Kansas Office of Early Childhood

Planning Year is Underway

July 2025 – June 2026

In Spring 2025, the Kansas Legislature passed House Bill 2045 with bipartisan support to unify early childhood services in Kansas. The bill creates the Office of Early Childhood and is intended to streamline access to high-quality early childhood care and education, helping families and early childhood professionals easily get the resources and support they need.

The bill amends K.S.A. 38-1901 to move the Kansas Children’s Cabinet to the new office along with a total of 20 other programs from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Kansas State Department of Education, and Kansas Department for Children and Families. Planning began July 1, 2025, with the new office becoming operational by July 1, 2026.

Some key changes from HB 2045

• The legislation redefines the Cabinet Board, amending members’ terms of service and adding two new voting members, beginning July 1, 2025.
• The Director of the Office of Early Childhood (to be appointed by the Governor with legislative approval) will be added to the Cabinet Board as a non-voting advisory member.
• All legislative appointments to the Cabinet Board will be elected lawmakers.
• The legislation also amends certain license fees and training requirements for child care staff, creates a process for facility licensees to apply for a temporary waiver of certain statutory requirements, and authorizes the secretary of KDHE to develop and operate pilot programs to increase child care availability or capacity.