Positive Bright Start seeks community childcare scholarship fund for local families

During the recent Board of Douglas County Commissioners meeting on July 2, 2025, discussions centered on the pressing issue of early childhood education and the financial challenges faced by families in the community. The meeting highlighted the need for a community-wide childcare scholarship fund, a proposal put forth by Positive Bright Start, an early childhood nonprofit based in Lawrence.

The executive director of Positive Bright Start presented alarming statistics regarding the costs of early education. Currently, families are spending an average of $825 per month for a four-year-old's care, with costs escalating to around $1,200 for infants. For single-parent households living at the federal poverty level, nearly half of their monthly budget is consumed by childcare expenses, making it financially burdensome for parents to work while ensuring their children are cared for.

The organization has been operating a scholarship program for 50 years, but a waitlist of at least 30 families indicates a significant demand for assistance. The proposed community-wide scholarship fund aims to alleviate some of these financial pressures, allowing more families to access affordable childcare. The executive director emphasized that the existing administrative framework could efficiently manage a larger fund without additional costs to the community.

In addition to the scholarship discussions, Kevin Kelly from Peaslee Tech addressed the importance of early childhood education in preparing residents for good-paying jobs. He pointed out that many local residents are not equipped to take advantage of the employment opportunities available in Douglas County. Kelly advocated for a program called Peaslee Promise, which ensures that low-income individuals can access training without incurring debt. He also highlighted the need for childcare providers to receive support to offer livable wages, which is crucial for professionalizing the early childhood education field.

The meeting underscored the interconnectedness of childcare, economic stability, and workforce readiness in Douglas County. As the community grapples with these challenges, the proposed scholarship fund and support for childcare providers could play a vital role in enhancing the quality of life for families and fostering a more robust local economy. The discussions set the stage for future initiatives aimed at addressing these critical issues and supporting the community's needs.