Awards & Recognition
Missouri Accreditation
Flance Early Learning Center has achieved recognition of excellence through Missouri Accreditation. Initial accreditation was awarded in 2021, renewed in 2022 and again in 2023 through 2027. This distinguishes Flance as an exemplary program offering high-quality programming to the children of Missouri. Flance offers developmentally appropriate experiences in an environment conducive to children flourishing intellectually, emotionally, socially, and physically.
U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon School
Flance Early Learning Center has been honored with a 2021 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools Award! We were nominated by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, in partnership with Missouri Green Schools.
This award acknowledges Flance’s commitment to sustainable practices and leadership in facilities, health, and environmental education. Flance was the only school in Missouri to receive this honor in 2021 and one out of three early learning centers to be recognized in the United States.
Healthy Way to Grow Center (Gold Level)
In the Fall of 2020, Flance was recognized by the American Heart Association as the only GOLD-certified Healthy Way to Grow Center in the country! We are combating obesity through health programming that focuses on nutrition and physical activity.
What’s Right with the Region Award from Focus St. Louis
On Thursday, May 11, 2023, Flance was honored by Focus St. Louis with its What’s Right with the Region award. Flance is recognized by Focus for its commitment to IDEA - inclusion, diversity, equity and access. IDEA is in Flance’s DNA, and is the reason we we were founded - to improve the trajectory of young children in one of the most distressed areas of our state - north city in the 63016 zip code.
Nature Explorer Classroom Certification
As of October 2023, Flance’s Outdoor Classroom was recognized as a Certified Nature Explore Classroom by the Nature Explorer Program. The Outdoor Classroom intentionally extends learning opportunities into the outdoors by incorporating interactive and open-ended materials that foster creativity, imagination, and initiative in children. Aspects of the outdoor classroom include dedicated areas for music and movement, nature art, building, dirt and sensory exploration, gross motor play, water play and garden education. Learn more about Flance’s Outdoor Classroom here.
Breast Feeding Friendly Worksite & Child Care Award
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) awarded Flance with the Breast Feeding Friendly Worksite and Child Care Award for supporting breastfeeding families. Flance has a designated lactation room where nursing staff and families are able to breastfeed.
EnVision Center
Flance Early Learning Center was named an EnVision Center by the Department of Housing and Urban Development for our commitment to helping families achieve self-sufficiency. This designation allowed Flance to start the Food Box Friday program from May 2020 - May 2022. The program allowed Flance to distribute over a ton of free, fresh food to Flance families, staff, and community members.