Welcome to Prairie Baptist Church

The Prairie Early Childhood Center

OUR MISSION
The Prairie Early Childhood Center (PECC) provides a positive experience in a Christian setting and believes that all children "are a gift from God" (Psalm 127:3). Our goal is to offer developmentally appropriate curriculum that helps children grow socially, emotionally, cognitively, physically, and spiritually.

Our Programs
Calendar
Enrollment
Fees
Staff
Frequently Asked Questions
Contact Information
Forms

OUR PROGRAMS [ back to top ]

2-day Preschool (for children who turn 3 by September 1)

Parents Day Out
PECC has developmentally appropriate curricula for Parents Day Out children, preschoolers, and children enrolled in our prekindergarten programs.

Monday through Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
For children sixteen months (must be walking) through five years old.

Preschool and Prekindergarten
2-day Preschool (for children who turn 3 by September 1)
3-day Prekindergarten (for children who turn 4 by September 1)
4-session Prekindergarten (for children who turn 5 by September 1)

The daily curriculum in PDO I classes (16 months through 2 1/2 years) and PDO II classes (2 1/2 years through 3 years) offers art, music/movement, story time, and focuses on developing language, social skills, and the building and strengthening of fine and gross motor skills. Our PDO III classes (4 years through 5 years) enhance and reinforce learning that has occurred in Preschool and/or Prekindergarten. Activities include music, movement, art, math, social and language development, and fine and gross motor skill development.

2-day Preschool (for children who have turned 3 years old by September 1)
Tuesday/Thursday a.m. session: 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Tuesday/Thursday p.m. session: noon to 2:30 p.m.

3-day Prekindergarten (for children who have turned 4 years old by September 1)
Monday/Wednesday/Friday a.m. session: 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Monday/Wednesday/Friday p.m. session: noon to 2:30 p.m.

4-session Prekindergarten (for children who have turned 5 by September 1)
Monday/Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Wednesday: 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Since area school districts' kindergarten classroom curriculum can vary, PECC has taken the common curriculum and incorporated them in our lesson plans and activities. Our teachers are consistent with including and implementing the following into their classroom curriculum:

Foster kindergarten readiness (especially in our Prekindergarten classes)
Language development
Pre reading and reading skills (for those who are beginning to read)
Fine and gross motor skill development
Build self-confidence
Social skill development
Music and movement
Art
Science
Math
Writing
Discovery centers
Circle time (weather, flag, Bible verse — which reinforces values, calendar, introduction of letter, theme, etc.)
Cooking
Story time
Theme days (Beach Day, Pajama Day, Western Day, Chiefs Day, etc.)
Library once a week
Service projects to help those in need (preparing meals for homeless families, cards, food drive, etc.)
Speech and hearing screening through Children's Therapy Group
Mad Science Program for our Prekindergarten children

CALENDAR [ back to top ]

August

12 8:30 – noon Parents may turn in forms/have them notarized

13 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Parents may turn in forms/have them notarized

6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Parents Day Out Open House

6:30 – 7:15 p.m. 3-day AM Prekindergarten Open House

4-Session Prekindergarten Open House

7:15 – 8:00 p.m. 3-day PM Prekindergarten Open House

HEALTH FORM, NOTARY FORM, AND PHOTO &

ALLERGY FORMS SHOULD BE TURNED IN ON OR

BEFORE PECC OPEN HOUSES

14 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Parents may turn in forms/have them notarized

6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Parents Day Out Open House

6:30 – 7:15 p.m. 2-day AM Preschool Open House

7:15 – 8:00 p.m. 2-day PM Preschool Open House

18 First day of Parents Day Out and Prekindergarten classes

19 First day of 2-day Preschool classes

September

1 Labor Day, PECC is closed

24 Picture Day for Parents Day Out & Prekindergarten classes

25 Picture Day for Parents Day Out and Preschool classes

October

16 JoHo Storyteller

PDO I & PDO II from 10:30 to 10:45 a.m. in

Music Room

PDO III & Preschool/PreK from 10:45 to 11:30 a.m.

17 Hearing & Speech Screening for PreK

22 Mad Science Program for PreK and PDO III in Big Room 10:00 a.m.

30 Halloween Parties for 2-day Preschool and Parents Day Out

31 Halloween Parties for Prekindergarten and Parents Day Out

November

26-28 PECC is closed for Thanksgiving vacation. Happy Thanksgiving!

December

22 Christmas Break begins. PECC is closed. Have a safe and blessed holiday with your family and friends!

January

1, 2 PECC is closed. Happy New Year!

5 Prekindergarten and Parents Day Out sessions resume

6 2-day Preschool sessions resume

Prairie Early Childhood Center brings in several creative 
educational presentations during the school year. These presentations 
are paid for by an activity fee of $25.00 per family. Some of the presentations 
that come to our center include:

JoHo Storyteller for all PECC children
Ernie Miller Nature Center for our 2-day Preschool children
Picture Days for all PECC children
Picadilly Puppets for all PECC children
Jim Cosgrove for all PECC children
Funky Mama
Frosty
Happy Bear for Preschool and Prekindergarten children

Events for PECC families:

Family Fun Nights

Parent Events:

Parent/Teacher Conferences for Preschool and Prekindergarten children
Parent workdays
Kindergarten readiness presentation
Happy Bear presentation
Back to School nights
Parent education seminars
Dad's Night for 3-day Prekindergarten classes
Mother's Tea for Prekindergarten classes

ENROLLMENT [ back to top ]

Procedure for enrollment of a child:
PECC does not put children on a waiting list unless the parent comes to the center for a tour, fills out an enrollment form and pays the nonrefundable registration fee. The director will let the parent know availability status or give the parent a possible date for an opening.

For a child to be enrolled and attend PECC, the parent is responsible for:

Filling out the enrollment form and attaching a $35.00 nonrefundable registration fee.
Having the child's physician fill out the Kansas Department of Health and Environment Health Form. This form must accompany the child on his/her first day at the center.
The PECC Notary Release Form and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment Notary Release Form must accompany the child on his/her first day at the center. The director is a notary and will be happy to notarize the forms. These forms are needed so the center can seek emergency medical care for a child.
A Photo Release/Allergy Form must accompany the child on his/her first day at the center. We take a lot of pictures of the children. Some of them are used for center activities or projects, some will be displayed at the center, but most will be sent home to the parents. Sometimes the children are videotaped for parents to view at pick up time so they can observe their child participating in activities at PECC. A child's picture will not appear on our webpage or in a newspaper article without a parent's permission. The allergy section gives the Center permission to post his/her allergies in the classroom.

Fall Enrollment

Begins mid February for children currently enrolled in PECC programs.
Begins normally the last week in February for the community.

Summer Enrollment

Begins March 21 for children currently enrolled in PECC programs.
Begins March 28 for the community.

Enrollment Forms Here:
PDO, Preschool, and Prekindergarten Health Forms.

FEES [ back to top ]

Tuition
Tuition is paid on a monthly basis. A monthly statement is sent home at the beginning of the month. Parents may request a tuition receipt by notifying the director.

Cost of PECC programs for the 2008-2009 school year:

Parents Day Out: $19.00 for full day (9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.) for non-church members
$18.00 per day for church members
$13.00 for half day (9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.)

PDO I: No half-day slots available. Parents may pick up their child early but must pay for a full day
PDO II: Four half day a.m. slots available per day

2-Day Preschool: $90.00 per month for non-church members
$88.00 per month for church members

3-Day Prekindergarten: $105.00 per month for non-church members
$103.00 per month for church members

4-Session Prekindergarten: $140.00 per month for non-church members
$138.00 per month for church members

Extended Day for children participating in Preschool/Prekindergarten:
$10.00 per day

Registration Fee:
A $35.00 nonrefundable registration fee must be paid at the time of enrollment.

Activity Fee:
Each PECC family pays a $25.00 activity fee per year. This fee enables the center to bring in several educational presentations during the school year. Because of safety issues, liability and limited time, children enrolled at PECC do not take field trips, but they still receive enjoyment, learn, and can be creative through presentations coming into the center. The activity fee is paid at the beginning of each school year in August/September.

STAFF      [ back to top ]

Prairie Early Childhood Center has an exceptional teaching staff. The program is taught by experienced teachers who offer a safe learning environment for your child. A majority of the staff has degrees in elementary education and has changed their focus to early childhood. Two of our staff have received master degrees and one staff member is currently working toward a bachelor degree in early childhood education. Prairie Early Childhood Center is very blessed to have low staff turnover and a nurturing, loving, creative, and supportive staff.

Karen Fenton, Director
Karen has twenty-four years of experience in early childhood education: ten years as director and fourteen years with the Shawnee Mission School District Special Education Department. Karen is a hands-on director and spends most days being with the children and staff. Karen enjoys children's enthusiasm and the uniqueness of each child. "Ms. Karen" considers the safety and needs of the children her top priority. Karen and her husband, "Mr. Ron," are members of Prairie Baptist Church and the parents of two PECC alumni. Karen is a member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children and the Greater Kansas City Preschool Association.

Parents Day Out Staff:
PDO I:  Doreen Mooney, Nancy Davis, Michelle Stephenson
PDO II:  Nancy Falk, Annye Howell, Joyce Olivera
PDO III: Lori Blalock Greer, Carol Dietrich, Janet Jennings, Rebecca Legill
2-Day Preschool:  Becky Humphrey, Annye Howell
3-Day Prekindergarten:  Becky Humphrey, Jennifer O'Neill
4-Session Prekindergarten:  Janet Jennings                                                                         Floating Teacher Assistant: Sandy Bolles

Parent Testimonials (from Parent Evaluations November 2004)

"Teachers/Director always have/has a personal comment about my child. It is nice to know such an effort is made to know each child as an individual."

"We've had a wonderful experience with both of our children going through your program. We appreciate the consistency of the staff."

"Love the teachers! I like the I.D. tags for teachers."

"Karen, I think you and your staff are the best! Thank you for everything you do!"

"I feel PECC provides a safe, nurturing and learning environment for my daughter. I feel I am very informed by PECC regarding the school's programming and goals."

"The teachers have taken the extra step for my clingy/needy child to feel comfortable! I truly appreciate it."

"We are extremely pleased with PECC. The staff members are all very friendly and professional. My child really enjoys school."

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS [ back to top ]

Does my child need to be toilet trained?
Children are not required to be toilet trained to attend PDO I or PDO II. Children must be toilet trained to attend PDO III, Preschool or Prekindergarten. The PDO staff will work with the child and parents to help transition the child to successfully toilet train at PECC.
Do you have a summer session?
We offer a seven week summer session that meets on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. This seven week session is for children sixteen months through five years of age.
What is your illness policy?
We do have an illness policy that is found in our Parent Handbook. Parents should keep children home if they have not been fever free, diarrhea free, or vomiting free for twenty-four hours prior to attending PECC (free of symptoms means that the child has not been given medications, such as Motrin, to mask the symptoms). Children who have a constant runny nose or cough should be kept home. Sometimes a child will want to come to PECC because he/she does not want to miss a special event or friends, however, most children will be cranky, lethargic, whiny, and/or aggressive and do not enjoy their day at school. Most apparent is that unwanted germs will expose other children and staff. If you suspect your child is contagious, KEEP THEM HOME where he/she will be more comfortable and not spread germs. Parents will be notified should their child become ill at PECC and will be expected to pick the ill child up promptly.
Do you have a registration fee?
PECC has a nonrefundable registration fee of $35.00 per child.
Does my child need to bring a lunch for PDO?
Yes. PECC does not provide lunches because the children are here for only a five and a half hour day.
Can I put my child on your waiting list?
A child may be put on a waiting list after the parent comes in for a tour, asks questions regarding the program, meet the teachers, and fill-out an enrollment form and pays the registration fee. The director does not put a child's name on a waiting list without a parent visiting PECC.
What are your hours?
We are in session Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
How is tuition paid?
Tuition is to be paid at the beginning of the month. Parents should speak to the director and make arrangements with her if they need to make payments or pay tuition later in the month. Parents may pay with cash or by writing a check made payable to PECC. At this time, the center does not have the capability for tuition to be paid by credit card or through automated billing. Parents needing a receipt for payment should notify the director.
Do you offer make up days for Parents Day Out?
Children may receive one make up day per month providing the parent notifies the center by 8:00 a.m. and requests a make up day. PECC staff will make every effort to provide a make up providing there is availability. The staff will attempt to give the parents ample notice, however, PECC will contact parents before 9:30 a.m. if they have a last minute cancellation due to illness or emergency. PECC does not offer make ups for cancellations due to weather. Parents are responsible for paying for days when PDO is canceled because of weather conditions.
Do you offer make up days for Preschool or Prekindergarten sessions?
PECC does not offer make up days for Preschool or Prekindergarten and parents are expected to pay for days when their child is absent.
What is your policy for school cancellation due to weather?
PECC is closed when the Shawnee Mission School District closes due to snow or icy weather conditions. Parents should listen to their local news station or radio station to learn if Shawnee Mission Schools are closed.
Are you licensed?
PECC is licensed by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and has annual inspections. PECC follows licensing requirements from KDHE and follows the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) criteria for accreditation and their code of ethics. PECC is a member of the Midwest Whole Child Development Group and the Greater Kansas City Christian School Association.
How long has your center existed?
PECC celebrated its 30th year of operation in April 2004.

CONTACT INFORMATION      [ back to top ]
Please contact us with any questions or concerns you may have. The staff is very accessible and willing to answer questions, problem solve, or give reassurance.

PECC's phone number:  913-236-7067
Fax number:  913-722-6199
Karen Fenton's e-mail:  fenton@prairiebaptist.org

Forms (in PDF format)      [ back to top ]