Resources
Kansas Core Competencies
The Kansas Core Competencies celebrate and support your vital role in shaping the future of early childhood education. Developed through extensive collaboration with educators, administrators, and experts, this comprehensive framework reflects the latest research, best practices, and the evolving needs of young learners. Covering nine essential domains, from child growth and development to leadership and program administration, and structured across four skill levels, these competencies guide your professional growth, align your practice with standards, and empower you to elevate the quality of care and learning experiences for children and families.
Individualized Professional Development Plan
The Individualized Professional Development Plan (IPDP) is your personalized roadmap for growth as an early childhood professional. By reflecting on your strengths, interests, and areas for development, the IPDP helps you set meaningful goals, document your progress, and expand your knowledge and expertise. Aligned with the Kansas Core Competencies, the IPDP empowers you to take intentional steps toward advancing your skills, strengthening your practice, and making a greater impact in the lives of children and families.
Cape
Cape is your all-in-one resource for advancing your career in early childhood care and education. Search for state approved trainings, manage your training records and facility profiles, and access professional development opportunities. Through Cape, you can register for KCCTO trainings and events as well as connect with tools and resources.
Career Pathway
The Kansas Early Childhood Career Pathway is a statewide tool to support you in strengthening your role in the early childhood care and education workforce. This pathway gives you a clear, accessible roadmap to see where you are in your career, plan where you want to go, and understand the steps to get there.
Higher Education

Explore Kansas’ early childhood degree programs and discover the support available to help you every step of the way. Your experience matters. Your voice matters. And your next step could change lives, starting with your own. Kansas has various higher education options for you, whether you are looking for an associate, bachelor’s, or graduate degree.
Data & Reports
At KCCTO, data drives our work and strengthens the early childhood care and education field across Kansas. Explore reports, research, and workforce insights to understand key needs, measure impact, and inform decisions. Our qualified research and evaluation team conducts comprehensive surveys, needs assessments, and internal and external evaluations to support program improvement, advocacy, and professional growth. Whether accessing statewide workforce reports or requesting tailored data, KCCTO empowers you to use evidence to guide your work and advance the Early Childhood Care and Education profession.
Workforce Development Advisory Group
The Workforce Development Advisory Group (WDAG) was established in 2013 and is a function of the Child Care Workforce Professional Development contract held by Kansas Child Care Training Opportunities (KCCTO). Its goal is to provide ongoing connections with early childhood practitioners who offer early education and care to Kansas children and their families, and its focus is on collaboration to advance and improve the early childhood professional development system in Kansas.