Business Details
24 Years
experience
Inclusive Early Education & Therapy Services
Northland Early Education Center (NEEC) has been a leader in inclusive early childhood education and therapeutic intervention since 1981. Our mission is to provide high-quality, accessible education and therapy services for children with special needs and their typically developing peers. With a team of nationally accredited professionals, we maintain state licensures, CARF and NAEYC accreditations, and participate in the QRS pilot program. Our approach emphasizes family collaboration, individualized care, and a nurturing environment where children develop cognitive, social, and life skills. We serve nearly 200 children annually, with 50% having special needs, and maintain lower-than-state-mandated student-to-teacher ratios. Our staff includes certified therapists, bachelors-prepared lead teachers, and dedicated administrative professionals committed to continuous education and training.NEECs inclusive classrooms foster mutual learning between children with and without special needs, promoting compassion and diversity. We partner with Missouri First Steps and local school districts to ensure comprehensive service delivery while maintaining fiscal responsibility and organizational growth. Our leadership team brings decades of combined experience in early childhood education and therapeutic services. Through community partnerships and donor support, we ensure financial sustainability while maintaining accessibility for families across socioeconomic backgrounds.
Services
Early Intervention Services
Physical Therapy
Occupational Therapy
Speech Pathology
Special Instruction
Details
- Year established: 2002
Highlights and features
- We maintain CARF and NAEYC accreditations for educational excellence
- Our staff includes certified therapists and bachelors-prepared lead teachers
- We implement individualized Family Service Plans for each child
- Our classrooms maintain lower-than-state-mandated student-to-teacher ratios
- We partner with Missouri First Steps and local school districts for comprehensive care
Associations and certifications
- National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
- Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF)
Services
Early Intervention Services
Our Early Intervention Services program provides comprehensive therapy for children birth to 5 with special needs. Certified professionals deliver physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology, and special instruction through Missouri First Steps funding. Services occur on-site or in-home with family participation required for technique integration. We coordinate care with external service coordinators and maintain strict compliance with IFSP and IEP requirements while serving nearly 200 children annually.
Physical Therapy
Our physical therapy services focus on improving motor skills and mobility for children with developmental delays. Certified therapists use evidence-based techniques to address gross motor development, balance, and coordination. Treatment plans incorporate adaptive equipment and home exercise programs. Sessions emphasize functional movement patterns and environmental adaptations to support daily living activities while maintaining physician-prescribed treatment protocols.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy services address fine motor skills, sensory processing, and daily living activities. Therapists use specialized training in sensory integration and oral motor techniques to improve feeding, dressing, and self-care abilities. Treatment incorporates adaptive tools and environmental modifications while maintaining collaboration with families to ensure skill carryover into home routines and daily activities.
Speech Pathology
Our speech-language pathologists provide comprehensive communication interventions for children with speech delays and disorders. Services address articulation, language development, and alternative communication methods. Therapy sessions incorporate play-based learning and family education to support language development across settings while maintaining documentation for insurance and funding source requirements.
Special Instruction
Special instruction services focus on individualized educational support for children with developmental delays. Certified instructors implement behavior analysis techniques and adaptive teaching strategies to address learning challenges. Services include curriculum modifications, social skills development, and collaboration with classroom teachers to ensure inclusive learning environments that meet each child's unique educational needs.
People
Brea Connett
Executive Director
Brea Connett has served as Executive Director since 2017 after 17 years in teaching roles at NEEC. She holds a Master's in Educational Psychology from the University of Missouri-Columbia and oversees all operations while maintaining accreditation standards. With experience in classroom instruction and program management, she ensures fiscal sustainability and organizational growth.
Tammy Dodd
Director of Programs
Tammy Dodd leads program operations with responsibility for accreditation compliance and family satisfaction. She earned her bachelor's degree from Park University in 2023 after 15 years in teaching roles at NEEC. Her expertise includes early childhood curriculum implementation and staff development coordination.
Lauren Pitnick
Assistant Program Director
Lauren Pitnick holds a bachelor's degree in early childhood education from Park University. She has progressed from assistant teacher to leadership roles since joining NEEC in 2014. Her responsibilities include classroom supervision and program quality assurance while maintaining family engagement standards.
Natasha Lehman
Director of Development
Natasha Lehman manages fundraising and community outreach initiatives. With 20 years of teaching experience at NEEC, she transitioned to development in 2023. She earned her degree in Middle School and Special Education from Southwest Baptist University and focuses on expanding community partnerships and donor relations.
Cindy Humbird
Office Manager
Cindy Humbird has served as Office Manager since 1991, managing tuition operations and family interactions. With over 30 years of institutional knowledge, she handles administrative systems and clerical operations while maintaining continuity in office procedures and staff support functions.
Questions
What early education programs do you offer?
We provide inclusive preschool for ages birth to 5 with lower-than-state-mandated student-to-teacher ratios. Our Project Construct curriculum emphasizes hands-on learning in fully inclusive classrooms where children develop social and academic skills together.
What therapy services are available?
We offer physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, and special instruction through our CARF-accredited therapy program. Services are provided by licensed professionals with Missouri First Steps program approval.
How are services funded?
Most services are funded through Missouri First Steps, Medicaid, or private pay arrangements. We also receive support from foundations, charities, and community donors to maintain accessibility for families with financial need.
What are your accreditation credentials?
We maintain national accreditation from NAEYC and CARF, with state licensure through the Missouri Department of Health and certification from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
What are your operating hours?
Our standard operating hours are 6:30 AM to 6:00 PM for before/after school care, with full-time education programs operating 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. Summer programs follow similar schedules with adjusted durations.
What are your eligibility requirements?
We serve children birth to 5 years old, prioritizing those with special needs. We cannot accommodate medically fragile children requiring constant medical supervision or families unable to meet financial obligations without qualifying subsidies.
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