The Taylor Early Childhood Center in Herculaneum will offer free pre-kindergarten education this school year, thanks to a grant from the Missouri state government.
On August 7, the Dunklin R-5 School District announced it had secured the 2024-25 Missouri Quality Pre-Kindergarten Grant from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) through its Office of Childhood. This office, established in 2021, consolidates various early childhood programs to streamline state efforts. The grant funding is part of the $82 million allocated by the Missouri Legislature for pre-kindergarten programs in 2023.
The Taylor Early Childhood Center is the sole recipient of this grant in Jefferson County. The grant covers $125 per child per week for tuition. However, it does not extend to Dunklin Daycare, a facility opened in 2022 for Dunklin district employees’ children.
Charissa Kappler, director of early learning at the center, expressed optimism that the grant, initially approved for one year, might be renewed in future years. “This grant is aimed at increasing preschool enrollment,” Kappler said. “The state is providing this funding to help parents afford quality preschool and ensure that all children start kindergarten prepared.”
Kappler emphasized the benefit of the grant in alleviating financial pressure on families. “We’re excited about the impact this will have on our families,” she noted. “With the rising costs of living, this support will help parents save money while their children receive high-quality preschool education.”
Preschool attendance is seen as crucial for preparing children for kindergarten by familiarizing them with school routines and basic concepts. “Children who attend preschool are generally more ready for kindergarten,” Kappler said. “They are accustomed to school routines and start learning more quickly.”
In addition to the state grant, the Taylor Early Childhood Center received a $100,000 Preschool Start-Up Grant from DESE, funded through the American Rescue Plan. This grant will support the addition of two new classrooms, increasing capacity by 30 students and helping to address a current waitlist of over 100 children.
Kappler noted the need for additional space at the center, which began in 2008 with 33 students and now serves around 175. “We’ve repurposed areas like the cafeteria and teachers’ lounge to create more classroom space,” she said. “We strive to use every inch of our building effectively without compromising quality.”
The center’s average class size is 12 to 14 students, with a teacher and a teacher’s aide. Kappler emphasized the importance of maintaining small class sizes to ensure quality education.
Jefferson County’s designation as a child care desert has helped the center qualify for these grants. In the previous school year, tuition was waived for children qualifying for free and reduced lunch, and eligibility has now expanded to 3- and 4-year-olds.
Kappler expressed enthusiasm about the new opportunities the grant will provide. “This funding will open many doors for our children and their families,” she said.
The center also received $28,000 in materials from Conscious Discipline to support social and emotional learning. Over the years, the Taylor Early Childhood Center has earned several awards, including the Early Childhood Education Program of the Year from the Missouri School Board Association and the Promising Practice Awards from the national Character Education Partnership.