Child Care Licensing for Saline, McPherson and Ottawa counties

10/21/2026

Thank you to the Salina Family YMCA for generously offering free items to child care providers! Please check out their flyer for details.

10/01/2026

“Golden Standards: 50 years of Regulatory Excellence” 🌄

Childcare Licensing Coordinator Leigh Ann and Childcare Licensing Specialist Alexys attended the National Association for Regulatory Administration's (NARA) Annual Licensing Seminar from September 14th-16th in Palm Springs California.

NARA is an international non-profit professional association founded in 1976 representing all human care licensing, including adult residential and assisted living, adult day care, child care, and child welfare.

This year's conference theme was "Golden Standards: 50 Years of Regulatory Excellence." The conference celebrated five decades of dedication by regulatory professionals committed to protecting and improving the lives of children, families, and vulnerable populations through effective human care regulation. The sessions gave our team great ideas on how to continue supporting child care professionals and improve the tools they use every day in the field. They are excited to bring what they learned back to better serve providers and the children in their care!
Welcome back Leigh Ann & Alexys!

09/08/2026

🌻 WHY CHOOSE LICENSED CHILD CARE?

Finding someone to care for your child is a BIG decision — and families deserve to feel confident about the care they choose. 💛

Licensed child care providers meet important requirements designed to support the health, safety, and well-being of children — from background checks and safety standards to training and emergency preparedness.

But we know finding the right provider is about more than checking boxes.

It’s about finding someone you trust.
Someone who feels like the right fit for your child.
And sometimes, you just need the opportunity to meet them face-to-face. 🫶🏼

🌻 That’s exactly why we’re bringing local child care providers and families together at the Growing Together Child Care Conference!

📅 Saturday, September 12
📍 Tony’s Pizza Events Center
⏰ 9:00–10:00 AM: Provider Meet & Greet + Family Resource Fair

Come meet local licensed providers, ask questions, learn about available resources, enjoy brunch and family activities, and make connections that could help you find the right care for your family.

Because strong child care starts with strong connections — and we’re Growing Together. 🌻💛

FREE to attend — register your family today!
https://buff.ly/2tcDXkg

06/18/2026

📣 Attention Family Child Care providers!

If you serve or plan to serve infants and toddlers, this one is for you.

Through the Safe Starts for Little Hearts program, you can apply to receive health and safety equipment for your program at no cost to you! Highchairs, Pack and Plays, potty seats, step stools, and more, delivered straight to your door by an Infant-Toddler Specialist.

⏰ The application deadline is June 21, 2026, and supplies are limited, so don't wait!

Apply here: https://kstate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3vZ3Gr5EI3IWi34

05/13/2026

Big shoutout to Saline County Health Department for doing something really special for our childcare providers! 💛

This Saturday from 9:00 AM-11:00 AM at 125 W. Elm, the health department has generously provided FREE drinks for all licensed childcare providers as a thank-you for all you do! ✨

And the best part? This event is open to the public too!

Come out, support, and come see us! We’d love to serve you! 🥤💫

And we’re not done yet! We’ll also be bringing this same event to Minneapolis for Ottawa County childcare providers on May 30th from 10:00 AM-12:00 PM! 💛

05/08/2026

🚀 Happy Child Care Provider Appreciation Day! 🚀

Child care professionals truly help children reach for the stars every day through learning, kindness, encouragement, and care. Thank you for the long days, the endless patience, and the love you give to the children and families you serve.

We appreciate everything you do to help young minds grow! 🌟

Happy Provider Appreciation Day! 🎉
Today, we celebrate the incredible child care providers who make a difference every single day.

💬 Families—help us say THANK YOU!

Drop a comment below, share this message or tag a provider who has made an impact in your life.

Let’s fill this space with appreciation! 💛

05/04/2026

🗣️ Calling All In-Home Providers in Saline & Ellsworth Counties!

We see the incredible care, patience, and dedication you bring to shaping young minds every single day—and we want to celebrate YOU! 💛

In honor of Provider Appreciation Week, we’re offering a small token of our gratitude.

If you’re an In-Home Provider in Saline or Ellsworth County, stop by the SAUW office to pick up your card for a FREE Loaded Tea from Evolve Nutrition. (Show a picture of your valid childcare license to get your Evolve Card!)

📅 Valid: May 4–May 9th, 2026
🕘 Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 9 AM–5 PM
⏸️ Closed for lunch: 12–1 PM
📍 Location: 328 N Ohio
📞 785-827-1312

Questions? Special Accommodations?
Reach out to [email protected]

We appreciate everything you do—thank you for making a difference! 🌟

(If you are a Childcare Center employee, talk to your director to retrieve your card!)

A special gift from the Salina Family YMCA Salina Kansas is available for the first 20 recipients! 👀🎟️🎉

05/01/2026

🚀 Let’s celebrate the child care professionals who are truly out of this world!🌟🚀

Child Care Provider Appreciation Day is May 8th! Their dedication, patience, and hard work shines brighter than the stars, and we truly appreciate all that they do.

Check out our space-themed celebration ideas for simple ways families can show appreciation all week long!

04/21/2026

Provider Appreciation Week is coming up, and this year we are celebrating with a space themed week to recognize our amazing providers for the ⭐ STARS ⭐ they are!

Check out our daily 🌌 cosmic 🌌 ideas and optional ways you can show your provider appreciation and thanks throughout the week.

We encourage you to help spread the word and join us in celebrating the dedication, care, and hard work of our providers who make a 🌎 world 🌎 of difference every day.

04/17/2026

📣 EVENT UPDATE 📣