For pick-ups and drop-offs, vehicles will turn onto Park Drive from Hines Street and enter the Early Childhood Center’s parking lot from behind Price Elementary, then exit the way they came. Please see the map below. 

Please do not begin lining up until 15 minutes before dismissal to help avoid traffic trouble. Dismissal times are listed below. Please have your carline sign visible in the window of your car. You’ll receive this at Open House. If you cannot attend, we will ask that you come into the office to pick yours up anytime after August 15.  

At drop-off, staff will unload your student each day. To ensure safety, do not let your student out of the vehicle before staff is ready to help. At pick-up, staff will bring students to families in the car line. Parents are required to load their students in vehicles and buckle them in.

Click here for a larger version of the EC traffic map.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when dropping off or picking up students:

• We will only unload and load at the designated drop-off sections of the traffic route. We have six numbered sections. When it is your turn, please pull to the farthest numbered sign to drop off or pick up your student. When all six vehicles are unloaded or loaded, all six can exit the car line.

• Be aware of potential pedestrians along the traffic route. Be mindful of the park area.

• Please follow the arrows on the map. Deviating from the provided traffic route can be a potential safety hazard for pedestrians and can cause other drivers frustration. 

• Do not park along the traffic route at any time.

• Be courteous of other drivers.

• From the time of dismissal, it will only take 15-20 minutes for every child to be picked up. Of course, the first few weeks it may take longer until the routine and traffic flow is in place.

Pick-up and drop-off times are listed below.

• Full Day and Half Day Afternoon:

  Monday-Thursday mornings, the carline will begin at 8:10 a.m. with the school day beginning at 8:30 a.m. Students will be dismissed at 3:40 p.m. Vehicles can begin lining up for pick-up at 3:25 p.m.

  On Early Release Fridays, students may still arrive beginning at 8:10 a.m. with the school day starting at 8:30 a.m. Dismissal will occur at 2:40 p.m. Vehicles can begin lining up for pick-up on Fridays at 2:25 p.m.

• Half Day Morning:

  Monday-Friday mornings, the carline will begin at 8:10 a.m. with the school day beginning at 8:30 a.m. Students will be dismissed at 11:20 a.m. Vehicles can begin lining up for pick-up at 11:05 a.m.

If your child will have a change in their daily plan, please contact the EC office at 417-735-3736 by 2:40 p.m. (1:40 p.m. on Friday) to notify the office of this change. If your child needs to be picked up early, they must be picked up by the following times:

• Morning classes: 11:00 a.m.

• Full Day and Half Day Afternoon: 3:00 p.m. (2:00 p.m. on Friday).