The Northland Early Education Center began operations in
1981. A group of concerned parents of children with physical and
mental disabilities along with parents of children whose
household income was low to moderate desired a preschool that
would serve ALL children regardless of their physical or mental
abilities or ability to pay.
Northland Early Education Center began in the basement of a
house in Wood Heights, north of Excelsior Springs, with 6
students enrolled. With funds provided by the Clay County
Developmental Disabilities Resource Board, in 1998, NEEC was
able to move into a more spacious building that is light, airy
and inviting. This added space enhances the ability of every
child to learn and contributes to the ability to more fully
separate activities and learning situations that are age
appropriate.
Northland Early Education Center now serves 116 children from
birth through 5 years of age. 44 children served by NEEC have
either a physical or mental disability such as Down’s Syndrome,
Cerebral Palsy, Asperger Syndrome, Cornelia de Lange Syndrome,
Epilepsy, Autism, visual impairment, brain trauma or behavior
disorder. Additionally, 19 children served at Northland Early
Education Center are from economically disadvantaged households.
There is no other program in the Clay County, MO area that so
fully integrates all pre-school children regardless of physical
or mental challenges and socioeconomic differences in a quality
setting like that of Northland Early Education Center. All
barriers are removed, and EVERY child becomes part of the
school.
