Guiding Principles
Importance of Early Childhood
Research has shown that healthy emotional, social, and intellectual brain development in young children is a critical foundation for later success in school and in life. By investing in our State’s young children and their development, we invest in our future. With a solid early childhood, a child is more likely to grow up to become part of a solid community and contribute to society.
Environmental factors – not just genetics – impact early childhood brain development. When young children experience prolonged stress, their early brain development is jeopardized. However, early brain development thrives when parents, families, and communities nurture young children through stimulating, safe, and stable environments.
School Readiness
National Governors Association Taskforce on School Readiness provides a framework for the KECCS Plan by identifying positive influences on early child development that will improve children’s outcomes as they enter kindergarten. School Readiness is not just about what children know—ABC’s and 123’s. It involves the whole child in the context of family and community.
The Kansas School Readiness Initiative 
states that Kansas children will be ready to succeed in school when:
- Each child has a safe, healthy, nurturing learning environment from birth to school age.
- Kansas has an integrated, comprehensive system of programs for families and children.
- Kansans strongly support programs that ensure school readiness.
The Kansas Vision for School Readiness focuses on supporting children through four goal areas:
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Family: Children live in safe and stable families that support learning.
- Mothers receive adequate prenatal care and are high school graduates.
- Children live in homes free of violence.
- Children live in families that can afford basic necessities.
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Community: Children live in safe and stable communities that support learning, health, and family services.
- Early childhood programs are high quality.
- Early childhood programs are available.
- Early childhood programs are affordable.
- Children live in safe and stable communities.
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School: Children attend schools that support learning.
- Schools provide high quality learning environments.
- Teachers provide high quality classroom learning environments.
- Schools have strong relationships with families and communities.
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Child: Children are prepared to succeed in school.
- Children are physically healthy.
- Children have the social/emotional competencies to succeed in school.
- Children are eager to participate in the learning process.
- Children have an understanding of symbolic development.
- Children have the communication and literacy skills to succeed in school.
- Children have mathematical knowledge to succeed in school.
A Systems Approach
Early childhood development is not just the responsibility of parents. We are all accountable for the development of children in Kansas. Policymakers, early childhood professionals, and community members play a vital role in the process.
Early childhood stakeholders carefully developed the KECCS Plan through a strategic, collaborative planning process to provide a unified, comprehensive framework for early childhood services. The systems approach to early childhood in Kansas brings together stakeholders from child care, health, mental health, education, and family support to limit fragmentation and duplication of services. This convergence of programs from across the State supports the success of the KECCS Plan.
Stakeholders were invited to participate in the strategic planning process and are encouraged to stay involved in the KECCS Plan. New partners are always welcome to become involved. Unlike many theoretical frameworks, the KECCS Plan is a dynamic, working document that requires regular input and participation from partner agencies.
No single agency has ownership of the KECCS Plan. The Early Learning Coordinating Council (ELCC) , a diverse group of leaders in the early childhood community, governs the KECCS Plan. Twice annually, stakeholders from around the State are brought together to share information and assess progress. Organizations have an avenue to report on their contributions to the KECCS Plan through the web-based Tracking Tool Database .