Early learning bus tour connects Missouri policymakers with local providers

Nov 09, 2026
| Posted in
Early Learning
Participants in the Early Learning Bus Tour outside of a child care center

Missouri legislators and legislative staff recently joined the MARC Early Learning team and Kids Win Missouri’s policy fellows on a bus tour of early education programs in the Kansas City region.

As participants visited some of the region’s high-quality early learning programs, they heard directly from educators and providers about their experiences, priorities and needs. The tour also created space for open discussion about current and emerging early education policy changes and potential regional impacts.

“The time together allowed us to discuss opportunities to strengthen access to high-quality early learning and discuss ways to better support children, families and providers,” said Toni Sturdivant, MARC’s Early Learning Department director. 

Attendees visited the following childcare providers:

  • Kids in Christ Academy
  • Children's Place Mobile Therapy Unit
  • Start at Zero Play Cafe
  • Granny's House KC
  • Sunshine Daycare and Learning Center
  • Excelsior Springs Early Childhood Center

The Oct. 23 event was funded through a grant from Kids Win Missouri.

Bus tour guests.
Bus tour guests.
Tour participants inside a center
Early Learning bus tour participants inside an early education classroom.
Early Learning bus tour participants inside an early education classroom.

Additional program details

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