Early Childhood Learning Center

Step 1: Call the ECLC office at (417)328-5615 to schedule your appointment to bring your child in for their screening and to fill out registration paperwork. Screenings are not a pass/fail form of testing for enrollment. They are used for data purposes to determine where your child sits developmentally, to help us place them in the best classroom.  

Screenings will be held on March 26, April 2, April 9, April 16, and April 23rd.

Step 2: Attend your scheduled screening/paperwork appointment.

• Please bring your child with you, as they will be screened at this appointment. 
• While your child is being screened, you will fill out the registration paperwork needed to complete enrollment and we will make copies of your supporting documents.
  • Documents you need to bring with you:
    • Birth Certificate
    • Immunization record
    • Proof of residency (utility bill, rental agreement, mortgage receipt, paid property tax receipt).
    • Any legal custody documents

Step 3: If you are unable to make it to a screening during the scheduled dates, that does not hinder your child’s ability to register for preschool. 

• You must still go through the registration process of filling out an application and bringing in your supporting documentation. 
• Registration opens up on March 26th, 2026. 
• Applications are available at the Early Childhood Learning Center main office at 1400 E. Forest Street.

*Completed registration packet AND all supporting documentation is required to be turned in to the office to guarantee classroom placement for your child.

When does enrollment open?
March 26^th, 2026. Screenings will be held on March 26, April 2, April 9, April 16, and April 23. Please call the ECLC office at 417-328-5615 for schedule your student’s screening.

Does my child have to be screened to attend ECLC?
No. However, the Early Childhood Learning Center still requires you to come to the office to complete the registration process by submitting an application and providing supporting documentation.

What do I need to bring to the registration and screening?
Bring your child to be screened. The documents you need to bring with you is a birth certificate, immunization record, proof of residency (utility bill, rental agreement, mortgage receipt, paid property tax receipt), and any legal custody documents.

The ECLC program is tuition based. Monthly tuition cost is $140 for months Sept-May.

• Payments are due the 1st of each month. 
• No adjustments will be made due to illness, weather, closures, or other factors beyond the school district’s control
• Families who qualify for free or reduced lunches, do not have to pay tuition. The application for free or reduced lunches will become available in August when the offices re-open from summer break. Applications must be filled out yearly even if you qualified the previous year for a sibling.

General Guidelines for Free Tuition Eligibility
(Subject to change based on 2025-2026 criteria)

• Must meet Free and Reduced Meal qualifications or receive Food Stamps/SNAP benefits.
• Eligibility guidelines for 2024-2025 are listed below. Those for 2025-2026 will be released in July. 

• Morning Sessions:
  • 7:50am - 11:10am (Breakfast offered from 7:15am - 7:45am)
• Afternoon Sessions:
  • 11:50am - 3:10pm
• All Day Session:
  • 7:50am - 3:10pm (Breakfast offered from 7:15am - 7:45am)

Important FYIs:

• We can take requests for a preferred session, but requests can not be guaranteed. Students are placed into classrooms based on lots of factors including but not limited to gender, birthdate, and screening results. 
• We do offer bus transportation to and from each session.
• All classes are taught by certified teachers.
• We strive for 95% attendance as a school district and understand that students are more successful when they are at school.
• The Early Childhood Learning Center follows the same calendar as the Bolivar R-1 School District.