TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly on Wednesday celebrated the grand opening of the Kansas Office of Early Childhood (KOEC). Governor Kelly was joined by KOEC Director Christi Smith, legislators, child care providers, advocates, and Kansas children and families to officially cut the ribbon on the office, which opened Wednesday.
“For years, we have been striving to streamline access to early childhood services for Kansas businesses, child care providers, and families,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “The opening of the Kansas Office of Early Childhood today is a monumental step forward for our state and represents a fulfilled promise to Kansas children and families. I’m pleased to see the office finally open its doors and begin serving Kansans.”
Governor Kelly also signed Executive Order 26-05 at the grand opening, which establishes the Kansas Early Childhood Advisory Council. The new council will streamline existing advisory functions and provide an avenue for stakeholders to provide input on the work of KOEC.
Nearly 20 existing state programs serving young children and families are now consolidated in KOEC, including child care licensing; child care subsidy and home visitation programs; and the Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund. The Office is responsible for Kansas’ early childhood system, serving communities and stakeholders by developing a statewide strategy for expanding access to early childhood education and care.
“The Kansas Office of Early Childhood is ready to serve families, businesses, child care providers, and those seeking programs and services that will help our youngest Kansans thrive,” said Director Christi Smith, Kansas Office of Early Childhood. “It is an honor to lead the office and while today is a significant milestone, it is not the finish line. Now begins the hard work of building the stronger system that Kansans deserve.”
KOEC was established by House Bill 2045, a piece of bipartisan legislation that Governor Kelly signed into law on April 24, 2025. House Bill 2045 enabled consolidation of Kansas’ early childhood services and programs into KOEC and is the most consequential early childhood education and care legislation enacted in Kansas in the last 15 years.
The office underwent a transition period where pre-existing state employees working on early childhood issues were retained in their roles and moved into KOEC. These roles are funded through existing state resources, as KOEC’s functions already existed but were spread across state government.
A copy of Executive Order 26-05 is available here.