Established in 2014, Flance Early Learning Center was founded with a clear mission: to deliver high-quality early childhood education services to children from all socioeconomic backgrounds. The center’s core focus is on ensuring students are thoroughly prepared for kindergarten, with a particular emphasis on nurturing their social and emotional development. Flance is dedicated to creating a supportive and enriching environment where young learners can thrive.
A significant milestone for Flance was the establishment of a distinctive private/public partnership with St. Louis Public Schools at the start of the 2018-2019 academic year. This innovative collaboration was driven by a shared vision to expand early childhood opportunities within the near north side of St. Louis. As a direct result of this partnership, Flance has grown to serve 115 students, drawing children from a diverse range of socioeconomic circumstances, further enriching the learning environment.
To foster holistic development, Flance offers a range of unique programs tailored to infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. Beyond academic and social preparation, Flance integrates a hands-on garden project for families, students, and the wider community, sustained in collaboration with Urban Harvest STL. Preschoolers actively participate in cultivating fresh produce in the garden, connecting them directly to the food they eat as they see these ingredients used in the center’s kitchen and served in their meals.
Recognizing the transformative power of the arts, Flance collaborates with numerous organizations throughout St. Louis and Edwardsville to provide rich arts enrichment experiences. These partnerships include renowned institutions such as COCA, Circus Harmony, Metro Theater, and SIUE, exposing children to a wide spectrum of artistic disciplines and fostering creativity.
Literacy development is another cornerstone of Flance’s approach, strengthened through a vital partnership with Ready Readers. Volunteers from Ready Readers regularly visit all classrooms, including infant rooms, as part of Flance’s comprehensive early literacy program. Understanding that early exposure is key, this program aims to ignite a passion for reading in children from the earliest age, setting a strong foundation for future learning and success.
