The Blueprint
Blueprint for Early Childhood
The Blueprint for Early Childhood is our state’s strategic framework for ensuring that every child thrives.
Young children, birth to 5, and their families rely on a strong foundation in the Kansas early care and education system. The Blueprint guides decision making system-wide and locally so that every community, every provider, and every parent can rely on a network of support that promotes healthy development, strong families, and early learning.
The 3 Building Blocks
Healthy Development, Strong Families, and Early Learning. These three building blocks are the foundation for collaboration across sectors and are intended to guide program design, partnership development, sharing of best practices, and tracking toward long-term outcomes for children and families.
Common Measures Initiative
Having a clear understanding of the data and science of early childhood programming enables us to direct resources to the most effective strategies at the right time for optimal impact.
The Common Measures Initiative relies on a shared measurement system to collect data across programs supported by the Children’s Cabinet. This data helps demonstrate the need for CIF, ECBG, and CBCAP services.
See the Common Measures for each Blueprint Building Block: Healthy Development, Strong Families, and Early Learning.
Healthy Development
Blueprint Goal
Early Identification
- Screen for healthy development
Measurement Goals
- Broad application of screenings and follow-up resources/referrals
- Application of measures of school readiness
Common Measures
ASQ-3
ASQ:SE
DECA
IGDIs
myIGDIs
Strong Families
Blueprint Goal
Parent Support
- Support parent involvement and leadership
Safe, Stable and Nurturing Relationships
- Promote safe, stable, and nurturing relationships to ensure children have strong healthy starts
- Promote, evaluate, and enhance evidence-based family support programs
Measurement Goals
- Measurement of parental support and stimulation for a child in their home environment
- Measurement of positive, supportive, and nurturing parenting and family environments
Common Measures
HOME
KIPS
PFS
Early Learning
Blueprint Goal
Early Literacy
- Support the use of early learning standards to increase consistency and quality of services
Measurement Goals
- Measurement of communication and problem solving skills
- Increased focus on rapidly emerging literacy and numeracy skills in Pre-K
- Measurement of the quality and supportiveness of the early learning environment
Common Measures
IGDIs
- ECI
- EPSI myIGDIs
- Literacy+
- Numeracy
CLASS
Healthy Development
Kansas children and families thrive when they can access comprehensive health and developmental services.
The Kansas Children’s Cabinet funds programs and services that support maternal/child health, developmental monitoring and screening, and the mental health of infants, children, and caregivers.
Strong Families
Kansas children and families are stronger when their basic needs are met.
The Kansas Children’s Cabinet funds home visiting and prevention programs to support linkages with community services. Programs offer opportunities for parents and caregivers to learn and interact. Parent support groups, wellness initiatives, and education services also help reduce the likelihood of child maltreatment.
Early Learning
Kansas children are prepared for success in kindergarten and beyond when their families can access quality care and education.
Fostering high-quality early care environments for all Kansas families, and supporting the early childhood workforce to recruit and retain high-quality professionals.