStart, PreK programs, and Parents as Teachers.
- The Statehouse in Topeka is focused on making our next generation a priority. Among their work this year is included providing access to affordable child care through the Child Care Assistance Program
- The Statehouse in Topeka is focused on making our next generation a priority. Among their work this year includes addressing Childhood Obesity
What is Smart Start?
SMART START of RENO/RICE COUNTIES is a parterning agency whose focus is to improve and support families and child care providers with children age 0 through 5. The design is to ensure that children are healthy and ready to succeed in school.
SMART START of RENO/RICE COUNTIES partners with many agencies in this initiative which includes but is not limited to:.
Child Care Links
Child Start/KQRS
Early Education Center
Early Head Start
Head Start
Healthy Families/KCSL
Hutchinson Community College Early Childhood Education Center
Hutchinson Community Foundation
Promise Regional Medical Center
Kanas Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies/KACCRRA
Including the TEACH and WAGE$ Programs
Partner Agencies for Child Excellence/PACE
Parents as Teachers
Reno County Health Department/RCHD
Reno County Growth Coalition
Child Development Associate/CDA
Kansas Social and Rehabilitation Services /SRS
Center for Hope Child and Family Counseling
CISRC
Rice County Parent as Teachers/PAT
Rice County Communities in Schools/RCCCF
First Christian Church Preschool
Kansas Department of Commerce
Kansas Registered Early Childhood Associate Apprenticeship Program/ECAAP
Reno/Rice counties area Childcare and Preschool Centers
SMART START of RENO/RICE COUNTIES is supported by a grant that is administered through the Kansas Children's Cabinet.
Janet Hamilton, Hutchinson Community College, is the grant writer.
Hutchinson Community Foundation is the fiscal agent.
For more information/help contact:
Dr. Marilyn Graham, Director
Smart Start of Reno/Rice Counties
200 West 2nd Avenue, Suite A
Hutchinson, KS 67501-5236
Office: 620-669-5047
Email: rcss1@sbcglobal.net
Read to a Preschooler
Dr. Berger, President of Hutchinson Community College, reads to children at the HCC Child Care Center.
Terry Bruce, Kansas State Senator, reads to children in the Kansas Preschool Program at Holy Cross Elementary School.
Speaker of the House, Michael O'Neal, read to children in the Kansas Preschool Program at Buhler Grade School while Pat Starr read to the children at Montessori Preschool.
CDA News
Smart Start of Reno/Rice Counties will soon be scheduling new Child Development Associate degree/CDA classes.
The CDA credential is widely recognized as a sign of professionalism throughout the early childhood education field.
If you are interested in earning the CDA credential and would like financial assistance to make this possible, please contact:
Kathy Kappenman
or
Dr. Marilyn Graham
Kaleidoscope
Kaleidoscope Was A Success!
Over 180 child care providers and early childhood professionals attended Kaleidoscope this year. Highlights included keynote speaker, Dr. Chuck Smith, whose presentation, "A Noble Soul: An exploration of what a conscience is and how it emerges in the early childhood years and what happens when conscience fails to thrive" was informative and entertaining. Participants had the opportunity to chose from 18 breakout sessions.
Plan now to attend Kaleidoscope the first Saturday of November 2010.
Week of the Young Child
Week of the Young Child takes places April 11-17, 2010.
Fun and Free activities for children age 8 and under and their families are scheduled.
Activities are scheduled at:
Dillon Nature Center
Kansas Kids Museum
Hutchinson Public Library
Hutcherson Center
Hutchinson Zoo
Gallery 7
Reno County Museum
Memorial Hall with the Family Children's Theater performing
For more information on times and specific activities contact:
Ms. KaAnn Graham, Director
Early Education Center
663-2671
or
Dr. Marilyn Graham, Director
Smart Start of Reno/Rice Counties
669-5047