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Kansas district-operated childcare programs not only give children the building blocks needed to transition to kindergarten but also help in the vital retention of educators and other district staff.

As National Provider Appreciation Day on May 8 approaches, we take a look at two Kansas districts that are committed to their youngest learners and keeping their educators in the classroom.

Little Paws Daycare - Golden Plains USD 316 

Discouraged by others from opening a childcare center because it would be “a lot of work,” Brandy Spresser persisted and opened Golden Plains USD 316’s Little Paws Daycare in August 2020.

“If I could give anyone advice who is considering taking on this endeavor, it would be to not give up. It is worth it,” she said. “I will not say that it is always easy but it has always been worth it.”

Located north of Golden Plains Elementary School where Spresser serves as the principal and the daycare center’s director, Little Paws can serve up to 12 children. She said it is the only licensed childcare facility in a 17-mile radius of Selden, north and east of Colby. 

“Had the daycare not opened, we would have lost staff members and their children to another district,” Spresser said. “The daycare has addressed having childcare availability in our community.”

Selden, in Sheridan County, had a population of 184, when the 2020 U.S. Census was taken.

Created with the full support of Golden Plains USD 316’s board of education and administration, Little Paws is able to keep the fees paid by families low and provide pay raises for the center’s childcare providers, Spresser said, because of numerous grants from northwest Kansas charitable organizations and the generosity of the school community.

“Since we are such a small, rural school, it is imperative that the daycare can run on its own, without taking funding from the district itself,” she said. “I look at the daycare across the street every day and I feel so blessed to have my own children in the care of our wonderful providers.” 

Lil’ Hawks Early Learning Program – Hutchinson USD 308 

“Leading with Heart, United in Purpose,” is more than a slogan for the staff of Hutchinson USD 308’s Lil’ Hawks Early Learning Program. 

“It reflects how we support our staff, engage families, and create nurturing environments where children feel safe, connected, and ready to learn,” according to Katie Helfrich, director of the Lil’ Hawks program.

Hutchinson USD 308 started its child care program in 1999, located at Hutchinson High School and built by the school’s building trades students. The facility was constructed to keep teen mothers in school, but the majority of the children in the program are those of district staff. 

Helfrich said a “braided funding model” helps the district “strategically combine multiple funding sources within shared classrooms.” 

“This approach allows us to maximize resources, expand access, and ensure that more children—regardless of income—can benefit from high-quality early learning experiences,” she said. “It also allows us to be responsive to community needs without reducing services.”

The Lil’ Hawks staff are most proud of how they’ve intentionally built a data-driven, fully aligned birth-to-kindergarten system within USD 308. 

“Rather than operating separate programs, Lil’ Hawks brings together Head Start, Early Head Start, state preschool, and child care into one cohesive model,” Helfrich said. “This allows us to provide consistent expectations, curriculum, and family engagement practices across all settings—creating a seamless experience for children and families.”

Helfrich said Lil’ Hawks is soon expanding to serve 84 children. The new facility will include eight units/classrooms, two infant rooms, two mobile infant rooms, two toddler rooms, and 2 Pre-K rooms. She said the program has and will continue to help children develop stronger foundational skills in language, early literacy, and self-regulation.

“This has contributed to smoother kindergarten transitions, reduced need for early interventions, and stronger long-term academic outcomes,” she said.

Helfrich said another feature of the child care program is that Hutchinson High School students have the opportunity to gain real-world experience in early childhood classrooms while working toward their Child Development Associate (CDA) credential. 

“This not only supports students in exploring meaningful careers,” she said, “but also helps us build a pipeline of future educators.”