Longtime Preschool Director Retires After Guiding Little Alice Learning Center

Kelley McCarty, a 39-year education veteran, steps down after launching Vincennes' new early childhood program.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 6:37pm

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A bold, colorful silkscreen-style illustration featuring a repeating grid of stacked children's building blocks in bright primary colors, representing the playful, hands-on approach to early childhood education at the Little Alice Learning Center.The vibrant, playful atmosphere of the Little Alice Learning Center's play-based curriculum is captured in this pop art-inspired illustration.Vincennes Today

After a 39-year career in education, Kelley McCarty is retiring as director of the Little Alice Learning Center preschool program in Vincennes, Indiana. McCarty, who previously served as a principal in the Vincennes Community School Corporation, was selected to lead the development and launch of the new early childhood center, guiding it through its first two years. During her final school board presentation, McCarty outlined the center's 'purposeful play, powerful learning' approach and two staff members were recognized for their contributions.

Why it matters

The Little Alice Learning Center represents a significant investment by the Vincennes school district in early childhood education, with McCarty's leadership playing a crucial role in establishing the program's curriculum and teaching methods aligned with state standards. Her retirement marks the end of an era, as the Bowman family has contributed over a century of service to the district.

The details

During Monday's school board meeting, McCarty gave a presentation highlighting the Little Alice Learning Center's approach to early childhood instruction, which focuses on 'purposeful play' as the primary way young children learn. The licensed preschool program uses the Creative Curriculum and other research-based tools to connect classroom activities to kindergarten readiness goals, with teachers guiding and expanding learning through observation and interaction. Two Little Alice staff members, Eryka Stein and Ashlee Fredrick, were also recognized as Vincennes Community School Corporation Employees of the Month for their contributions to the program.

  • McCarty will step down as director on May 31, 2026, concluding a 39-year career in education.
  • McCarty was selected to lead the development and launch of the Little Alice Learning Center, guiding the program through its first two years.

The players

Kelley McCarty

The retiring director of the Little Alice Learning Center preschool program in Vincennes, Indiana, who has spent 39 years in education, including serving as a principal in the Vincennes Community School Corporation.

Eryka Stein

A classroom teacher at the Little Alice Learning Center recognized as a Vincennes Community School Corporation Employee of the Month for creating a student-centered environment and integrating early literacy and math skills into daily instruction.

Ashlee Fredrick

A classroom assistant at the Little Alice Learning Center recognized as a Vincennes Community School Corporation Employee of the Month for supporting daily classroom operations and helping maintain a safe and supportive learning environment for students.

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What they’re saying

“The program is built around what the district describes as 'purposeful play, powerful learning,' where play is used as the primary way young children learn.”

— Kelley McCarty, Preschool Program Director

What’s next

The Vincennes Community School Corporation will need to hire a new director to lead the Little Alice Learning Center following Kelley McCarty's retirement on May 31, 2026.

The takeaway

Kelley McCarty's retirement marks the end of an era for early childhood education in Vincennes, as the Bowman family has contributed over a century of service to the district. The Little Alice Learning Center, launched under McCarty's leadership, represents a significant investment by the school system in providing high-quality, play-based preschool instruction aligned with state standards.