The Early Education Center is making big waves in our community, thanks in part to its partnership with United Way of Reno County. This fantastic organization is all about giving kids a great start in life with top-notch early education. Their work helps set up our little ones for future success, and we’re excited to share what makes them so special!
Over the next month or two, I’m making it a priority to visit as many of our non-profit funded partner’s at their locations. Today, I had the pleasure of meeting with Val Shober and touring the Early Education Center - Reno County! It was a fun visit as I haven’t been inside of the building for a while and while the faces of the kiddos may have changed, the mission and dedication of Val and her team has not.
If you’re not familiar with the Early Education Center, they are a cooperative childcare center that works in collaboration with USD 308 and RCEC (USD 308 owns the building and RCEC employs the team). They receive funding for their services from multiple entities and grants, including United Way.
They not only provide pre-school programming for 3 and 4 year olds, they also provide in home services for infants and toddlers.
Here’s some fun facts about the Early Ed Center that I learned during my time with Val today and what I think makes them unique and amazing:
The kiddos in their classes are a combination of children with and without special needs. This allows for some pretty amazing friendships and learning moments.
They have Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Speech Therapy all on staff and can serve the kiddos right in the classroom or in a special therapy room. They truly have a child-centered approach!
They have their main location, a location at Emanuel Lutheran, and also a new location at Yoder.
Between all of their locations, they serve 200 or so kids in the pre-school programs and an additional 184 in the infant and toddler program!
There is NO COST for their programs.
You can live anywhere in Reno County to receive services from the EEC. And…..they have a few openings!
Val is an expert grant writer and has been able to make numerous improvements to their location, especially exterior playground improvements, thanks to grants!
One of their biggest benefits is the small classroom size. All of our teachers are licensed teachers through KS dept of Ed and they also have a daycare license.
Val has spent 26 years in this industry - all at the Early Education Center and has been in her role as the director for the last 4 years and has been doing an exceptional job!
There’s so much progress and movement in the childcare industry here in Reno County and it’s thanks to people like Val Shober and her team. They have a heart for children and have a vision of growth and collaboration that’s sure to move Reno County forward like we’ve never seen!
I’m so excited that I have the opportunity to continue working alongside this amazing group through United Way of Reno County!
Follow United Way CEO, Lacey Mills, on her "Who Knew" Facebook page here!