The fourth annual NWKS Childcare Provider Conference will be held August 6 & 7 (Thursday and Friday). The conference will be held at the Hilton Garden Inn (221 W 43rd) in Hays, KS.

AS OF FEBRUARY 25, 2026 ALL SLOTS FOR THE AUGUST 6 & 7 CONFERENCE ARE CURRENTLY FULL. PROVIDERS WHO REGISTER AFTER THIS DATE WILL BE PLACED ON THE WAIT LIST. EARLY IN THE SUMMER WE ASK ALL REGISTRANTS TO RE-CONFIRM THAT THEY WANT TO ATTEND. DURING THIS PROCESS WE TYPICALLY HAVE PEOPLE DROP FROM THE REGISTRATION LIST MAKING ROOM FOR PEOPLE ON THE WAIT LIST. IN PREVIOUS YEARS, THE MAJORITY OF PROVIDERS ON THE WAIT LIST WERE EVENTUALLY FULLY REGISTERED.

The conference is open to licensed childcare providers and substitutes in the following counties: Cheyenne, Rawlins, Decatur, Norton, Phillips, Smith, Jewell, Republic, Sherman, Thomas, Sheridan, Graham, Rooks, Osborne, Mitchell, Cloud, Wallace, Logan, Gove, Trego, Ellis, Russell, Lincoln, Ottawa, Ellsworth and Saline Counties.

There is no registration cost for childcare providers. Participants are responsible for their own travel and lodging arrangements. There will be a block of discounted rooms set aside for participants at a later date.

By attending this conference, participants will be able to complete 16 hours of professional development. This includes 4 hours of CPR/First Aid.

The conference offers three sessions over two days:
  • Session 1 (Thursday, August 6 from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm): Training content has not yet been finalized, but at least one class will pertain to infant care.
  • Session 2 (Friday, August 7 from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm): Training content has not yet been finalized, but the topics on this day will be four hours of KDHE Health and Safety trainings.
  • Session 3 (Friday, August 7 from 1:00 to 5:00 pm): This session will provide certification for CPR and First Aid.

A complete description of all traings will be available later in 2026.

Participants are not required to attend all three sessions. They may pick and choose the sessions that best suit their needs. Participants must be registered with Cape before the conference as some training certificates will only be available through Cape. Please contact Dana Jo Stanton at 785-874-5150 if you need assistance registering through Cape.

There are 160 slots available for this conference. Providers are encouraged to register as soon as possible to secure their slot. You may cancel their registration at a later date if necessary.

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* 1. Please enter your first and last name. This should be the same name that is listed on your KDHE documentation. This is the name that will be printed on your certificates.

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* 3. Please enter your phone number.

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* 4. Please enter your mailing address.

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* 5. Please enter your county of residence.

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* 6. Please enter the name of the childcare facility where you work. If you are are a childcare substitute not officially employed with a chidcare facility, please enter "substitute".

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* 7. Do you work in a childcare center or in a family childcare home? (Please choose one)

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* 8. Do you plan to retire from the childcare field in the next two years?

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* 9. Do you plan to attend Session 1? (Thursday, August 6 from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm)

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* 10. Do you plan to attend Session 2? (Friday, August 7 from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm)

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* 11. Do you plan to attend Session 3/CPR & First Aid? (Friday, August 7 from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm) Providers from Ellis County will travel across town to Ellis County EMS for their CPR/First Aid training. All other participants will stay at the Hilton Garden Inn for their CPR/First Aid training.

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* 12. We will provide free fringerprint services at the conference. Will you access fingerprint services while at the conference?

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* 13. We will provide free fire extinguisher service at the conference. Will you access this service while at the conference?

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* 14. Will you need a private space for breast pumping needs?

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* 15. Will you join us for breakfast on Thursday, August 6? There is no charge for meals.

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* 16. Will you join us for lunch on Thursday, August 6? There is no charge for meals.

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* 17. Will you join us for breakfast on Friday, August 7? There is no charge for meals.

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* 18. Will you join us for lunch on Friday, August 7? There is no charge for meals. The lunch on Friday is a boxed lunch.

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* 19. Would you like to contribute a door prize to be given away at the conference? If so, we will contact you.

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* 20. Do you have any comments, concerns or suggestions for the conference?

Once you hit "Done" below you will be registered. All registrants will receive a reminder email a month and a week before the confrence. If you do not have email, you will receive a phone call. If you have questions about registration (or the conference), please contact Dana Jo Stanton at 785-874-5150 or danajstanton@nwkeici.org.

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