Early Childhood Development
Description
At our Early Childhood Development Center, we want your child to experience their own joys and accomplishments, just like June. And as a nonprofit, we’re committed to making high-quality early education accessible to all families. Our dedicated educators are excited to work with children living with a spectrum of differing abilities including Autism, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, traumatic brain injuries, and other developmental disabilities.
Our program is privately paid for through the state Child Care Subsidy Program and our enrollment options include full time enrollment, after school care, and summer day camps when Columbia Public Schools summer session is finished.
Here, your child is seen, supported, and set up for success.
Program Goals
Program Highlights
The beauty of our Early Childhood Development Center in Columbia, MO is the unique learning environment it creates for young children of all abilities.
- 9We are a licensed and accredited early care and education center.
- 9We are NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) accredited.
- 9Half our students have a diagnosed disability while the other half are “developing typically.”
- 9Every child is valued, supported, and encouraged to reach their full potential.
- 9Thanks to our low adult to child ratios, every child receives the individualized attention they deserve.
- 9Our “learning by doing” philosophy is rooted in research, ensuring our students grow at their own pace in a nurturing, hands-on setting.
- 9We welcome children from all socio-economic, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds to foster an environment where learning, acceptance, and friendships thrive.
- 9For children with special needs, First Step therapists work within the classroom to provide seamless support and inclusion.
Program Achievements
Our Child Development Center is bustling with activity and growth every day of the school year.
- 9In May of 2024, we proudly celebrated the graduation of seven preschoolers who were fully prepared for kindergarten.
- 9In fact, 100% of parents whose child participated in the Center’s programming reported that their child was ready to enter school.
- 9We updated our playground, making it fully accessible by installing new concrete ramps, new fencing and wider gates for all our students to enjoy.
- 9In 2025, our team continues to cultivate a thriving learning environment as we diligently prepare for our upcoming accreditation survey by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), ensuring we meet the highest standards of early childhood education for every child.
Our Locations
Ready to learn more about our program? We’re here to help you navigate enrollment for your child! Contact our Center Director today to get started.