The Shawnee Mission Early Childhood Education Center, set to be the first ground-up dedicated ECEC in the district, is designed for SMSD’s youngest learners to foster real-world learning and exploration. The intentional facility will create opportunities for peer learning through integrated and inclusive design, preparing all students with essential life skills for kindergarten and beyond.

The developed site concept includes a one-story building situated around an outdoor play space, bringing in natural light and forming a shared zone surrounded by classrooms and exploratory space. A community walking trail northeast of the facility connects surrounding neighborhoods to the site.

On the inside, the theme “nature’s wonderland” is carried throughout with calming natural colors, engaging textures, and spaces that invite exploration, imagination and creativity. Scaled environmental graphics line the corridors and themed, immersive play spaces foster real-world experiences for young learners. 

The new Early Childhood Education Center is set to open in fall 2027.