childcare providers

State officials say providers can expect to receive delayed funds by Friday.

The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education said in a statement on Friday that the federal government had notified state officials that the funds would be paused until "detailed justification" was provided for pending child care payments.

Childcare can be difficult to find and difficult to afford - especially on a teacher’s salary. KBIA’s Rebecca Smith has more on one new program in Moberly that aims to keep teachers in their classrooms.

The Moberly School District recently opened the Little Spartans Clubhouse," an embedded, in-school daycare option for district teachers. Vicky Snodgrass is the director of the Little Spartan Clubhouse and spoke about how this new resource benefits students, teachers – and the community as a whole.

House Bill 269, an identical bill to the one proposed last session, aims to establish a system of childcare tax credits for childcare providers and Missouri families. Plagued by infighting in the past, the bill's sponsor is hoping this time it will reach the governor's desk.

Kip Kendrick, the presiding commissioner of Boone County, spoke about the center's mission to address barriers to employment for public safety employees through providing access to affordable childcare.

The Boone County Commission has approved $2.5 million dollars in funding to construct a childcare center specifically for Boone County first responders and other public safety employees.

Missouri legislative leaders are demanding answers from state education officials about a monthslong backlog in a child care subsidy program.

The backlog, which has left daycare providers on the brink of closure, was originally supposed to be resolved by the end of July.

Thousands of Boone County voters are expected to head to the polls Tuesday to cast ballots in the primary election and make their choices for governor, Congress and many other local races.