As a parent or a business owner, I want to honor the valuable work of a community child care facility, early childhood educator, or a family child care facility.
Please note that only early childhood educators that work in or operate a KDHE licensed childcare facility or those on Fort Riley DoD facilities will be recognized.
Research tells us that children enrolled in quality early childhood education programs in the first five years of life are most likely to be ready for school and in a highly skilled job or in college by age 21. The Child Care Taskforce, organized by the Chamber, has been working to develop community solutions geared toward increasing capacity for child care slots, assisting current facilities with workforce challenges, and increasing support services.
When investments are made in early childhood education, there are short-term and long-term benefits:
A more sizable workforce, because child care enables parents (especially mothers) to participate in the workforce.
Increase parent (workforce) productivity due to lower employee turnover, reduced tardiness and absenteeism, higher employee morale and commitment, lower training and recruiting costs and increased employee performance.
A future workforce with the skills needed to compete in the 21st Century
A reduction of public expenditures on remedial education, criminal justice, and public assistance programs
Increased job growth
For more information about the recognition event on May 5th at Liquid Art Winery and/or to make a donation for awards, please contact Christian Bishop with the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce Christian@manhattan.org or Melissa Bowles:
littleappleece@gmail.com