By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
WKTV Managing Editor
joanne@wktv.org
Out of everyone there to mark the start of construction for Kentwood Public School’s new early education center, four-year-old Legende Gray captured the excitement the best.
He waved to the crowd when introduced by Superintendent Kevin Polston and immediately ran up to grab a shovel when it was time for the symbolic turning of the soil for the groundbreaking ceremony.
“No, I want one of the big ones,” Legende said as Polston tried to hand him a smaller shovel. “I’m ready to dig the hole.”
A building just for preschoolers
About 30 people turned out on the chilly Tuesday morning for the official groundbreaking ceremony that signaled the start of construction for the 40,000-square-foot facility. The state-of-the-art building designed for three- and four-year-olds in preschool programs will be next to the district’s Townline Elementary, located just east of the intersection of Division Avenue and 60th Street.
The project is the first from the $192 million bond request that was approved by voters in 2021. Besides the early childhood center, the bond included a new K-8th grade building along with enhancing various spaces in the district’s school buildings and funding the district’s technology needs.
“Quality early childhood has many benefits but most importantly provides the building blocks for education for our most vulnerable learners,” Polston said, adding that research has shown students who attend preschool have improved academic outcomes and are socially and emotionally more prepared for school.
The facility will house several preschool programs such as:
Early On, which assists families with infants and toddlers who have a delay in their development or diagnosed disability.
Great Start Readiness Program, a state-funded preschool program
Head Start, a non-profit agency that provides holistic, family-centered services at no costs to quality families in Kent County.
Bright Beginnings, which provides services to families with children birth to kindergarten entry throughout Kent County through such services as personal home visits, playgroups, and parent meetings.
Early Childhood Special Education, a Kentwood Public Schools program that offers evaluations, home services, outpatient therapy, and classroom programs to preschool students with special education needs.
Tuition-based preschool, a nonprofit program that is offered through the Kentwood Public Schools.
Designing around the youngest learners
The needs of the students are being considered throughout the design, said K’Sandra Earle, the director of Kentwood’s Early Childhood Center. For example, technology is being considered not only to support all learners but to meet a diverse student population that includes students with special rights and special abilities, Earle said.
“There will be heated floors,” she said as an example of the details being considered. “In preschool, we spend much of our time on the floor so making sure students are made as comfortable as possible is important.”
Through a collaborative with Bright Beginnings, Early On, and Kentwood Public Schools, the district has housed a community playground that brings children of all abilities together in a general education setting. The new facility will allow for more opportunities to provide inclusive programming, Earle said.
Other features in the building will include small group rooms in the classroom for sensory needs and the community space will have garage doors that can be rolled up to provide students with outdoor activities.
“The building of this new early childhood center demonstrates Kentwood’s investment in intentionality as it relates to our youngest community members,” Earle said at the groundbreaking. “This center will be a place where children’s natural curiosity will be provoked, their sense of imagination broaden, and who they are culturally and linguistically will be nurtured.”
Construction is scheduled to start in November and be completed in either late 2023 or the beginning of 2024. Architect for the project is TowerPinkster with construction headed by Fritz Wahlfield Construction.
