Kansas Child Care Training Opportunities, Inc. (KCCTO) is excited to announce hard copies of the recently updated Core Competencies for Early Childhood Care and Education Professionals have begun arriving in districts. Each school district will receive three hard copies to share with early childhood staff. 

The Kansas Core Competencies, a product of extensive collaboration and input from experts in the field, including early educators, administrators, and partners, are a testament to professionals' invaluable role in shaping the future of early childhood care and education. These competencies aim to provide a comprehensive framework that reflects the latest research and best practices to meet the evolving professional development needs of early childhood care and education professionals. 

The Kansas Core Competencies encompass a broad range of essential skills across four levels in skill areas crucial for the holistic development of early educators to support children's growth and development in their formative years. There are nine domains in the Kansas Core Competencies:  

• Child growth and development  
• Health, safety and nutrition  
• Learning environments  
• Planning, learning experiences and curriculum  
• Relationships and social and emotional guidance  
• Observation, documentation and assessment  
• Partnerships with families and communities  
• Professionalism and leadership  
• Administration, program planning and development  

The Kansas Core Competencies align with the Kansas Early Learning Standards (KELS) and serve as a partner document for early educators to observe, reflect, and plan what the children in their early care and education settings need to know and be able to do. 

Visit kccto.org/kansas-core-competencies to review the Kansas Core Competencies online and to learn more. Contact Linda Logan, lindalogan@ksu.edu, with questions.