Local childcare workers take part in active shooter training

Active shooter training is becoming increasingly common across the U.S., but Wednesday offered a unique experience in the Wichita area with active shooter training for child care workers. And it was a packed class.

"It's scary, but then you know, we've got to do it," says Kim Stephens who has spent close to three decades watching children at her home.

When she started 26 years ago, she admits she never thought she'd have to take part in training like what she went through Wednesday.

Wednesday, Stephens was one of 60 child care workers getting up to speed on what to do in the event of an active shooter situation.

"It hasn't happened in our industry, but that doesn't mean that it couldn't happen," Stephens says.

Natilee Stephen's family owns several children's academies across the Wichita area. She says although it can be emotional to think about, preparing for the worst is a must.

"I really want to help (childcare workers) to be prepared in those situations, because being prepared could mean life or death," she says.

The organization, ChildCare Aware of America developed the training program and

began planning training sessions in October, several months before the mass shooting at the high school in Parkland, Fla.

"We had an immediate response. We filled up classes within a few weeks," says Kami Cohorst with ChildCare Aware of Kansas.

You can learn more about the training program here: