Showcasing high-quality early learning in the Kansas City region

For more than two decades, MARC has focused on early childhood education. Over the last couple of years, we’ve worked with stakeholders in early childhood education (ECE) to advance a comprehensive, community-based opportunity for the Kansas City region.

Understanding the issue

Data in a 2023 report by Kids Win Missouri and IFF found that nearly 32,000 infant and toddler child care slots are needed in the Kansas City region, and nearly 6,000 prekindergarten spots are also needed. Another report from 2025 found that 10 counties in the Kansas City region have areas considered “child care deserts,” where the supply of care does not meet demand, especially for infants and toddlers. 

“Our community planning group is working towards a comprehensive, community-based solution,” said Toni Sturdivant, MARC Early Learning director. “We have concluded that we need to increase the supply of high-quality, affordable child care, especially for infants and toddlers; support and stabilize the child care workforce; and increase the affordability of quality child care.”

The community group started with defining quality early learning. ECE professionals agree that early learning environments have five commonalities: child-centered learning, interactive and engaging environments, strong relationships, holistic development, and reflective practice. Finding care is one issue. Another issue parents face is access to quality child care.

High-quality early learning environments can look different

T’Kayla Callahan, MARC Early Learning coordinator, recently took local reporters from The Beacon, The Labor Beacon and KCUR on an ECE impact tour of five child care providers in the Kansas City, Missouri, region to showcase high-quality early learning environments.

Each tour was program-led, giving space for leadership and staff to explain why quality matters, share the program's history, and describe the curriculum and services offered. Locations were chosen based on the learning approach and environment offered.

“This was an opportunity to bridge new relationships between local media and early childhood programs, see what high-quality looks like visually, and highlight ‘hidden gems’ doing impactful work for young learners and families,” Callahan said.

“High quality in early childhood education is not one size fits all. Quality care and education approaches can be seen across learning settings and curriculum approaches.”

The providers visited were:

• EarlystART Early Childhood Center – this center focuses on art, with creative and hands-on learning.
• The Hundred Wonders Preschool and Academy – located in a church, this provider uses the Reggio Emilia approach.
• Brookside Montessori – this center uses a Montessori approach.
• Erma L. Williams Learning Center at Paseo Baptist Church – This church-based providers uses a Real-world approach.
• Bare Essentials Childcare Center – this provider also focuses on arts with a creative and hands-on approach.

Work toward change

Callahan and Sturdivant also represent the MARC Early Learning department in the Seeds of Change initiative, a community-rooted effort to address fair and sustainable early childhood opportunities. Seeds of Change is the next level of activity for the Connecting the P.I.E.C.E.S. committee, created by MARC.

Callahan said a key goal of the community work is to highlight the field through the power of storytelling and attract more teachers to early learning careers. And, on Jan. 19, Callahan, Sturdivant and other members of the Seeds of Change initiative held “Planting Seeds: Early Care and Education Reimagined Summit,” an event for people interested in a career in early childhood education.

Attendees participated in a morning of dynamic collaboration and hands-on early childhood education activities facilitated by community leaders, educators and advocates.

“The Planting Seeds Summit brought together individuals interested in entering the early childhood field, early childhood programs from across the Kansas City area and community organizations committed to supporting early child care education,” Sturdivant said. “We will continue to connect passionate individuals with meaningful career opportunities in the field of early learning with more events and opportunities in the future.”