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​​​Quality Childcare for Executive Branch State Employees

​​Finding affordable, trusted childcare can be an overwhelming task for parents. The Team Kentucky Early Learning Center aims to ease the pressure on parents by providing a safe, nurturing place that you can trust with your child's care. Keep reading to learn more about what we offer to the families in our care.​

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Why Choose Us?

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Learn With Us

We work hard to ensure a supportive environment where children feel safe to learn, explore, and reach their fullest potential. Our staff is committed to supporting your child's cognitive, social, and emotional learning.

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Grow With Us

From one year old all the way to starting kindergarten, the Team Kentucky Early Learning Center is there through it all. With staff trained specifically in childhood development, we are proud to support you in every stage.

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Enroll With Us

If you’re interested in taking advantage of this childcare benefit, operated by Community Action Council, you can find more information on pricing, eligibility, and more in this informative enrollment guide.

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Frequently Asked Questions


Community Action Council is a private, nonprofit organization working to improve the quality of life for Kentuckians.​ This organization will be operating the Team Kentucky Early Learning Center.​

Community Action Council began in 1965 with Head Start, a federally funded early childhood program serving children from six weeks to age five, including pregnant women. It has operated Head Start for 61 years and now educates more than 1,600 children annually. Community Action Council is highly rated, with high STARS-rated early learning centers, designation as a National Head Start Association Program of Excellence, and recognition as a Bell Seal for Workplace Mental Health recipient.​

TKELC is an early childhood education center serving Executive Branch employees’ children, ages 1 to 5 years old. TKELC will provide a safe, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate learning environment year-round, beginning Monday, August 31, 2026.​

Community Action Council has designed a two-step process.

All interested Executive Branch State employees will complete a brief eligibility application created by Community Action Council using Formstack​.

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Once Community Action Council receives the information submitted through the digital link (available via the “Apply Now” button), staff will verify your employment and income with the Personnel Cabinet. After verification, you will receive a child enrollment application by email through the Brightwheel early learning center management system. Families are encouraged to complete the application as soon as possible, as enrollment is offered on a first-come, first-served basis.


At this time, eligibility is limited to Executive Branch employees' children ages 1 to 5 years old.

Executive Branch employees must provide their KHRIS ID and annual gross wage on the digital application. Once the provided information is verified by the Personnel Cabinet, TKELC staff will follow up with families to continue through the enrollment process.


Yes. Community Action Council will also host a summer Open House, with the date to be announced. Families are welcome to tour the facility by appointment after the summer Open House and before August 31.​


Beginning August 31, TKELC will operate Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with 15 scheduled closure days for holidays and professional development. TKELC will be open on Good Friday and Election Days. A calendar of operating days/closures will be provided to all families in their admissions packet upon enrollment.​

TKELC uses Creative Curriculum, a research-based, developmentally appropriate curriculum that emphasizes play, exploration, and hands-on learning. Children build foundational skills through activities such as reading and storytelling, music, manipulatives, and guided discovery.​

TKELC provides breakfast, lunch, and a daily snack at no additional cost. Diapers and wipes are also provided at no additional cost to relevant families. A private breastfeeding room is available for families.​​

Yes. All children have at least one hour of outdoor play daily, weather permitting. Indoor gross motor activities are provided during inclement weather.​

TKELC maintains a documented emergency and evacuation plan, including regular drills and an Emergency Preparedness Plan. All families will receive copies of these documents in their Admissions packet upon enrollment. ​

If a child becomes ill, a parent or guardian will be contacted immediately. Children must be up to date on vaccinations unless a religious exemption is submitted. Medication is administered only with written parental consent and includes detailed record-keeping.​

Eligibility for this program is dependent upon your employment within the executive branch. Upon voluntary or involuntary separation of employment within the executive branch, you will have 30 calendar days until childcare is terminated.
 
If you change jobs within the executive branch, your childcare coverage will not be impacted.​

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​​​​If you have more questions regarding the Team Kentucky Early Learning Center, you can inquire at TKELC@commaction.org​.

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