OUR MISSION

Provide children (birth to 12 years) a safe, caring atmosphere that nurtures their academic, social, emotional, and physical development. ​

OUR GOAL

Children who are ready to learn and succeed when they reach kindergarten and beyond.

OUR CREDENTIALS

The Center is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. This means: 
  • Our programs meet rigorous, research-based standards for quality care and education—beyond standard care licensing.
  • We support whole-child development and promote active learning through play and positive educational experiences.
  • Our caring educators are highly qualified. 
    • All staff are state-licensed, participate in ongoing professional development, and apply best practices in early childhood education.
    • Supportive interactions provide warm, safe learning environments where children are praised for cooperation and other appropriate behaviors.
  • We are committed to continuous improvement. We regularly assess and enhance our programs and services to better support family needs.

OUR BOARD

  • John Staton                                                      
  • ​Dawn McNay         
  • ​Megan Fry                
  • Melanie Schaper
  • J.B. Elliott
  • Lacey O'Brien
  • Leah Gagnon
  • Sara Hanson
  • Janelle Wade
  • ​Susan Bon
  • Shaileen Owens

OUR PARTNERS

​Partnerships are an important part of The Center's mission. Our current partnerships include:
Early Childhood Block Grant
  • Administered by the Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund
  • Supports our lower tuition rates for families with infants and toddlers and free PreK
  • Supports our staff and other early childhood professionals with wage improvements.
  • ​Read more about what we do alongside our regional child care partners and community stakeholders. 
Greenbush Parents as Teachers
Parents As Teachers offers an original partnership that promotes child development through evidence-based home visiting.
SEK Interlocal 637 Early Childhood Special Education Services
Ensuring that all kids are included in programming is a hallmark of The Center.
  •  We provide services to children with disabilities and developmental delays by partnering with SEK Connection.
  • If you have concerns about the development of of your child ages 3-5, call 620-235-3150 and ask for Child Find.
Greenbush Infant Toddler Services serving Southeast Kansas
Ensuring that all kids are included in programming is a hallmark of The Center.
  • ​We provide services to children with disabilities and developmental delays by partnering with Infant Toddler Services serving Southeast Kansas, based out of Greenbush. 
  • If you have concerns about your child's development from birth to their third birthday, contact Infant Toddler Services for a free screening.
Pittsburg Community Schools Unified School District 250
A founding partner, Pittsburg Schools hosted several PreK programs at The Center. Call 620-235-3150 to find out more.
SparkWheel
A Kansas-based effort to promote school success, SparkWheel is a valuable partner and home to the only PreK SparkWheel in Kansas.
Pittsburg State University
PSU is a founding organization of The Center, which is a learning site for many PSU students. An employer of many university students, this relationship supports learning at all levels. Providing part-time care was designed for students and continues to be offered to all families.
Mercy Hospital Pittsburg
Mercy was a founding organization of The Center. The hospital partners with The Center to expand child care at the hospital to support staff and the community. 
City of Pittsburg/The Center Response Advocates
Funded through the Kansas Children’s Cabinet Child Abuse and Neglect funding, these staff members work alongside Pittsburg Police to support families in crisis.
KU Center for Public Policy and Research
The Center's partnership with KU supports kids and families in Crawford, Cherokee, Bourbon, Allen, and Neosho Counties.

GRANTS WE ADMINISTER

  • Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund Early Childhood Block Grant
  • Kansas State Department of Education State Pre-Kindergarten Program (At-Risk Preschool) and Kansas Preschool Program
  • USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program administered by Kansas State Department of Education
  • Kansas Work Study supporting Pittsburg State University Students
  • United Way of Southwest Missouri and Southeast Kansas
  • Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention Program
  • Pritchett Trust
  • Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas

OUR HISTORY

THE  VISION (1992 – 1995)
  • 1992: USD 250 Apple Task Force and idea of The Center formed.
  • 1994: Mt. Carmel (now Mercy Hospital-Pittsburg), Pittsburg State University, and Pittsburg School District (USD 250) received first Pritchett Trust Grant ever awarded.
  • 1995: The Center became a nonprofit, secured additional funding, hired a coordinator, completed a feasibility study, explored sites, signed agreements with 14 agencies, and was chosen as a pilot site for a Family Support Grant.
DOORS OPEN TO FAMILIES (1997)
  • Leased and renovated Lincoln School.
  • Licensed for child care and preschool (142 children) by Kansas Department of Health and Environment.
  • Received Child Care Development Block Grant.
  • First day of services (Aug. 25) and grand opening (Oct. 5).
EXPANSION (1998 - 2007)
  • 1998: Expanded to create Bumblebees and Turtles rooms. Added Migrant Even Start.
  • 2000: Added Smart Start Crawford County and opened Infant Center at Grace United Methodist Church.
  • 2002: Class of 2002! Babies that joined The Center in its inaugural year (1997) graduated to Kindergarten.
  • 2003: Added Child Care Resource and Referral Services for 16 counties. Mt. Carmel transferred ownership of Community Health to CHCSEK, Inc.
  • 2005: Added Smart Start Southeast Kansas (Bourbon and Cherokee counties)
  • 2007: Added a pilot pre-K in Pittsburg, Arma, Girard, and Frontenac.
MOVES AND TRANSFERS (2009 – 2010)
  • ​2009: Raised $2 million to renovate 1600 N. Walnut (ownership transferred to USD 250 and leased back from district) and moved to new location with 200+ volunteers.
  • 2010: Transferred ownership of 1700 N. Locust to City of Pittsburg to create Lincoln Square.
TRUSTED SOUTHEAST KANSAS PARTNER (2012 - Today)
  •  2012-2016: Grants and programs expanded child care provider support in Neosho, Allen, and Labette Counties.
  • 2016-2020: Provided services for over 400 children daily through a staff of 100+ and 10+ partners.
  • 2020-2023: Provided daily services through the COVID-19 Pandemic, keeping doors open daily to keep the community working.
  • 2025: New location opened.
  • Today: Our accredited, research-based programs support whole-child development to help families succeed.