Early Education

Independence School District Early Education: The first years of a child's life are important; they lay the foundation for what's to come. District sponsored Early Education programs work with the whole family to create the best possible experiences for a child's maximum growth and social development. The fundamental goal of the Early Education Program 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 (thinking), social, emotional, creative and physical development of all children is enhanced through activities that meet each child's developmental needs, both inside and outside the classroom.

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

Early Education / Preschool

The Independence School District provides Early Education / Preschool for six weeks to five year old at several elementary schools, plus Sunshine Center operated by ISD and Hanthorn. The centers are open from 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m year round. Payment help may also be available from DSS (please contact your local DSS office at 816-325-6040 for more information). Transportation is not provided.

We’re one of 10 Yale University demonstration sites nationwide for this program called Schools of the 21st Century. We’re so family-friendly that Working Mother magazine ranks us as one of the best places in the country for working parents!

Full Day Sites:

Benton - 429 S Leslie - 521-5392
Blackburn - 17302 R.D. Mize Rd - 521-5395
Fairmount - 123 N Cedar - 521-5405
Glendale - 2611 Lee's Summit Rd - 521-5510
Hanthorn - 1511 Kingshighway - 521-5485
Korte - 2437 S Hardy - 521-5430
Luff - 3700 S Delaware - 521-5415
Mill Creek - 2601 N Liberty - 521-5420
Ott - 1525 N Noland - 521-5435
Procter - 1403 W Linden - 521-5440
Randall - 509 Jennings - 521-5445
Santa Fe - 1301 S Windsor - 521-5450
Spring Branch - 20404 E Truman - 521-5455
Sunshine Center - 18400 E Salisbury Rd - 521-5526
Sycamore - 15208 E 39 - 521-5465
Wm. Southern - 4300 Phelps - 521-5475

Head Start Part Day

Head Start provides a part-day preschool program for children and families. The part-day program is 3 1/2 hours a day, 4 days a week (Monday - Thursday) following the Independence School District K-12 calendar. The part-day program is a free program to families who qualify. Transportation is provided.

Part Day Sites:

Sunshine Center( as operated by Independence School District) - !8400 E. Salisbury Road- 521-5526

Hanthorn - 1511 Kingshighway - 521-5485

Independence School District is in partnerships with the following districts to provide Head Start Services to these districts:

Lee's Summit - 905 NE Blue Stem Dr - 986-2488
Center - 8817 Wornall - 349-3708
Hickman Hills - 9000 Old Santa Fe - 316-7060
Grandview - 2500 Highgrove - 316-5465

Early Childhood Special Education

Early Childhood Special Education provides services for children ages three through age five with special needs.

Hanthorn - 1511 Kingshighway - 521-5485

Early Head Start

Early Head Start provides high quality full-day child care for children through age three. The Early Head Start centers are open from 6:30a.m. to 6:00p.m. year round. This program is free to families who qualify. Transportation is not provided.

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 521-5300 to enroll.