They ran. They climbed. They laughed.
And they said thank you.
Children at the Knox Educational Service Center (ECS) preschool at New Hope gathered to express their appreciation to three local organizations that helped to pay for major improvements to their playground. The $108,938 project included new equipment and a large circular all-weather surface. Preschool Director Jackie Nutt secured federal grant funds, which totaled $81,938.
Three local organizations combined to pay the remaining $27,000. They include:
– Ariel Corporation, $10,000
– The Energy Cooperative Round-Up Foundation, $10,000
– United Way, $7,000
“We are grateful to our community supporters whose contributions helped make our playground improvements possible,” Nutt said. “The new play equipment and all-weather surfaces allow all of our students to safely run, climb, swing and access the equipment under staff supervision. Our 3-, 4- and 5-year-olds do better work in their classrooms after they have had the opportunity to burn off energy in the secure, fenced playground.”
Knox ESC also operates preschool campuses at Centerburg, East Knox and Fredericktown.
Each site offers half-day classes – morning or afternoon – Monday through Thursday. The play-based learning program is open to all children, including those with special needs.
All classrooms are licensed by the Ohio Department of Education and are highly rated through Ohio’s Step Up to Quality program. Classrooms are staffed by certified early childhood teaching professionals and offer low student-to-teacher ratios.
While implementing developmentally appropriate, evidence-based instruction, the preschool staff works to build relations between home and school.
For more information or to enroll, call 740-393-6980 or visit preschool@knoxesc.org.
