Early Education Programs

Early Education General Information

The Independence School District provides Early Education programming for 6 weeks to 5-year-olds at several elementary schools, plus Hanthorn Early Education. The 6 weeks to 2-year-old programs operate from 7:00AM to 5:00PM. The 3- to 5-year-old classrooms follow the same student attendance hours and calendars as K-5 students in the ISD. Transportation is not provided. 

Payment help may also be available from DSS (please contact the DESE Office of Childhood at 573-751-6793 for more information). 

Three- to Five-Year-Old Foundations Sites:

  • Benton - 439 S Leslie Ave - 521-5390
  • Blackburn - 17302 R.D. Mize Rd - 521-5397
  • Cassell Park - 10401 East 31st St - 521-5540
  • Glendale - 2611 Lee's Summit Rd - 521-5512
  • Little Blue - 2020 Quail Dr - 521-5482
  • Luff - 3700 S Delaware - 521-5417
  • Ott - 1525 N Noland Rd - 521-5435
  • Randall - 509 Jennings - 521-5447
  • Santa Fe - 1301 S Windsor - 521-5452
  • Spring Branch - 20404 E Truman Rd - 521-5455
  • Sugar Creek - 1301 S Windsor - 521-5455
  • Sycamore Hills - 15208 E 39 - 521-5467

Head Start 

Head Start and Early Head Start provides full day programming for children. This program follows the school day hours, Monday through Friday, following the Independence School District K-12 calendar. The Head Start program is a free program to families who qualify. Transportation is not provided.

Head Start/Early Head Start Sites:

Hanthorn Head Start - 1511 Kingshighway - 521-5485

Korte Head Start - 2437 S Hardy - 521-5432

Mill Creek Head Start - 2601 N Liberty - 521-5422

Sunshine Center (as operated by Independence School District) Early Head Start - 18400 E. Salisbury Road- 521-5526

Truman Early Head Start - 3301 S Noland Rd - 521-5350

William Southern Head Start - 4300 Phelps - 521-5477

Please contact the Head Start phone line at 816-841-3382 for more information!

Early Childhood Special Education

Early Childhood Special Education provides services for children ages three through age five who qualify for an ISD Individualized Education Program (IEP).

Hanthorn - 1511 South Kings Highway - 521-5485

Sunshine - 18411 E Salisbury Rd - 521-5526

 

Together parents, teachers, staff, and community create an EARLY start to your child's bright future!

Research shows that the first years of a child's life are important; they lay the foundation for what's to come. Independence School District Early Education is proud to offer a comprehensive program that works with the whole family to create the best possible experiences for your child's growth and development.

The fundamental goal of ISD Early Ed is to prepare children for school success by enhancing their social skills and supporting their desire to learn. In striving to achieve this goal, the cognitive, social, emotional, creative and physical development of all children is enhanced through activities that meet each child's developmental needs.

Family involvement plays a big role in all of the early education programs of the Independence School District. Fun and educational activities give parents a chance to enjoy their children while making friends and getting new ideas to try at home.

 

The ISD Early Education Program is still enrolling for the 2021-22 school year. Contact Early Education today to learn more about our programming and services offered at      816-521-5314!

 
Parents as Teachers

Learning begins before birth for families enrolled in our Parents as Teachers program. Parent educators start working with parents-to-be, and continue with the family until the child goes to kindergarten. The Parents as Teachers program includes home visits, screenings and group activities. Parents learn how to make the most of their child’s crucial, early learning years and strengthen their relationship with their child. The Parents as Teachers program is free to families in the Independence School District. The Parents as Teachers program follows the Independence School District K-12 calendar.

Call 521-5485 to enroll!