• The Parent and Child Together (PACT) program was founded in the spring of 1977 by three Ladue School District parents. Their proposal to the Ladue School District Board of Education was to establish a parent education program, parent support, and shared parent-child experiences. The pilot project was approved, and a nonprofit, fee-based program was established under the supervision of Ladue District Council through Ladue Community School, the community outreach component of the school district.

    Subsequent years saw this grassroots movement grow from one program to five separate programs, serving children from birth to 6 years old and their parents. The early childhood program has been located at four sites in the Ladue School District.

    Timeline

    1977

    • A pilot project was approved for a parent-child program. Parent And Child Together (PACT) launched with two classes based on parent education, parent support and shared parent-child experiences.

    1979

    • Extended Day Kindergarten was added as a half-day enrichment program designed to compliment regular kindergarten.
    • The center was officially given its name, the Ladue Early Childhood Center.

    1981

    • A summer program for preschool students, Scooters and Scampers, was offered.

    1982

    • PACT Preschool, a developmental preschool program, was introduced, closing the programming gap between parent-child classes and the kindergarten enrichment program. Programs at the LECC served children from birth through 6 years old and their families.
      The center opened in the former Wright Elementary School building.

    1984

    • A summer camp, Pebbles and Stepping Stones for 3- to 6-year-olds, was established.
    • A Before and After School care program (BASK) was established and operated from each of the four elementary schools and at the LECC; in 1990, the LECC assumed the administration of the BASK program at five sites.

    1985-86

    • The Ladue School District contracted with the LECC to provide state-mandated services for Parents As Teachers. The service is free for district residents.

    1990-91

    • The Ladue School District incorporated Parents As Teachers into the district.
    • The LECC assumed the administration of the BASK program at five sites.

    1995-96

    • A tuition-based, self-supporting, extended-day kindergarten program was initiated through the LECC.
      The LECC was incorporated into the Ladue School District. The center is run under Ladue Community Services programs.
      Ladue Early Services joined the LECC.

    2007-08

    • The first team-taught class with the Special School District occurred at the LECC. The Ladue Early Childhood Education Task Force was created.

    2009

    • Proposition O was passed, allowing the construction for a new center.

    2010

    • Construction began on the new LECC on July 22, 2010.

    2011-12

    • The new Ladue Early Childhood Center opened on Sept. 12, 2011.