Welcome to the Lucille Cogdill Early Childhood Center website.  Please feel free to browse our site for information about our early childhood programs.

The Lucille Cogdill Early Childhood Center, which was completed in 2000, is home to several programs offered under the direction of Strafford R-VI Public Schools.  Children birth thru kindergarten attend programs in this building.  Each program offers opportunities for children to achieve their highest level of social, emotional, physical and cognitive development. 

The following are part of the Early Childhood program at Strafford Schools.

Strafford Child Development Center - This is a childcare program for children ages 6 weeks thru 4 years.  The programs goal is to provide a safe, healthy, and nurturing environment for children.  All children are involved in activities appropriate for their developmental age.  Children have the opportunity to be involved in a variety of activities such as dramatic play, sensory experiences, art, books and music.  Each classroom is designed to meet the needs of children in that classroom.  This program began in 1996 and is a licensed child care center through the Missouri Department of Health and Senior services. 

Title One Preschool - This preschool program is offered to children who are 4 years old by August 1.  Children attend classes 5 days a week for ½ a day.  Preschool follows a pre-kindergarten curriculum that emphasizes social and academic skills.  Progress of preschool children is closely monitored and parent/teacher conferences are held twice a year.  Students become familiar with school rules and routines while participating in a wide variety of learning activities.  Parent involvement is strongly encouraged.  The preschool has an active Preschool PTA that supports the preschool with field trips and supplemental supplies.

Early childhood Special Education - This program is designed to assist children with social, academic and special needs they may have.  We offer services such as language, speech, behavior and related services with children whom have academic and social concerns. 

Parents as Teachers - The Parents-As-Teachers program is voluntary--and free.  The program helps parents understand more about how their child grows and learns.  The program is available to all families residing within the Strafford R-VI School District, beginning during pregnancy and continuing until the child enters school.  Parents As Teachers provides personal visits, group meetings, a parent resource center and yearly screenings of the child’s skills.

Early Childhood Computer Lab - The computer lab is used by children enrolled in programs in the Early Childhood Center.  The computer lab has 10 computers and programs provided for use by children and families. 

Pace - This program is offered to children who have completed preschool and is designed to prepare the child for the transition into kindergarten.  P.A.C.E. is an acronym for “Preparing All Children Educationally.”  Skills are taught using a constructivist approach to help students recognize the relationships among the various learner outcomes.   Learner outcomes are created to help the students meet the expectations for enrollment into kindergarten.  Skills and concepts are presented to children using a hands-on or project approach. 

Kindergarten - This is a comprehensive program for 5-6 year olds. Skills and concepts in separate subject areas are taught in conjunction with each other to help students recognize the relationships among various subjects.  Subject areas include, but are not limited to Physical Education, Art, Music, Health, Reading/Language, Mathematics, Social Studies, Science, Library media, and Computer Literacy.  Currently, there are 5 kindergarten classes at Strafford R-VI school.