SIKESTON - The Sikeston Head Start center is moving - to another location in Sikeston, that is, and is slated to settle into its new home this fall.
Delta Area Economic Opportunity Corporation Head Start, headquartered in Portageville, purchased property for the new center on Feb. 1.
"We've been working on this (new location) for a couple of years," Keith Atchley, Head Start facilities and transportation coordinator, said. "We're happy to be getting it. It'll be good for us (DAEOC Head Start)."
One of the main reasons for the relocation was because DAEOC is leasing the current Head Start center and they wanted to purchase land for a new center. Atchley said DAEOC finally had enough money to purchase the property.
It's just simple economics, he said about purchasing the property. In the long run, it's better to buy than lease, he said.
The current Sikeston Head Start center is located on 103 E. Kathleen, while the new center will be at 115 S. West St. The property was purchased from Harry and Mark Pratt of Pratt Development Inc. in Sikeston.
Another reason for the new location is that the new center's building is one level, while the current center is two levels. Atchley said the classrooms will be more ideal with restrooms in each classroom, unlike the communal restrooms at the current center. The new center will have the same number of classrooms, but more storage space, he added.
The building will have to be renovated and the work will be extensive. "We'll have to completely refurbish it," he said. "It will be like building a building within a building."
Atchley said construction for the new center should begin in April and is projected to be finished by the end of August, just in time for the new school year.
Children who attend the Head Start Program receive progressive and accepted child development principles, social competence and school readiness. Children ages 3 to 5 may participate in the program.
DAEOC Head Start Program provides services to the children and families in the six-county service area of Scott, Pemiscot, Dunklin, Mississippi, New Madrid and Stoddard counties.
The Sikeston Head Start center is the largest of the 17 Head Start centers in the six-county service area. The Sikeston Head Start center accommodates over 200 children and staff.