Reno County Child Care Task Force

06/17/2026

📣 Reno County child care providers — we want to hear from you!

Over the past four years, the Reno County Child Care Task Force has worked to support, strengthen, and expand child care through ARPA-funded grants, training opportunities, infant care support, provider appreciation efforts, facility improvements, and more.

As this chapter of funding comes to an end, your feedback will help us understand what made the biggest difference, what challenges remain, and where the community should focus its efforts over the next 3–5 years.

Please take a few minutes to complete the provider follow-up survey:
👉 https://form.jotform.com/261543818182157

Thank you for the important work you do every day for children and families in Reno County. Your voice matters!

06/16/2026

What fun ideas! Make summer fun with milk jugs. 🥛 ☀️

Repurpose empty milk jugs for active play with Be Active Kids's 50 Physical Activities To Do With Milk Jugs! Children can use them as watering cans, drums, boxing gloves, and more. Check out this resource for fun low-cost physical activity ideas!

Find more resources like these in the Tips & Materials section of your Go NAPSACC account, or learn how to join here: https://gonapsacc.org/how-to-join

06/10/2026

🌟 Congratulations to Nevaeh Love, our June Provider of the Month!

Nevaeh serves children and families at the Buhler Beginnings location of Kids Collective, where she brings creativity, patience and joy into the classroom each day.

From leading crafts and encouraging self-expression to supporting toddlers through big milestones, Nevaeh is a wonderful example of the heart and dedication child care providers bring to Reno County families.

Thank you, Nevaeh, for helping children feel safe, supported and proud as they learn and grow. 💛

Read more about Nevaeh and her impact here: https://www.renocountychildcare.com/post/nevaeh-love-named-june-provider-of-the-month

06/10/2026

Grace Episcopal Church - Hutchinson, Kansas is looking for a caring and dependable nursery worker for Sunday mornings.

This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys working with young children and is looking for a small, consistent part-time role.

Position details:
🗓 Sundays
⏰ 9:45–11:45 AM
💲 $15/hour, $30 per Sunday

Interested or know someone who may be a good fit? Please contact Grace Episcopal Church at [email protected] for more information.

06/08/2026

☀️ Hey providers! Looking for affordable summer fun in Reno County? Here are some ideas!

💦 Visit a splash pad: FREE
Cool off at splash pads across Reno County: https://www.hutchinsonks.gov/529/Splash-Pads

🦁 Explore the Hutchinson Zoo: FREE

🎬 Catch a summer kids’ movie at the Fox Theatre: $4
The Fox Theatre Summer Kids’ Film Series is a fun and affordable way to enjoy the big screen!
Learn more: https://www.hutchinsonfox.com/kids-films

🍿 Make it extra special with a Kids Combo at the concession stand—for just $4, kids get a 12 oz. drink, 32 oz. popcorn, and a package of fruit snacks.

🏡 Try some DIY summer fun at home or in the backyard:
• Set up a sprinkler or water table
• Make sidewalk chalk obstacle courses
• Have a picnic lunch outside
• Create a backyard scavenger hunt
• Paint with water on sidewalks or fences
• Build forts with sheets, boxes, or outdoor furniture
• Host a bubble day with homemade bubble wands
• Read books outside under a shady tree

Summer fun doesn’t have to be expensive. Sometimes the simplest activities make the best memories! ☀️

06/04/2026

📣 Final Task Force-Sponsored Training Event for Reno County Child Care Providers

Reno County child care providers are invited to join us for a special professional development opportunity created just for you.

This 3-hour training event is being offered in partnership with KCCTO’s Pathways Program and will be the final Reno County Child Care Task Force-sponsored training event as ARPA funding comes to a close.

📅 Saturday, June 6
⏰ 9:00 AM–12:00 PM
📍 The Father’s House Church, 1505 East 20th Ave, Hutchinson, KS 67502
💲 Free
✅ KDHE Approved Clock Hours: 3

This event is especially important as we work to gather meaningful data about the impact these local training opportunities have had on Reno County child care providers.

Your participation will help us better understand and share the value of:
• Workforce growth
• Professional development impact
• Provider support needs
• Local access to quality training opportunities

Our hope is to use provider feedback and participation data to pursue future funding opportunities that could allow this initiative to continue.

If you’ve benefited from these trainings and would like to help shape what comes next, this is the one to attend.

📝 REGISTER TODAY: Providers must complete both registration steps here: https://www.renocountychildcare.com/training

Thank you for being part of this work and for continuing to invest in quality child care in Reno County. 💛

06/02/2026

💛 Strong communities are built when families, providers, businesses, and local leaders work together—and that collaboration is being recognized across Kansas.

The Reno County Child Care Task Force has been named a Child Care Community Champion by Child Care Aware of Kansas!

This statewide recognition celebrates communities working to strengthen local child care and support children, families, providers, and employers.

Over the past several years, the Task Force has partnered with providers, families, businesses, community organizations, and local leaders to address child care challenges in Reno County. Together, we’ve worked to expand child care capacity, support provider training, strengthen early learning, and help local child care businesses thrive.

This recognition belongs to our entire community and reflects what’s possible when people come together around a shared goal. As this work continues, Kids Collective will be part of carrying it forward alongside the many partners committed to strengthening child care in Reno County.

Thank you to everyone who has helped make this work possible!

05/28/2026

Big news for Reno County! 🎉

The Reno County Child Care Task Force will receive the Kansas Child Care Community Champion Designation from Child Care Aware of Kansas as part of the Child Care Friendly Communities Initiative.

This recognition honors the incredible collaboration happening across our community to strengthen child care, address local barriers, increase access, and invest in the child care workforce.

While the award will be presented to the Task Force, this recognition truly belongs to all of us—providers, partners, leaders, organizations, advocates, and community members working together to build a stronger future for children and families in Reno County.

Please join us as we celebrate this shared milestone!

📅 Monday, June 1, 2026
⏰ 4:00–5:00 PM
📍 Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce - 117 N. Walnut

Together, we make Reno County stronger. 💛

05/26/2026

Looking for a fun, FREE summer activity for kids? 📚☀️

Hutchinson Public Library’s Youth Summer Reading 2026: Unearth a Story runs June 1–July 31!

Kids who log books or reading hours through the Beanstack app can earn exciting prizes, including:

🎟️ A gate ticket to the Kansas State Fair
🌎 A youth pass for Exploration Place
🥤 A coupon for a free kids smoothie from Tropical Smoothie Cafe
🎁 Weekly prize drawing opportunities
🏆 A chance to win a grand prize for completing the program

Families can also enjoy free summer activities like crafts, story times, game days, music programs, and the Summer Celebration kickoff on June 5 from 9:00–11:30 AM in the library parking lot!

Learn more: https://www.hutchpl.org/

05/23/2026

📣 **ONE FINAL TRAINING!** 📣

As ARPA funding comes to a close, this will be the final RCCTF-sponsored training event for area child care providers.

This special event is more than professional development—it’s an opportunity to help us gather the data and provider feedback needed to potentially secure future funding and continue bringing local training opportunities to Reno County.

If these trainings have benefited you, help us finish strong! 💙

📅 **June 6, 2026**
⏰ **9:00 AM – 12:00 PM**
📍 **1505 East 20th Ave, Hutchinson**

⚠️ **Two registrations required:**
✅ RCCTF = $15/hour incentive
✅ CAPE/KCCTO = KDHE training hours certificate

See poster for details & registration links!