New Addition Provides Needed Space for Early Childhood Center

by Cory Unrein

The Grain Valley School District recently completed an addition to the Early Childhood Center, located at 31604 NE Pink Hill Road. Shannon Jenkins, Associate Director of Grain Valley School’s Early Childhood Center, is excited to have all of the early childhood services under the same roof.

Jenkins states, “Up until this time they have been spread out over three different buildings. We will be able to collaborate with all staff members to better serve the early childhood students throughout our district. We will gain an indoor commons area which will allow us an area for assemblies and classes to do activities together. The addition also allows for growth in the future to potentially expand our services,” Jenkins said.

The Early Childhood Center provides a variety of services for pre -kindergarten students in the district who have a developmental delay. “In the center, we provide services such as occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech/ language therapy, and other services as deemed necessary,” Jenkins said.

Due to the recently completed expansion, the district’s Parents as Teachers program will now be housed in the Early Childhood Center.

According to Jenkins the prekindergarten

classroom is full for both the morning and afternoon sessions, with 15 students enrolled in each session. “For the Early Childhood Special Education classes,

“I currently have 67 students enrolled. This number will grow throughout the year as we receive referrals from Missouri First Steps and as we screen and identify delays in children,” Jenkins said.

Currently, 7 certified teachers, 2 full-time and 1 part-time speech/ language pathologists, 1 full-time occupational therapist, 1 parttime physical therapist, 1 nurse, 1 administrative assistant, 10 paraprofessionals, and Jenkins staff the Early Childhood Center.

“I feel that our staff does an excellent job in outreach to the community by identifying and servicing children ages 3-5 years old. We strive to meet each child where they are at and work with them to meet their individual potential,” Jenkins said.

The Early Childhood Center offers ongoing screenings throughout the school year for placement in their programs. Parents can request a screening by calling the Early Childhood Center at 816-994-4901.

Pictured top to bottom: front entrance of Early Childhood Center, hallway and classroom in recently completed addition to the Center. Photo credit: Grain Valley Schools