Promoting Quality Early Learning in Greater Kansas City

The vision of the Metropolitan Council on Early Learning is that all children will enter school prepared for success. A part of the Mid-America Regional Council since 1989, MCEL serves as a think tank and change catalyst for the development and implementation of an early learning system in Greater Kansas City to make this vision a reality.

In the eight-county MARC region, approximately 650 centers and 1,700 family child care programs provide early learning programs to nearly 50,000 children daily.

The wisdom of ensuring children attend high-quality early learning programs is clear. Numerous studies show a return on investment of up to 700 percent as a result of targeted funding spent on high-quality early learning programs. However, early learning programs and initiatives in Greater Kansas City often lack the resources to consistently provide high quality experiences to the children currently attending these programs. As a result, nearly one in three children arrive at school without the skills needed to succeed.

MCEL works with an extensive network of community partners from the public and private sector to develop and implement an early learning system that supports families and prepares children for success in school. Through Partners in Quality, leaders from early learning initiatives and programs, business, elected officials, and education guide the work of MCEL through strategic planning, advocacy, and the development of short and long term work plans.

For more information on MCEL and its work, please contact Jim Caccamo at 816-474-4240 or jcaccamo@marc.org.