Our School
Kirkwood Early Childhood Center (KECC) is a licensed and fully accredited early education center serving children and families.
The campus is open year round, 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Originally opened in 1991 with 70 children, we were housed in the former Hough Elementary School. In 2002, KECC moved into a new, larger and improved facility next door to Hough.
KECC provides several options and a variety of programs for early childhood education. These programs include a full-day preschool program, half-day preschool, Parents as Teachers, and Early Childhood Special Education programs. In addition, a Summer Adventure program is available for children who have completed kindergarten through 5th grade. KECC offers Adventure Club before- and after-school programs at all five Kirkwood elementary school locations.
The curriculum in our classrooms is developed to allow each child and family to become personally involved in the adventure of learning. This includes cognitive development in math, science, pre-reading, art, and social studies; social/emotional development; language development; music and movement; field sports, water play, and gross motor/gym activities. Educational assessments and developmental checklists are administered every fall and spring based on observations of developmental milestones. Services for students with developmental disabilities or delays are readily available and provided by an outstanding staff of special educators located within our building. This staff also provides outreach services to our community preschools.
Kirkwood Early Childhood Center has received recognition for being a “Positive Behavior Support” award winning school. KECC also offers, on a limited basis, a sliding fee scale for reduced tuition.