To the editor:

Thank you for your excellent coverage of the Just Kidding early learning center in Eudora.  The article highlights the impact of Child Care Aware of Kansas and its Kansas Quality Rating Improvement System (KQRIS) in helping the center move from one-star (lowest) to almost five-star, the highest-quality rating.

Douglas County is one of only two counties in the state which still supports KQRIS, both through private funding. The rest of the state is being left behind due to a loss in state support. As the Journal-World article points out, investment in high-quality early learning pays significant long-term benefits in terms of children being prepared to succeed in school.  We are fortunate that our local United Way understands the value of quality early learning and continues to support KQRIS and the young children and families in our community.