No Growing Pains Here, Early Childhood Center Expands Into New Space

When Dr. Katie Andreasen began working with the Excelsior Springs Early Childhood Center (ECC) there were only three classrooms. Over the past few years she has helped the center grow to more than seven classes. Enrollment this fall will be the highest it has ever been with around one-hundred and fifty students signed up for the programs offered. The Early Childhood Center offers full-day and half-day options for students as well as housing the local Head Start and Parents as Teachers programs. Dr. Andreasen emphasized, “Enrollment at the Early Childhood Center is open to any child in the Excelsior Springs School District who is age eligible.” In the past the ECC served mainly needs based students but as the program has grown they have been able to serve a wider variety of learners. To assist in the effort of making the programs as accessible as possible, the school district will be providing transportation for all Early Childhood Center students for the first time ever.

The Early Childhood Center is moving into the space which was formerly Westview Elementary. Over the summer, the “wings” of Westview which were poorly insulated, leaky, and deteriorating were demolished leaving the newer, modern portion of Westview to be utilized as the Early Childhood Center. Moving into the new building will allow the ECC to open more classrooms, offer sensory spaces, and the gymnasium will be used as an indoor play space, which is something they’ve never had before. Previously, when weather was poor, students would have to stay in their classrooms during recess. The outdoor playgrounds are getting a makeover to include age appropriate and ADA accessible equipment. The old cafeteria will be used as a multipurpose space for events such as health screenings since students mainly eat meals in their classrooms.

Andreasen said that the ECC offers an education focused on socio-emotional learning which is built around “purposeful play.” This type of education experience “allows students to enter kindergarten without needing to spend so much time on basic problem solving and lets them focus on learning fundamental academic skills,” she said. Dr. Andreasen noted that she hopes to continue to build capacity because of the great need within our community. She pointed out that even with all of the great preschool options we have in our community there are still kids who may be missing out. She reiterated, “We would like to serve as many Excelsior Springs preschoolers as we can. If we have a spot we will take them.”