Village Church Preschool Celebrates 50 Years of Growth, Community, and Innovation

Village Church Preschool at Mission Campus was founded 50 years ago this year by Rev. Bill Foster and Jane Wilson. Originally a small early childhood program for church members, starting with only 26 children, it has since expanded into the larger community—today, only about 20% of enrolled students are the children of members. The Preschool has used the HighScope preschool curriculum to educate generations of children ever since the program opened. “It’s amazing that we’ve used the same curriculum for 50 years,” says the current director, Sarah McKee, who has been with the preschool for 13 years. HighScope has evolved over the years, but its core values—active, hands-on learning, and shared experiences between adults and children—remain unchanged.

Though the preschool is housed within Village Presbyterian Church, it operates as an independent entity. The program’s expenses are covered solely by tuition, though the church offers rent-free space and covers utilities, which Sarah calls “a huge blessing.” Today, the preschool can accommodate up to 112 children, although post-COVID enrollment has hovered around 74—a figure Sarah attributes to both the cost of housing in the area and competition from Shawnee Mission School District’s pre-K program.

Accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) since 1999, the preschool continues to maintain high standards, undergoing reaccreditation every five years. This commitment to quality early childhood education has been a cornerstone of the preschool’s reputation, a reputation due in large part to dedicated staff and teachers. Thirteen of the 15 current staff members are former preschool parents. Many, like Sarah, “never left” after their children went on to kindergarten.

However, the COVID-19 pandemic brought significant changes. Some long-term teachers retired due to health concerns, while others sought new opportunities. Sarah, now the longest-tenured full-time employee, notes, “COVID wiped us out” in terms of staff retention: “We are so fortunate that Debbie Smith continues to teach art for us; she has 33 years with the preschool in some capacity or another.” The preschool has adapted and thrived with new procedures in place to ensure a calmer, more organized environment for families and children. For example, staggered start and dismissal times allow for more personal interactions between teachers and parents.

One of the most pressing concerns for today’s families is safety. The church has invested heavily in security upgrades. New security doors were installed in March 2020, and plans are underway to further secure the building by adding doors on the second and third floors. Additionally, the preschool uses Procare Connect, a communication app that allows for electronic check-ins and check-outs, further enhancing security while streamlining communication with parents.

As Village Church Preschool looks to the future, plans for celebrating its 50th anniversary include hosting an open house for families during the annual Art & Hors d’oeuvres event from 5-7 p.m. on April 5. Not only will preschoolers’ delightful artwork be on display during the event (pictured above), it will be a fantastic time to learn more about what the preschool offers and see the classrooms if you’ve been considering enrolling your child. The preschool also has plans to raise funds for a new playground to replace the current one, which is nearly 20 years old.

Despite the many changes over the years, Sarah remains optimistic about the preschool’s future and hopes it will continue to serve the community for another 50 years and bring young families into both the preschool and the broader church community. For Sarah, working with three-, four-, and five-year- olds remains a joy: “No day is ever the same. It’s always an adventure!” Learn more about Village Preschool at Mission Campus, including how to enroll your child.