Childcare is getting stronger in Saline County.
The Early Childcare Initiative exists because childcare here hasn’t always been easy—providers have been stretched thin, staffing has been hard, and families have struggled to find care. Over the last two years, our community has come together to change that.
Together with donors and partners, we’ve invested more than $550,000 directly into local childcare programs. That support has helped increase wages by over $2 an hour, retain staff, and keep childcare centers open at a time when many were at risk of closing.
The result is more stability for providers, more reliable care for families, and stronger starts for children across Saline County. This progress matters—and it’s only possible because our community believes in childcare.
Click HERE to support the Early Childcare Initiative Fund.
Thank you to Our Diamond Donor
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What Is the Early Childcare Initiative?
The Early Childcare Initiative is a community effort to strengthen childcare in Saline County. It exists to support local childcare providers, improve pay and staffing, and make sure families can find and afford reliable care.
Through funding, partnerships, and shared solutions, the initiative helps childcare centers stay open, retain staff, and continue serving families. It’s about investing in the people who care for our kids and building a childcare system that works better for everyone.
Why Childcare Matters:
Childcare matters because it makes everything else possible. Families depend on it so they can work. Employers depend on it to keep their workforce. And children depend on it for safe, consistent care during their earliest years.
Many childcare providers face staffing shortages, often because wages haven’t kept up. That can lead to closed classrooms, fewer available spots, and families struggling to find care. When we support childcare workers and providers, care becomes more stable—and the whole community benefits.
Where We Started:
Historically, Childcare in Kansas was supported by tobacco settlement dollars. When those funds were eliminated in 2012, communities like Salina were left to address growing gaps in childcare. In response, Salina convened a local childcare coalition to identify ways to strengthen and sustain the childcare industry.
In 2023, Salina Area United Way was designated as the lead organization for this effort. Together with community partners, we launched the Early Childhood Impact Fund (ECIF), implementing the program in phases to ensure thoughtful and sustainable growth.
Phase 1:
The initial phase focused on workforce stabilization through wage supplement grants for childcare centers. For the 2024–2025 and 2025–2026 grant years. The ECIF supports wage increases to $18 per hour for lead teachers and $15 per hour for teacher assistants, helping providers recruit and retain qualified staff. Over the last 2 grant cycles approximately $550,000 dollars have been granted out- an average of $2/hr per worker!
Phase 2:
Beginning in 2026, ECIF will expand to support the broader Early Childhood ecosystem, both geographically and systemically. This expansion will include bringing on Ellsworth County and in-home childcare providers, recognizing their critical role in meeting community needs. Providers will also have the opportunity to expand operating hours with grant support, increasing access for working families.
In addition to wage support, ECIF is introducing wellness and sustainability initiatives for providers. These include gym memberships for in-home providers, the development of additional wellness supports, Longevity Stipends, and bookkeeping assistance to help providers strengthen their business operations and long-term viability.
Moving Forward:
You can help grow the Early Childcare Endowment and create lasting change for children, families, and educators in our community. Contributions of any size — including planned gifts and legacy giving — move us closer to a sustainable future for early childcare in Salina.
Our goal is to build our Early Childcare Endowments to $10 million. This will sustain the Early Childcare Initiative long-term.
To learn more about contributing to the Early Childcare Endowment click HERE or contact Salina Area United Way.
Childcare is getting stronger in Saline County.
The Early Childcare Initiative exists because childcare here hasn’t always been easy—providers have been stretched thin, staffing has been hard, and families have struggled to find care. Over the last two years, our community has come together to change that.
Together with donors and partners, we’ve invested more than $550,000 directly into local childcare programs. That support has helped increase wages by over $2 an hour, retain staff, and keep childcare centers open at a time when many were at risk of closing.
The result is more stability for providers, more reliable care for families, and stronger starts for children across Saline County. This progress matters—and it’s only possible because our community believes in childcare.
Support the Early Childcare Initiative
Our Lead Teachers and Teachers' Assistants need your help. On average, our Lead Teachers currently earn about $6,000/year below living wages; our Teachers' Assistants earn about $4,000/year below living wages. We have a large number of Lead Teachers and Teachers' Assistants that need our help.
Now is the time to Unite for our Children and "Sponsor A Teacher". Your sponsorship will help ensure that all of our childcare Lead Teachers and Teachers' Assistants earn a living wage. This will help get our centers fully staffed with quality teachers, resulting in opening more childcare slots.
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The Salina Area United Way has established Early Childcare Endowment funds through Greater Salina Community Foundation and Thrivent Charitable, totaling approximately $1.2 million in long-term investments dedicated to strengthening early childcare in our community.
These endowments are designed to create a lasting, sustainable impact by supporting childcare centers and educators for generations to come. By building permanent resources, Salina Area United Way is ensuring that quality early childcare remains accessible and that educators are supported well into the future.
Currently, it takes approximately $580,000 per year to help address the wage gap for early childcare teachers in our community. To sustainably support this need long term, the Early Childcare Endowment goal is $10 million, which would allow approximately $500,000 annually to be distributed in perpetuity to support the Early Childcare Initiative.
Through this endowment, Salina Area United Way is investing in the future of our children, our workforce, and the overall vitality of our community.
“Through the Early Childcare Initiative, we are excited about the partnerships, connections, and community support coming together to strengthen early childcare in Salina. We truly are stronger when we are United.”
— Christina Small, Executive Director, Salina Area United Way
Join us in creating forever impact.
You can help grow the Early Childcare Endowment and create lasting change for children, families, and educators in our community. Contributions of any size — including planned gifts and legacy giving — move us closer to a sustainable future for early childcare in Salina.
To learn more about contributing to the Early Childcare Endowment, please contact Salina Area United Way. Thank you for your continued support.
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