Our mission is to provide a nurturing and inclusive environment where children with visual impairments and other disabilities are learning alongside sighted peers so that all may be lifelong learners. Our vision is to prepare all students and families to live in an inclusive society that values individual strengths and differences.
Our educational team strives to develop priority life outcomes for students. The overarching goal is to foster social competence, working collaboratively with parents, local schools, transition personnel, and sometimes visually impaired adult mentors. While addressing challenging personal issues, the ultimate aim is to equip students for rewarding lives and careers.
Infants (6 weeks to walking):
In the Infant room, our youngest children are engaged in play that encourages language development and social interaction through responsive caregiving practices. Our caregivers focus on developing routines and experiences for development and learning.
Toddlers (12 months & walking to 3 years):
In the Toddlers room, the focus is developing support in a safe and responsive environment. Caregivers utilize assessment tools and curriculum that guides children through a variety of playful experiences for conceptual learning, literacy, and language development.
Preschool Enrichment (2 ½ years to 6 years):
Our Preschool Enrichment classroom is designed with children with visual impairments and blindness in mind. Students engage in a variety of intentionally designed learning experiences to explore concepts that are usually learned incidentally. A small group of sighted peers learn alongside our students with visual impairments to foster a community of inclusive learning. Literacy and language are developed through the use of the American Printing House for the Blind’s Building on Patterns (BOP) Pre-K curriculum.
Coming Soon: Young Children (3 years to Kindergarten eligibility)
A child care classroom that continues to foster exploration and all-around development for young children.
Children are welcomed at the door by staff and walk to their classroom, where they store belongings, wash hands, and sometimes choose a helper job for the day. They begin with free play, exploring the classroom and interacting with friends before cleaning up for Circle Time. During Circle Time, children greet one another, review the calendar and weather, sing songs, and learn concepts like shapes and colors.
Next, they share a breakfast snack, which supports both nutrition and the development of table manners and social skills. Afterward, children clean up and head to recess, either outdoors or in the gym. Back in the classroom, they participate in Story Time followed by themed activities such as sensory play, cooking, art, or early literacy tasks like writing on a braillewriter or handwriting.
The day ends with more free play and a Goodbye song. Children who stay all day also have lunch, additional active play, Story Time, rest time, and an afternoon snack before joining a mixed-age group for play until pickup.
ECEP Hours
- 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Children may be dropped off for child care between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. Children need to be dropped off by 9:00 a.m. to ensure that they have the opportunity to participate fully in the daily classroom routine. Please communicate in advance if your child will arrive late due to an appointment or will be leaving early. Regular pick up is from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Early dismissal pick up is from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
ECEP Family Handbook
Student Registration Information
- Parents are required to complete all registration materials. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) requires specific registration forms for children enrolled in each of the ECEP’s classrooms. Copies of these forms are maintained in the school. Forms will request information related to:
- Medical Record Medical History CCL 029 & CCL 029A
- Medical History
- Immunization Record
- Child Health Assessment completed by child’s physician
- Authorization for Emergency Care CCL 010
- Permission Form for Child to Go Off Premises CCL 034
- Record of Illness Form
- Most Recent Eye Report from Ophthalmology
- Annual Notice of Student Data Disclosure
- Photo & Social Media Consent
- Release of Information/Information Sharing Consent
- Child Pick Up Authorization Form
- Sunscreen Permission
- Lotion Permission
- Other pertinent forms related to health, such as medication administration, food allergy documentation and medical plans.
- Medical Record Medical History CCL 029 & CCL 029A
Authorized Pickup
The parents/guardians listed on your child’s enrollment forms will have authorization for pick up. If at any time someone other than you or another guardian will be picking up your child, please send a message via brightwheel. Your child’s safety is very important to us.
At the time of enrollment, you will fill out a “Child Pick Up Authorization Form”. On this form you may list those other than yourself/other guardian who is authorized to pick up your child at any time. We will verify the person’s identity via driver’s license or other form of ID. Please make sure that if you need to make changes to this form you do so immediately.
Brightwheel Communication App
At the Early Childhood Enrichment Program (ECEP), we utilize brightwheel, a user-friendly app designed to enhance communication between families and our program. Brightwheel offers a secure and convenient way to stay connected with your child’s classroom experience throughout the day. With brightwheel, you can: ● Receive real-time updates on your child’s activities, routines, and milestones ● View photos and videos that capture your child’s learning, play, and development ● Communicate directly with teachers and staff through secure messaging ● Stay informed about schedules, events, and important announcements Think of brightwheel as a digital window into your child’s day at ECEP—bringing peace of mind and helping you feel more connected to their early learning journey. If you need help setting up brightwheel or have any questions, our staff will be happy to assist you!
A link to the app will be shared upon student acceptance.
Hillary Joy-Sims, TSVI
Director of Early Childhood Enrichment Program
Board Certified Music Therapist (MT-BC)
Preschool Enrichment Teacher