CCPS tangibly demonstrates its unwavering commitment to early childhood learning
Today marks a momentous day for education in Clark County as the stunning new Clark County Preschool opened its doors to give our youngest learners the chance to grow and thrive in an environment crafted especially for them.
Excitement and laughter saturated every moment from rooms to hallways to learning centers with wide-eyed littles admiring their spectacular new space, and ecstatic teachers and staff anticipating a grand future.
“As superintendent and as a member of this community, I am beaming with pride on what opportunities this new world-class facility will offer our Lil’ Cards,” said Superintendent Dustin Howard. “I’m most excited about how this facility, the Clark County community, and our world class staff will be a showcase to the entirety of the state of Kentucky what it truly means to invest in kids and childhood education.”
Assistant Superintendent Kelly Fithen calls the school a "gamechanger."
"Early childhood education will allow students an academic boost prior to attending kindergarten," Mrs. Fithen said. "By exposing our youngest learners to academic material before grade school, we are not only reducing the gap, but preventing it before it can even start. Early childhood education is a gamechanger for our students, for our families and for our community."
Indeed, the new preschool is a tangible representation of our District’s fundamental commitment to early learning at the highest level.
“My greatest celebration is the recognition of early childhood education as a critical investment in our future,” said Director of Early Learning Jill Blanton. “This project is a testament to the power of proactive, intentional education, and I am proud to be part of a community and district that values and supports our youngest learners.”
It’s a facility overflowing with incredible features (see inset) but none more important than what it represents.
The district’s foundational Portrait of a Clark County Learner unveiled this year establishes the preschool age as the vital beginning of a whole child educational and personal development cycle culminating at graduation.
“This unprecedented investment in early childhood education signifies the commitment we have to breaking down barriers and fully preparing our Lil’ Cards to be Empowered Leaders, Resilient Learners, Effective Communicators, Reflective Innovators, Engaged Citizens, and Committed Collaborators,” said Superintendent Howard. “With this focus on early childhood education, we are truly embracing the Portrait of A Clark County Learner.”
At the heart of the district’s emphasis on early learning is the drive to eliminate achievement gaps before they arise.
“Here in Clark County we have the mindset of preventing learning gaps with our students instead of trying to close them later, which is tougher,” said Chief Operating Officer Brandon Watkins. “It’s kind of like the old medical saying, ‘An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.’ Any dollar spent on early childhood is an investment and we know the returns are going to grow as we graduate more prepared students and better contributors to our society.”
The Preschool moved into the former Hannah McClure Elementary School building on Beckner Street in the fall of 2014 after that school closed.
Building a new preschool in Clark County was batted around in District Facilities Plan meetings in 2012 and again in 2016 until it was finally included in the 2020 plan. Contracts were awarded in December 2022 and ground was broken in February 2023.
“This experience is deeply personal to me,” said Mrs. Blanton, who has spent all 17 of her years with CCPS at the Preschool. “Over these years, I have served on three Local Planning Facilities Committees, each discussing preschool, though it was not a top priority at the time. As the saying goes, ‘third time’s a charm,’ and that proved true for Clark County and Clark County Preschool.”
As one who has been there from approval to reality, Mrs. Blanton considers today a milestone both personally and for the future of our community.
“When the first piece of furniture was unloaded and carried inside, it was an emotional moment—one that held deep significance for me and for the many advocates of our program, our community, our district, and early childhood education,” she said. “How many people get to experience a moment like this? Not many. I feel truly blessed and fortunate to be part of it.”
With its sleek design and innovative built-in learning features, the Preschool is considered a premiere educational facility in Kentucky and beyond with visitors lining up to tour it.
“It is super exciting to be part of this,” Watkins said. “We'll have one of the premier preschool centers in the state of Kentucky.”
While Clark County plans to eventually offer universal preschool at the school built for 450 students, the current enrollment is determined by a criteria-based system (see inset).
In early February, House Bill 460 was filed to require school districts to “provide a full-day preschool education program for eligible three and four-year-olds.”
Meanwhile, in Clark County, preschool education is a core pledge.
“In Clark County, preschool is not an afterthought,” Watkins said. “Our Lil’ Cards have been made a priority as they should be. It is an investment that will pay good returns down the road.”
PRESCHOOL KEY FEATURES
The new preschool building features 23 classrooms distributed across four distinct learning communities, each designed around a well-known Kentucky landmark. We have the Red River Region, the Lakes Region (themed after Cave Run Lake) the Bluegrass Region, and the Daniel Boone National Forest Region. These themed communities provide a dynamic learning environment, offering extended areas for small group activities, station teaching, cooking activities, an obstacle course, and a therapy swing to support physical and developmental growth. Each space is thoughtfully designed to engage children in various hands-on, interactive experiences that align with the educational needs of young learners.
Students and staff will enjoy a family-style dining experience in their classrooms. They will share meals together, fostering stronger connections and enhancing communication between peers and teachers. It’s a great opportunity to build relationships and create a sense of community while enjoying delicious food.
The multi-purpose room serves as an open flexible space designed to accommodate a variety of gross motor activities, promoting physical engagement and movement. Additionally, it functions as a welcoming gathering space for family events and community engagements, supporting various activities planned throughout the year.
The media center features a forest-themed design, creating a serene and inviting atmosphere where students can explore a variety of books. They will have the opportunity to relax and read in cozy nooks, beneath tree-like structures, or at comfortable tables, offering a peaceful escape for reading and learning.
As part of constructing our new preschool, a dedicated storm shelter was included to ensure a safe and secure environment for our youngest learners. This storm shelter provides peace of mind for families and staff, offering a protected space in the event of severe weather, prioritizing the safety of all children in our care.
The two early childhood playgrounds at Clark County Preschool are designed to provide an engaging, hands-on experience that encourages exploration, movement, and creativity. With various climbing structures, slides, interactive play areas, and music elements, these large playgrounds offer endless opportunities for children to learn and grow through play. Accessible to meet the needs of all students, including those with varying abilities, the playgrounds feature a fall-resistant surface to ensure safety. In addition, a spacious grass area is also available for outdoor games and running, and an outdoor classroom provides a versatile learning and physical activity environment. These state-of-the-art playgrounds complement our state-of-the-art building, offering an inclusive and dynamic space for all our students to enjoy and thrive.
Our building houses four resource rooms and a sensory room designed to provide a distraction-free environment for related services. Speech-language, occupational, and physical therapists will have ample space to deliver services tailored to our students' needs. These environments will be enriched by the expertise of our related service providers who support each child’s development. Additionally, our sensory room offers a calming atmosphere with activities such as color-changing bubble tubes, waterfalls, music, interactive boards, swings, surround sound with graphics, a trampoline, and more.
