Welcome to the Dallas County R-1 School District, Early Childhood Center.  The center is located at 818 W. Main Street, Buffalo, MO. The Early Childhood Center consists of the preschool program and Parents As Teachers program. Dallas County Early Childhood programs are Title I funded programs. The purpose of these programs are to provide educational experiences for children prior to entering Kindergarten.

The preschool program is a free program for students and parents.   Enrollment for this program is limited to 80 students. Students must be age four by July 31 of the enrolling school year and are selected through a multi-criteria process. Children must be residents of the Dallas Co R-I School District. Children must be potty trained in order to attend. The multi-criteria process prioritizes placement of children who are identified as at-risk.  Selected students attend four, half day sessions weekly.

The Parents As Teachers program is a free early childhood program that provides practical, effective support for all families and their children from prenatal until the child enters kindergarten, usually age 5.  The Dallas Co R-1 Parents as Teachers program is available to all families residing within the Dallas Co R-1 School District, beginning during pregnancy and continuing until the child enters kindergarten. Parents serve a very important role as their child's first teacher.  The program helps parents understand more about how their child grows and learns.