Child Care Providers

Child Care Aware^® of Eastern Kansas provides a vital link between licensed child care programs and families needing child care. We supply parents with information about choosing high-quality child care programs and referrals to child care providers who match the criteria they supply. Child care providers who list their child care programs with our agency are contacted on a regular basis to update vacancy information, assuring that referral lists are accurate for families.

Child Care Aware^® of Eastern Kansas has…

Classes & Coursework to meet licensing requirements and beyond. We offer classes online and in-person for your convenience. You can also find information about first aid and CPR training, credentials, higher education opportunities, and more.

Electronic Fingerprinting is available at the Child Care Aware® of Eastern Kansas Topeka office. Fingerprinting is available for individuals entering the child care profession or those already in child care who need to renew their fingerprints. Electronic fingerprinting is done at no-cost as a support to the early childhood workforce. Fingerprinting is done by appointment only. Make your fingerprinting appointment today using our convenient online schedule here. Appointments can be made Monday-Friday from 8:30 am-4:15 pm or the first and third Saturday of each month from 10:15 am-12:30 pm. Using a LiveScan machine, digital fingerprinting is quick and easy for most people.  In the event we are unable to complete your fingerprinting electronically, we have a paper and ink option, as well.

Before you arrive for your fingerprinting appointment, you will need to complete a waiver.  You can do the waiver online here.

If you would like additional information about the fingerprinting requirement for early childhood care and education professionals, please visit the  KDHE website. If you have questions or need additional information, please contact us at 785-357-5171 or 877-678-2548 toll-free.

Business Resources to help you connect with families needing child care, provide information surrounding starting a child care business, tips on marketing your child care business, and other information specific to the child care and early education industry.

Curriculum Resources to help with planning activities. Services include the opportunity to participate in a variety of quality improvement programs, access to our lending libraries, consultation/coaching, helpful blog posts, and child development and school readiness information.

Employment Resources for those seeking work in the early education field and for licensed child care programs needing to post employment opportunities.

Shared Services Network Hub is a resource for early childhood care providers. Hubs have the responsibility of managing provider-driven services to a group of child care programs. These entities are often based locally, serving a network of providers in the same community or region. Child Care Aware® of Eastern Kansas provides support for 17 counties in Kansas.

The Sandbox is a weekly E-newsletter specifically for child care providers from Child Care Aware^® of Eastern Kansas. This publication contains current state-wide and agency news for child care providers, helpful articles, class information for the agency's region, and much more.  

Resource Lending Library for Providers...

Visit our lending library in Topeka to check out teacher resource books, children’s books, and activity totes. You can also utilize our die-cut and laminating machines.

The lending library is open during normal business hours. We also offer extended library hours on the first and third Saturdays of each month from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m, by appointment. Visit our Class Calendar for specific dates and times for our extended hours.

Items you will find in our resource lending library include:

• Teacher Resource Books (Topics include everything from behavior guidance, to nutrition, patterns, activities, administration, business and child development, etc.)
• Themed Activity Totes (Categorized by age.)
• Prop Boxes for Dramatic Play
• DVDs & CDs
• Informational Brochures
• Die Cut Machine
• Laminating Machine ($0.50 per linear foot. Width of laminate is approximately 2 feet.)
• Copy Machine ($0.05 per copy.

Topeka’s Lending Library Hours (1100 SW Wanamaker Rd., Suite #201, Topeka, Kansas 66604):

• Lending Library is available Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM- 5:00 PM.
• Weekend Lending Library Hours: first and third Saturday of the month from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm by appointment only. For weekend lending library dates, appointments must be scheduled by noon the Friday before. Please call 785-357-5171 or toll-free at 877-678-2548 to schedule an appointment.