The History of Child Start

Child Start’s roots go back to 1927 and the establishment of the Junior League Nursery operated by the Family Welfare Association at 125 New York Avenue, close to the commercial laundries where many working mothers were employed.

In 1935, the Jr. League Nursery consolidated with another nursery operated by Family Consultation Service. In 1950, the service expanded to provide care for children whose parents could pay the full cost of care. Some of this care was in conjunction with counseling parents who were clients of Family Consultation Service.

In the mid-1950’s, budget problems and concern for the unmet needs for day care in the community resulted in the United Fund appointing a committee (Johnston Committee) to study the situation. The Johnston Committee recommended the establishment of a new agency to oversee the sponsored services. The first board members were appointed, an executive was hired, and eventually the agency was separated from Family Consultation Services. In 1958, the Wichita Child Day Care Association (WCDCA) was incorporated and took over the operation of the day nursery. This association took an active role in promoting interest in good day care on the part of parents, and working with the providers in privately operated centers.

In the 1970’s, with the advent of Title IV and then Title XX funding, WCDCA became a local catalyst for the development of state and federal funding for local services. The Association became more of an “umbrella” agency, giving day care homes and centers a method to qualify for subsidy funding, and encouraging uniform child care standards.

On May 1, 1976, the Association became the local grantee for Head Start. Also in 1976, the Association became a sponsor of family day care homes for the Child Care Food Program.

In 1980, a joint decision by Board and staff changed the name of the organization to Child Care Association of Wichita/Sedgwick County to better reflect the wide range of comprehensive services being offered not only to child care providers but to children and their families in the community.

In 1982, the Association’s child care center at 1157 N. Piatt was closed due to Title XX funding cuts. With this move, CCA was out of the business of directly providing child care.

In 1984, CCA computerized its referral service that helps parents find child care.

In 1991, CCA also became grantee for the new Parent and Child Center, which expanded the Head Start concept to serve children 0-3.

In 1995, CCA was one of only 68 organizations in the U.S. selected to be an Early Head Start grantee. Early Head Start, which serves children 0-3 years, phased out the old Parent and Child Center.

In May, 2006, with the desire to adopt a name that would be more reflective of the services and care provided to the community, the Child Care Association became Child Start.