Principal’s Message

Welcome to East Dover Early Childhood Center!

It is with great excitement and pride that I welcome you to East Dover Early Childhood Center, where our mission is rooted in the joy of early learning, the power of relationships, and a deep commitment to nurturing the whole child. This year marks an exciting milestone for Capital School District as we officially launch our Early Childhood Centers, and we are honored to be part of this bold step forward.

At East Dover, we believe that early childhood is the foundation for lifelong success. Our team is dedicated to creating a safe, supportive, and joyful environment where our littlest Senators can grow socially, emotionally, and academically. We prioritize strong routines, explicit instruction, and the development of foundational literacy and numeracy skills to prepare our students for elementary school and beyond.

We’re also proud to be partnering closely with Fairview Early Childhood Center and its principal, Dr. Seifert, as we align our work and support one another in this shared journey. Together, we are committed to making Capital’s youngest learners feel seen, supported, and celebrated.

Our school family extends beyond our classrooms. Families are our most important partners, and we value your voice, your involvement, and your trust. Whether it's reading together at home, attending a classroom celebration, or participating in our Parent Lighthouse Team, your engagement is essential to your child’s success.

This year, we will continue to use the Leader in Me framework to guide our work and help our students build leadership skills, confidence, and a strong sense of community. As always, we strive to leave people, places, and things better than we found them—and that includes your children, who we are privileged to serve each day.

Thank you for being part of the East Dover Early Childhood Center community. We’re ready to blast off into a year full of leading, learning, and joyful growth!

Warmly,

Dr. Nicole Ickes
Principal, East Dover Early Childhood Center