Day Nursery: A Childcare Leader

Did you know: In central Indiana there are only 24 licensed childcare spots for every 100 children under the age of six whose caregivers work outside the home?

Women's Fund has awarded $830,000 to address caregiving challenges in central Indiana, funding organizations like Day Nursery Association of Greater Indianapolis.

Recently I had the opportunity to join Women's Fund OPTIONS participants and Advisory Board members at a site visit to Day Nursery's Northwest Center. I was fairly familiar with Day Nursery, but I had several "a-ha" moments during the visit. It was amazing to see first-hand the high-quality affordable care they provide to children, the assurance this care provides families, and the leadership they offer to other daycare providers in the community.

Prior to the visit, I knew that Day Nursery has fantastic facilities with great staff. I learned the teachers not only are encouraged to seek higher education, they receive paid time off to pursue studies and up to 90% assistance to complete a CDA, Associate or Bachelor Degree in Early Childhood Education. This education-focused culture not only helps Day Nursery retain employees and offer high-quality child care to families, it gives the employees a life-long foundation to better provide for their families.

In addition to meeting stringent requirements to be accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), Day Nursery Centers are also in the Paths to QUALITY program through the Family and Social Services Administration, a statewide childcare quality ranking system. The requirements for both Paths to Quality and NAEYC are such that it can be difficult for childcares based in-home or in faith-based institutions to meet the requirements, due to limitations with their facilities and budgets. Day Nursery offers support to these providers, in addition to providing resources to parents through Child Care Answers.

Day Nursery offers many other wonderful benefits; at the Northwest Center, they serve 6 week-old children through kindergartners. Older children with special needs can access learning opportunities through Pike Township Schools. Children receive breakfast, lunch, and two snacks every day, and recreation time at the center's gym or playground. The Northwest Center also serves children of Pike Township High School students, allowing them the opportunity stay in school in order to graduate. Children at all Day Nursery centers have access to immunizations and health care services through on-site services provided by a Nurse Practitioner each month.

I am grateful for the quality childcare and leadership Day Nursery provides to our community, and I am proud of Women's Fund's long-standing support of their work.