Dear Families,
Since we were unable to have an open house in person this spring, we have created you a "virtual tour" of our program. Our hope is that the information below will help you get to know the Nixa Early Childhood Program better, and we wish answer any questions you may have. For any additional questions, please submit them via this form, and either the Principal, Dr. Lara Wilbur or EC Office Manager, Kelly Tiffin will get back to you with an answer.
If you have not done so - enter your child on the 20/21 interest list HERE.
Next week we will be sending out a survey to all families on the interest list to help in our placement planning.
Tuition-based class placement will start on May 4th via email and will continue until classes are full. If you receive a placement e-mail you will have 72 hours to secure your spot. E-mail communication will come from one of the following email contacts:
Larawilbur@nixaschools.net (Principal)
Kellytiffin@nixaschools.net (Office Manager)
The vision of Nixa Early Childhood is to nurture the whole child as creative, confident, life-long learners with 21st-century skills who explore their world through active discovery. The school communities will collaborate to provide differentiated instruction and learning in safe, social, supportive, and engaging environments.
Meet the Principal, Dr. Lara Wilbur
Dr. Wilbur has been in the field of education since 2008. In the fall of 2014, she became the principal of Nixa Early Childhood. Dr. Wilbur is passionate about providing quality early childhood education to students in the Nixa community. You can reach her at Larawilbur@nixaschools.net
Below is a letter from Dr. Wilbur regarding the curriculum used within the Early Childhood Program.
A letter to our families, from Dr. Lara Wilbur
Check out the video below to learn more about the focus of Nixa Early Childhood
The Early Childhood Program is housed in two different buildings, located on one campus. The original preschool is the Peggy L. Taylor Early Learning Center. We call it the ELC. In 2014 the program expanded, and the Early Childhood Center was built. We call it the ECC.
The ELC houses our tuition-based preschool and the Title I program. Our tuition information and pricing can be found HERE. The payment schedule schedule for 2020/2021 can be found HERE.
Our Title I classes are smaller and provide educational intervention to those students who qualify based on their DIAL scores. Through DIAL testing, student's scores may indicate that they need a little extra help in multiple areas. Due to federal funding, Title I classes are offered free to families who qualify. All classes work towards the same grade card expectations
New to the ELC is a free tuition option for families who meet specific income guidelines. Qualifying students are placed in our tuition-based classrooms, but parents do not pay the tuition. Spaces are filled on a first come first serve basis. The income guidelines are based on Missouri's Free and Reduced lunch program. To see if your child would be eligible, see the document below.
If you believe you would qualify and would like the opportunity to be placed tuition-free, please let us know during the enrollment process.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR FREE AND REDUCED PRICE MEALS
The class day/times for the 2020-2021 school year are changing to align with the Nixa Public Schools late start on Monday mornings. The updated times are below. Parents are required to provide transportation. For families needing wrap-around daycare, see the information regarding Eagle Care at the bottom of the page.
Click below for a sample daily schedule. Students attending part-time will follow a similar schedule. Specialty activities such as motor lab/activities room will only occur 1x per week.
CLICK HERE THE MEET THE ELC TEACHERS AND TEACHER AIDES
Meet the Office Manager, Ms. Kelly
You can contact Ms.Kelly at kellytiffin@nixaschools.net
Meet the School Nurse, Teresa Grigg RN
You can contact Nurse Teresa at teresagrigg@nixaschools.net
The ECC is home to the Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE). The ECSE program provides an individual learning experience for those students with special needs. Students have access to therapies such as speech and language, occupational, physical, and vision therapy. A full evaluation (different than the DIAL) by the Early Childhood Special Education team is required before placement.
Another program at the ECC is the Role Model program. The Role Model Program provides typically developing children an opportunity to interact with same-age peers who are receiving specialized instruction in a developmentally appropriate preschool classroom. Peer model students serve as role models and provide positive peer-interactions; demonstrate play skills, and model appropriate language and behavior. Enrollment is open to all children who are eligible to attend Nixa Public Schools and who will be age three to five. Eligibility is determined through the screening process and is based upon individual classroom needs and not on a first-come, first-serve basis. The Role Model program is offered free to families.
Parents As Teachers (PAT) is the third program housed at ECC. PAT is a free program which offers parent education for families who are expecting a child or have children under the age of 5. Children are born to learn. Parents as teachers can assist parents in being the best first teachers for their children. Parents as Teachers is currently enrolling new families. For more information, please e-mail PAT@nixaschools.net. For more information regarding Parents as Teachers, click here.
The class day/times for the 2020-2021 school year are changing to align with the Nixa Public Schools. ECC classes are 4 days a week. The updated times are below.
Role Model parents are required to provide transportation. For families needing wrap-around daycare, see the information regarding Eagle Care at the bottom of the page.
Click below for a sample daily schedule. Students receiving therapy based on the guidelines stated in their IEP will receive services on an individual schedule.
At this time our mass screening has been postponed until July or August. A screening is not required to be placed in our tuition-based classes. Once we are able to complete screenings we will do so on all students placed in the program, in addition to any families still wishing to have one. The screenings are beneficial in placing students with specific teachers to ensure we best meet the needs of all students.
Title One guidelines do require a DIAL screening on students in order to be placed in the Title One program. We will be placing Title One students in July/August once we complete screenings. If a family accepts a tuition-based spot in May, and then later is selected for the Title One class, they will be able to change programs. Title One is offered free to families.
For the 20-21 school year, there are currently only openings for 3-year-old role models. Eligibility is determined through the screening process and is based upon the individual needs of the classroom and not on a first-come, first-serve basis. Placement for the Role Model program will be completed in July/August after screenings are completed. If a family accepts a tuition-based spot in May, and then later is selected for the Role Model program they will be able to change programs.
Due to Covid-19restrictions, we are unable to offer tours of the school at this time. We do have a collection of videos about our program. CLICK here to view our video gallery.
Nixa Early Childhood is fortunate to have a very active and supportive Parent Teacher Association. You can learn more at https://www.facebook.com/nixaecpta/
