KIECER Process FAQ
Family FAQs for the new processes for the Kansas Institute for Early Childhood Education and Research.
The university recognizes child care for our faculty and staff is a critical service and intends to make every effort to keep the Institute open in the event the Manhattan campus goes to 100% remote instruction, as long as it is safe to do so and with guidance from local and state health authorities.
We will continue to add questions and answers as we receive them. Thank you for being patient during this new process for the Kansas Institute for Early Childhood Education and Research.
Why an Institute?
Read our K-State Today article on the Institute for all the details!
Is the Stone House building closing permanently to children?
The Institute is a merger of and expansion on two programs to create a new entity, not a response to problems with either program. The children’s classrooms at the Stone House building will not reopen. Instructors will teach in classrooms in the Center. We are working with licensing on using the outdoor learning environment at the Stone House.
Why has it taken so long to give families information?
Plans to open have been delayed by continuing concerns about group sizes and providing and the capacity to provide safe care.
Are children who attended CCD or SH guaranteed a spot? Will availability of care reduce with two programs merging into one?
Care will be available to all previously/currently enrolled children. New children and families will enroll as spaces become available.
If enrollment isn’t going to be cut, does this mean bigger class sizes, or will the center hire more staff to maintain smaller classes?
The Center is licensed by KDHE. As a licensed center, group size and child-teacher ratios are set according to the state regulations for care. The State does not require reduced capacity due to COVID19 although we are constantly mindful of group size. Children will return to their original classroom when possible. Children who are ready to transition to a new room will do so.
Does the new center have sufficient staff returning given their time on emergency furlough?
Yes. The majority of our staff from both physical locations are joining the Kansas Institute for Early Childhood Education and Research.
Will my child have the same teacher?
Children will return to their original classroom when possible. Children who are ready to transition to a new room will do so. When possible, we will pair children from Stone House with their original teacher.
How large will the classes be (# of kids, # of teachers)?
The Center is licensed by KDHE. As a licensed center, group size and child-teacher ratios are set according to the state regulations for care for each classroom. KDHE does not require reduced group sizes currently. However, we are always mindful of the number of children in each classroom.
Will a Handbook with some of this information be made available soon?
Yes, a revised Handbook will be available soon representing the merged program.
The Stone House classrooms had a lead teacher with a master's degree in early childhood education. Do the lead teachers at the Center for Child Development have similar credentials?
Both Stone House and the CCD are KDHE licensed and NAEYC accredited facilities. Teachers meet the required credentials. Teachers in classrooms wherein the early childhood education students complete their clinical placements will have a master’s degree in order to supervise and evaluate the university student.
Are there any plans to make evening pick-up more efficient?
We are consulting with the University on solutions to parking at the Center. We ask that you hold your child’s hands as you leave the building until your child is secure in their car seat in your car. Please do not linger in the parking lot nor allow your child to move separately from you.
Why are hours of operation reduced?
Hours are temporarily reduced to 7:30 am to 4:30 pm to accommodate cleaning by staff prior to children’s arrival and after departure. We anticipate returning to the full hours of operation when we are fully staffed.
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