Top Learning Center-South

read moreOur schools support working families by offering full-day learning opportunities to preschool-age children. TOP stands for "The Opportunity Project." TOP schools provide a variety of fun learning activities and programs, giving children the motivation and intellectual tools needed for emotional, academic, and lifelong success.

read moreThe first TOP Early Learning Center, located at 4600 S. Clifton in Wichita, Kansas opened in August of 2003. This $4 million, 40,000 square foot, 12-classroom center, provided the model for two additional TOP Early Learning Centers in Wichita - TOP North located at 2330 Opportunity Drive (2006) and the newest school, TOP Northwest located at 2665 N. Arkansas (2011). Our mission is to deliver a high-quality early learning experience to children living in poverty, providing them the tools needed for emotional, academic, and lifelong success.

read moreCornelia Stevens became the executive director of TOP Early Learning Centers in 2013, after serving as the South Central Region Director of the Kansas Children's Service League. Much of her professional career has been dedicated to early childhood programming and serving children and families. She has worked with several diverse organizations including the Mental Health Association of South Central Kansas, ResCare Kansas Life Choices and the Correctional Reception Center. In these roles, she directed the Kansas Compeer programs, coordinated volunteers, designed programming for those with mental illness and developmental disabilities, and implemented specialized services such as the Mentoring Children of Prisoners program.

read moreOne of TOP's main goals is to make certain every child enrolled is screened each fall in order to identify and address any potential learning or developmental delays. This includes early cognitive, language, physical, and social/emotional developmental hindrances. Once identified, TOP staff take the time to match children to the appropriate community resources, ensuring children get the intervention they need. Many of these resources provide services on site at TOP schools, making it convenient for parents and comfortable for children.

read moreWe have designed educational and developmentally appropriate programs for all our children - ages 12 months to 5 years. Our curriculum is so much fun, children don't even realize they are learning! We only use research-based, proven materials and delivery methods, ensuring positive outcomes for every child. The majority of activities are chosen based upon the interests of the children, keeping them engaged and asking lots of questions. This helps them learn to problem solve, cooperate, be independent and confident - ultimately preparing them for school and life success!

read moreQ: What hours and days are your centers open? A: We follow the public school schedule and are open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Q: Will food be provided for my child at TOP? A: Yes, each of the TOP Early Learning Centers has a full-sized commercial kitchen on site, staffed by a professional cook and kitchen staff. Your child will receive two nutritious meals and one snack each day. Meals are served family style in the classrooms, allowing children to learn proper table manners, sharing, how to set and clean up a table, how to serve food, and a chance to discuss foods they may have never previously been aware of.

read moreIf this sounds like the kind of environment you would enjoy, and you are looking for challenging but rewarding employment, please submit a cover letter and rsum to TOP Early Learning Centers at tblunt@topelc.com. We are always looking for caring, qualified and energetic folks to join our team. Qualifications for lead and assistant teachers vary somewhat by the age level of the classroom being taught. Most teachers must have at least an associate's degree in education, early education or equivalent.

read moreThe Opportunity Project is a charitable organization 501(c)3 devoted to providing an early childhood education to children in poverty. We believe all children deserve the opportunity to learn, regardless of their economic status. Numerous national studies and TOP's own longitudinal study have proven that high-quality, early educational day care and preschool services produce dramatic improvements in the life outcomes of economically at-risk children. In fact, individuals who were enrolled in a quality preschool program ultimately earned up to $2,000 more per month than those who were not; young people who were in preschool programs are more likely to graduate from high school, own a home, and have longer marriages.