About Our Organization

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About Clay County Child Care Center, Inc

Clay County Child Care Center, Inc. (CCCCC, Inc.) is the parent organization and legal name of Little Learners Childhood Connections’ Head Start programs. Established in 1972 as a nonprofit agency by a group of Clay County volunteers, CCCCC, Inc. was created to provide a safe, nurturing place for children while their parents were at work. For nearly 20 years, the organization operated a daycare out of the Clay Center Presbyterian Church.

In 1991, CCCCC, Inc. was awarded a Head Start grant and opened its first Head Start site in Clay County in April of that year. From that point forward, CCCCC, Inc. became the official parent organization for Head Start and has continued to sponsor Head Start and Early Head Start programs in the region ever since.

The Mission

Enriching the lives we touch.

By providing children and families with the tools they need to thrive, our Head Start programs support children’s growth from birth to age 5 by offering a variety of services, including early learning, health and wellness, and family well-being initiatives.

Head Start Preschool: Serving families with children ages 3 to 5, we prepare children to succeed in school and life through engaging learning experiences tailored to their individual needs and abilities.
Early Head Start: Supporting families with children from birth to age 3, as well as expectant families, our programs foster healthy development and strong family connections during these critical early years.

We are proud to serve families from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, creating an inclusive environment where every child has the opportunity to grow and thrive.

Governance

Where the money goes.

Our program operates under the guidance of an elected Board of Directors, which carries the legal and fiscal responsibility for program oversight, ensuring ongoing improvements and operational excellence. The expertise and diverse backgrounds of our Board members ensure compliance with Head Start Program Performance Standards and the Head Start Act.

Together, these Board members contribute valuable expertise and guidance to ensure our program reaches children and families with the highest needs across our entire service area, delivering high-quality services in all areas.

The Board includes:

Two fiscal experts with extensive experience in banking and county government financial management,
Two education experts—one with a classroom background and another who served as a former Deputy Secretary of the Kansas Department of Children and Families,
A licensed attorney who provides critical review and guidance on matters with potential legal implications, and
Additional members with backgrounds in health care and an HS/EHS Policy Council parent liaison.

Policy Council

Our Policy Council, composed of parents of enrolled children, plays a key role in program governance and compliance with Head Start Program Performance Standards and the Head Start Act. The Council includes one Early Head Start (EHS) representative from each county and one Head Start (HS) representative from each classroom, ensuring representation across the service area.

The Policy Council is responsible for establishing personnel policies and, in partnership with the Board, for setting the overall direction of the program. This collaborative structure empowers parents to have an active voice in program governance, enhancing our commitment to quality and responsiveness in serving children and families.