Partnership Announcement
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HappyFeet Soccer Partners with Christ Early Learning Center
SHAWNEE, KS — HappyFeet Kansas City is proud to announce an official partnership with
Christ Early Learning Center to provide exclusive on-site soccer enrichment for enrolled families at the
14506 E 39th St S campus. The program brings professional youth soccer instruction directly to the school
during school hours — eliminating extra driving for busy families throughout Independence, Blue Springs, Grain Valley, Blue Springs,
and surrounding communities.
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Partnership Highlights
The HappyFeet and Christ Early Learning Center partnership gives enrolled families access to professional on-site soccer at no extra logistical cost — classes happen during school hours, a ball is provided, and the program costs $45/month.
What This Means for Christ Early Learning Center Families
- Exclusive access — On-site soccer is only for enrolled Christ Early Learning Center students
- Zero extra driving — Classes happen during school hours on the 39th St S campus
- Same pickup time — Your daily routine doesn’t change at all
- Familiar environment — Children learn soccer with classmates they already know
- Everything included — Ball provided and professional instruction for $45/month
- Ages 2-6 — Age-appropriate curriculum at every developmental stage
- Pathway to more — Direct connection to KC Legends Soccer Club (ages 6-18)
Character Development On and Off the Field
Christ Early Learning Center builds character through faith, community, and structured learning. HappyFeet soccer complements this by teaching teamwork, perseverance, and sportsmanship in a supportive group setting. Our coaches emphasize encouragement over competition — every child gets equal attention, every child succeeds. For families at Christ Early Learning Center, on-site soccer means their children develop physically and socially in the same values-driven environment they experience in the classroom.
Ready to get started?
faith-based early childhood curriculum Meets HappyFeet: A Natural Fit
Christ Early Learning Center’s faith-based early childhood curriculum and HappyFeet’s play-based soccer model are philosophically aligned — both are grounded in research showing that children develop best through purposeful play, active engagement, and joyful exploration.
The partnership brings together two organizations whose educational philosophies were built from the same
foundational insight: that children learn best when they’re engaged, active, and having fun.
Christ Early Learning Center’s faith-based early childhood curriculum is a nationally recognized,
research-based approach developed by the our partner network. It balances structured academic development
with purposeful play — nurturing intellectual, social, emotional, and physical growth simultaneously.
The result: enrolled students consistently show strong kindergarten readiness outcomes.
HappyFeet’s play-based soccer curriculum applies the same principle to physical
development. Instead of drills and lines, HappyFeet coaches use storytelling, imagination, and creative
games to keep children moving, touching the ball, and building genuine skills. Children get approximately
150 ball touches per session — far above industry averages — in an environment that feels like play
rather than practice.
Where the Two Philosophies Align
Purposeful Play
Both the faith-based early childhood curriculum and HappyFeet treat play as the primary vehicle for learning — not a break from it.
Whole-Child Development
Both programs develop social, emotional, and physical skills simultaneously alongside academic and motor foundations.
Research-Backed Methods
Christ Early Learning Center’s faith-based early childhood curriculum and HappyFeet’s curriculum are both grounded in child development research, not tradition alone.
Confidence Through Competence
Both programs build real skills — academic readiness or ball skills — that give children genuine confidence, not just participation trophies.
“We know that busy parents in Independence and Blue Springs don’t need another place to drive. By bringing
HappyFeet directly to Christ Early Learning Center, we’re giving families professional soccer
instruction without adding anything to their schedules. That’s what a real partnership looks like —
more value, not more logistics.”
Two organizations, one shared philosophy — purposeful play.
Program Details
HappyFeet at Christ Early Learning Center runs weekly sessions during school hours at the 39th St S campus, serving enrolled children ages 2-6 for $45 per month all-inclusive.
Location
14506 E 39th St S
Independence, MO 64055
Ages Served
2–6 years old
Schedule
Weekly during school hours
Monthly Investment
$45 (all-inclusive)
What’s Included
Soccer ball provided, professional instruction
Pathway
KC Legends Soccer Club (age 6+)
What Independence Families Are Saying
Enrolled families at Christ Early Learning Center consistently describe the on-site soccer as one of the most meaningful quality-of-life improvements in their week — not just for their children’s development, but for family schedule sanity.
About Christ Early Learning Center
Christ Early Learning Center has served the Independence area families since opening.
Located at 14506 E 39th St S in Independence, MO 64055, the school is owned and operated by local ownership and is open Monday through Friday.
Christ Early Learning Center offers programs for Infants, Toddlers, Preschool, Pre-K,
Kindergarten, and After School care — all built on the our partner network’s proprietary
faith-based early childhood curriculum, a research-based approach that blends purposeful play with structured
academic preparation. Schools in the our partner network send 97% of graduates to kindergarten ready.
The Independence location holds a strong Google ratings and a strong Niche ratings.
Learn more at www.icumc.org/early-learning-center
or call (816) 461-3393.
About HappyFeet Kansas City
Since 2003, HappyFeet has introduced thousands of Kansas City toddlers to soccer through imaginative,
play-based learning. The program’s unique curriculum uses storytelling and creative games to develop
coordination, confidence, and a genuine love for physical activity in children ages 2-6.
Children receive approximately 150 ball touches per 40-minute session — one of the highest in the industry.
HappyFeet is the official feeder program for KC Legends Soccer Club, providing a
seamless pathway from first touches (ages 2-6) to competitive youth soccer (ages 6-18).
HappyFeet partners with quality childcare centers across the Kansas City metro to bring soccer
directly to families. Learn more at happyfeetkc.com.
Interested in Learning More?
Discover why Independence families choose Christ Early Learning Center for education and HappyFeet for soccer development.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the HappyFeet and Christ Early Learning Center partnership from families in Independence, Blue Springs, and the Independence area.
Can my child participate if they don’t attend Christ Early Learning Center?
it’s one of the special enrichment perks Christ Early Learning Center Independence families enjoy. If you’re interested
in HappyFeet but not enrolled at Christ Early Learning Center, we offer
open-enrollment classes at other KC locations.
How do I sign up if my child attends Christ Early Learning Center?
school. You can also ask at enrollment or contact the school at
(816) 461-3393 to get started.
How does the faith-based early childhood curriculum align with HappyFeet’s curriculum?
both treat purposeful play as the primary vehicle for child development, both are research-backed,
and both prioritize genuine skill-building over rote repetition. The programs reinforce each other
in the same school day.
Can I get a trial class before enrolling?
prospective enrolled families. Request a free trial
and we’ll help coordinate the best option.
What ages can participate?
The curriculum is age-appropriate, with activities tailored to each child’s developmental stage.