<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[First Steps Childhood Learning Centers]]></title><description><![CDATA[First Steps Centers]]></description><link>https://www.firststepscenters.org/blog</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Fri, 05 Jun 2026 01:45:10 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.firststepscenters.org/es/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[Atchison JAG Students Visit First Steps’ New Childcare Center]]></title><description><![CDATA[At First Steps Childhood Learning Center, we believe strong communities are built when we invest in the next generation—both the children we serve and the students preparing to enter the workforce. That’s why we were so excited to welcome students from Jobs for America's Graduates (JAG) in Atchison for a behind-the-scenes look at our new childcare center. From Conversation to Connection This visit grew out of a conversation during Women’s History Month, when JAG students interviewed our...]]></description><link>https://www.firststepscenters.org/post/atchison-jag-students-visit-first-steps-new-childcare-center</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69e9057cab5395dde606430f</guid><category><![CDATA[First Steps with Abbey]]></category><category><![CDATA[News]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 22 Apr 2026 17:33:59 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/085ccc_6ac7a026e4f64bb0b87787c2b5439399~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>firststepscenters</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Celebrating the Week of the Young Child at First Steps]]></title><description><![CDATA[At First Steps Childhood Learning Center, we believe childhood should be full of joy, discovery, and meaningful moments of growth. That’s why we love celebrating the Week of the Young Child, led by the National Association for the Education of Young Children—a week dedicated to recognizing the importance of early learning and the incredible impact it has on a child’s future. Throughout the week, our classrooms were filled with hands-on activities designed to spark creativity, build skills,...]]></description><link>https://www.firststepscenters.org/post/celebrating-the-week-of-the-young-child-at-first-steps</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69e9074bab5395dde60647a0</guid><category><![CDATA[Programming]]></category><category><![CDATA[First Steps with Abbey]]></category><category><![CDATA[First Steps on Main]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 17 Apr 2026 05:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/085ccc_944372ce62fb4baf938187deec5f2796~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>firststepscenters</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Highland Community College Students Visits New Center]]></title><description><![CDATA[On April 13, 2026, Early Childhood and Business students from Highland Community College Technical Center stopped by to check out the progress on our new building! During their visit, they got a behind-the-scenes look at: • what it takes to start, sustain, and grow a childcare center • the state regulations that guide how childcare centers operate We loved having them out and sharing a glimpse into this exciting season for First Steps! More information about the new building at...]]></description><link>https://www.firststepscenters.org/post/highland-community-college-students-visits-new-center</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69e90809bbc0f3ff74465a38</guid><category><![CDATA[First Steps with Abbey]]></category><category><![CDATA[News]]></category><category><![CDATA[Partnerships]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 13 Apr 2026 05:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/085ccc_b185f87db1d648219960f74959d7faa0~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>firststepscenters</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Construction nearing completion on First Steps with Abbey]]></title><description><![CDATA[We are praising God for the incredible progress happening this week at First Steps with Abbey! Sheet rock is finished Paint is going on and the rooms are starting to feel bright and full of life Parking lot and road construction are moving right along with this beautiful weather Our playground space is being excavated, graded, and prepared for the laughter and joy that will soon fill it Every step feels like a blessing. Watching this building come together reminds us that this vision has been...]]></description><link>https://www.firststepscenters.org/post/construction-nearing-completion-on-first-steps-with-abbey</link><guid isPermaLink="false">698e010ee46957565bf4cdde</guid><category><![CDATA[First Steps with Abbey]]></category><category><![CDATA[News]]></category><category><![CDATA[Partnerships]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 12 Feb 2026 16:39:02 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/085ccc_3ab12247c2764722bf2b64d585080bff~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_920,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>First Steps Centers</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[New Playground Poured at First Steps with Abbey]]></title><description><![CDATA[Another milestone at First Steps with Abbey! The concrete pad is poured for our new nature-themed indoor playground . Soon this space...]]></description><link>https://www.firststepscenters.org/post/new-playground-poured-at-first-steps-with-abbey</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68c4722e5faff3270f84e0b0</guid><category><![CDATA[First Steps with Abbey]]></category><category><![CDATA[News]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 12 Sep 2025 05:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/085ccc_3230ad71371a4abfb90b2aa251278142~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>First Steps Centers</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Early Childhood Education Students visit the future First Steps with Abbey]]></title><description><![CDATA[Last week we had the honor of welcoming around 40 students from Highland Community College’s technical programs. Both the Early Childhood...]]></description><link>https://www.firststepscenters.org/post/early-childhood-education-students-visit-the-future-first-steps-with-abbey</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68c4738365c4abb322db70b8</guid><category><![CDATA[First Steps with Abbey]]></category><category><![CDATA[Partnerships]]></category><category><![CDATA[News]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 10 Sep 2025 05:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/085ccc_dad6372ffb2b466d8f4c48cdad45db0e~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>First Steps Centers</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[State funded childcare coming to Atchison]]></title><description><![CDATA[By Brian Hagen 06/20/2025 (KAIR)--Ground is set to be broken in Atchison Monday, ceremonially welcoming in a future child care facility...]]></description><link>https://www.firststepscenters.org/post/state-funded-childcare-coming-to-atchison</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68b13c81f8a40ddf7546f4dc</guid><category><![CDATA[First Steps with Abbey]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 29 Aug 2025 05:38:42 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/085ccc_36a2f045c91a40ccb2d8beea51b0936f~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_664,h_414,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>First Steps Centers</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Teacher Spotlight: Miss Jodi]]></title><description><![CDATA[We are so blessed to have Miss Jodi as one of our lead toddler teachers here at First Steps! For the past 3 ½ years, Miss Jodi has poured...]]></description><link>https://www.firststepscenters.org/post/teacher-spotlight-miss-jodi</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68c4741638f238548746f0f5</guid><category><![CDATA[First Steps on Main]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 28 Aug 2025 05:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/085ccc_a0ef983a69474029990b79422954d741~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>First Steps Centers</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Field Trip: Exploring Faith, History and Learning]]></title><description><![CDATA[Today our school-age kiddos had a truly special experience touring the beautiful St. Benedict’s Abbey Church and grounds, guided by the...]]></description><link>https://www.firststepscenters.org/post/field-trip-exploring-faith-history-and-learning</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68ae2e7190fd11b5fc790b63</guid><category><![CDATA[Programming]]></category><category><![CDATA[First Steps with Abbey]]></category><category><![CDATA[First Steps on Main]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 06 Aug 2025 05:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/085ccc_425cbff2a0c54582a983aea14ae21958~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_900,h_704,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>First Steps Centers</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[National Root Beer Float Day Fun]]></title><description><![CDATA[We’re celebrating in the sweetest way! Classic root beer floats with our favorite little people! Smiles, sticky fingers, and lots of...]]></description><link>https://www.firststepscenters.org/post/national-root-beer-float-day-fun</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68ae2ef990fd11b5fc790cdf</guid><category><![CDATA[Programming]]></category><category><![CDATA[First Steps on Main]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 06 Aug 2025 05:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/085ccc_7fd86109cf3f45cf9a2090985284d628~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_600,h_400,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>First Steps Centers</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[First Steps with Abbey Groundbreaking]]></title><description><![CDATA[Breaking Ground with Gratitude alongside St. Benedict's Abbey On a beautiful Monday morning, we officially broke ground on the future of...]]></description><link>https://www.firststepscenters.org/post/first-steps-with-abbey-groundbreaking</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68ae2da829182256bcbf59d8</guid><category><![CDATA[News]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 17 Jun 2025 05:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/085ccc_8b9eb9727ccf488fbce837a3c65c66f9~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_600,h_322,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>First Steps Centers</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Love is the First Step]]></title><description><![CDATA[A New Community Childcare Center St. Theodora Guerin once said: “Love the children first, and then teach them.” The monks’ planned...]]></description><link>https://www.firststepscenters.org/post/love-is-the-first-step</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68b13ba5083118f1daaba193</guid><category><![CDATA[First Steps with Abbey]]></category><category><![CDATA[News]]></category><pubDate>Sat, 01 Mar 2025 06:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/085ccc_48d961d3514d4f90896e0bf9a1812eda~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>First Steps Centers</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Abbey gets $5 million grant to expand local child care capacity]]></title><description><![CDATA[by Jack Figge OSV News ATCHISON (OSV News) — The state of Kansas awarded St. Benedict’s Abbey here a nearly $5 million grant to help fund...]]></description><link>https://www.firststepscenters.org/post/abbey-gets-5-million-grant-to-expand-local-child-care-capacity</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68b13a9ce297ee86457573f4</guid><category><![CDATA[First Steps with Abbey]]></category><category><![CDATA[News]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 10 May 2024 05:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/085ccc_3edf40a7be2244029123440fa1f332cb~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_872,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>First Steps Centers</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>