When Incredible Years Preschool, 1312 Patton, hosts an open house later this month, participants will learn more about the new schedule, which offers three classes instead of two.

“In the past, we offered three sessions but then COVID came along,” said Alli Adams, program director and teacher. “Fortunately, things are back to normal and we are excited for this school year to begin.”

The class for younger children, designed for those age 2-and-a-half and older, is being split in two. These sessions meet twice a week and accommodate children that are not yet potty trained.

The third class focuses on kindergarten readiness and meets three times a week.

“We are so glad to be able to serve more families with this new schedule,” Adams said. “It also allows even more individual attention for our younger preschoolers.”

Thirty-two children are enrolled for the next term that begins either Aug. 23 or Aug. 24, depending on which class a child is enrolled in. The session will end May 16.

While 32 is the maximum, Incredible Years maintains a waiting list; parents are strongly encouraged to be part of this list.

Incredible Years preschoolers participate in “a lot of play-based learning,” Adams noted. “While playing with their peers, they learn to share and to ask for things in an appropriate manner.

“On the academic side, we present sessions on reading, colors, shapes and letters. We think it is a well-rounded curriculum that prepares the kiddos for kindergarten.”

McKinley Phillips, director of Sunflower Early Education Center (EEC), gives a lot of credit to Adams for the preschool’s growth.

“Alli became program director a year ago and jumped straight into her new role,” Phillips said. “She never missed a beat. Alli brings a fresh set of eyes to the position, as well as a lot of knowledge about preschool development from her previous jobs.

“She cares about the success of each child and strives every day to ensure they are living up to their fullest potential.”

Incredible Years has been serving the central Kansas community for 14 years. “Since the beginning, teachers and administrators show their passion for preschoolers by creating a learning environment that allows children of all abilities to grow with their peers and prepare for kindergarten,” Phillips noted.

Open house

The Incredible Years open house is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 21. It is a come-and-go event, with refreshments.

All parents of incoming students are invited. But if someone is just interested in learning more about the preschool, they are welcome too.

“This is a good time to tour our facilities and meet our teachers,” Adams said. “All of us are really looking forward to visiting with families and answering their questions. We think they will be impressed with what is in store for the coming school year.”

Adams also noted that new playground equipment should be ready for the children at the beginning of the new term.

In addition to Incredible Years Preschool, the Early Education Center is home to the Applied Behavior Analysis program for children up to age 5 on the autism spectrum and Kansas Early Childhood Development Services for children birth to age 3.