Kindergarteners at Perryville Primary Center are getting a head start thanks to a new partnership with Mercy Perry’s occupational therapy team aimed at spotting developmental needs early and tailoring education strategies to each child.
The program brings Mercy Perry’s occupational therapists into the school to provide free screenings focused on processing levels, brain organization and visual skills. These assessments, combined with the district’s educational data, help teachers adapt lessons to each student’s needs — boosting both academic performance and classroom engagement.
Debbie Hayden, manager of occupational therapy at Mercy Perry, said the collaboration represents more than just a health check. “This program is a powerful example of how health care and education can come together to support the whole child,” she said. “By offering these services free of charge, we’re investing in the future of our community and ensuring every child has the opportunity to thrive.”
The screenings aim to identify at-risk students early, closing developmental gaps and building stronger long-term success for children who may face challenges in traditional learning environments. By intervening at the start of a child’s education, the program helps ensure students enter first grade with greater confidence and readiness.
Emily Koenig, principal of Perryville Primary Center, said the partnership is already making an impact in classrooms. “The insights provided by Mercy’s screenings have been instrumental in helping our teachers better understand and support their kindergarteners,” Koenig said. “It’s a win-win for everyone involved. I believe we could be setting a new standard for community collaboration, where compassion, expertise and shared purpose drive meaningful outcomes for children and families.”
Mercy Perry covered all costs for the screenings, donating more than 100 hours of occupational therapy community service this year alone. That investment reflects the hospital’s long tradition of outreach and commitment to the Perryville community.
The effort also connects with a broader conversation about kindergarten readiness across Missouri. A University of Missouri study found that students who enter kindergarten less prepared are nine to 10 times more likely to have low reading scores 18 months later. Statewide, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education uses a Kindergarten Entry Assessment to measure readiness in areas such as communication, social-emotional skills, health, and early learning. The results show that children who start behind often struggle to catch up.
That makes Perryville’s initiative timely, as schools across Missouri are working to strengthen early childhood education. By partnering with healthcare professionals, Perryville Primary is showing how communities can pool resources to help children succeed from day one.
“Kindergarten may only last a year, but the foundation it sets lasts a lifetime,” Hayden said. “The more we can do to support children at this stage, the stronger their future will be.”
