Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly is set to speak at a groundbreaking ceremony for a new 24/7 early childhood center coming to Lawrence.
Lawrence’s Community Children’s Center hopes to open its Early Childhood Community Center (ECCC) during late fall 2024, according to a news release. Aimed at being accessible and affordable to community members, the ECCC will provide services at all times and tuition will be set on a sliding scale.
“This is a transformative chapter in our history,” Will Averill, director of communications and development for the Community Children’s Center, said in the release. “The Early Childhood Community Center will be a cornerstone in our community, offering round-the-clock care, professional training for early childhood caregivers, a Family Resource Center, and an indoor playground accessible to all children in Douglas County.”
The Community Children’s Center, a nonprofit child care organization, was established in 1965 to serve Douglas County.
A 2022 grant from the county, utilizing funds from the American Rescue Plan, launched the ECCC. The Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund then granted the Community Children’s Center $4.9 million in state funding.
State funding for the ECCC in Lawrence is part of the $10.2 million Kelly has committed to build or renovate community multipurpose facilities in Lawrence, Hays and Emporia, as well as add 310 licensed child care slots. The ECCC will have the capacity to provide 69 slots for children.
The groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for 3:30 to 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16 at the Children’s Community Center, 346 Maine St. in Lawrence. It’s free to attend.
Kelly will be present to discuss the importance of early childhood care in Douglas County.
There will be entertainment at the event, and those in attendance can take an early tour of the building. In addition to the groundbreaking ceremony, the event will include the unveiling of the organization’s rebranded logo.
Visit the Children’s Community Center’s website, communitychildrenks.org, to learn more about the organization.
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Maya Hodison (she/her), equity reporter, can be reached at mhodison (at) lawrencekstimes (dot) com. Read more of her work for the Times here. Check out her staff bio here.
