Many people to thank for Day Nursery Race Into Reading

As May comes to an end, we would like to send a big THANK YOU to our Race into Reading honorary chair, Simona De Silvestro; Master of Ceremonies, Bob Jenkins; Committee Chair, Barbara Maurath and committee members: Melanie Esselman, Bernice Hopp, Pat Hubley, Kristian Little, Sally Ohmart, Molly Redding, Megan Hacker-Schnitzler, Kathy Wall and Judy Zinn. Additionally, thank you to our sponsors: Goelzer Investment Management, Appnuity, Hylant Group, Ogletree Deakins, and Bingham Greenbaum Doll LLP. This event was a kick off to our Day Nursery Teacher’s Choice Book Selections for 2012. If you are interested in purchasing a book set, please contact us at (317) 636-9197, extension 240.

Day Nursery Federal Center Preschool Graduation

Another Pre-K class has flown the coop.  On Wednesday, we graduated 9 students from the Day Nursery Federal Center.  Center Director Sarah Parks shared pictures and this report: The graduates each received a “Diploma”, as well as a special gift from Day Nursery–a picture frame to put their graduation pictures in to remember this special day.  Each graduate also got to keep the 2012 tassel from their cap & gown ensemble as a momento.  Afterwards all the guests enjoyed cupcakes and Ms. Sarah’s famous Graduation Punch.  Congratulations Graduates!  We wish you luck next year in Kindergarten!

Lemonade Day at Day Nursery Ft. Harrison

Day Nursery Indiana Government Center preschoolers learn through lemonade sales

In the shadow of the Indiana State Capitol building, Mr. Tim’s preschool class is learning valuable life lessons through lemonade.  Students in this and our other 6 Day Nursery centers have been working on becoming entrepreneurs through the national Lemonade Day program.  Although the Lemonade Day officially is Saturday, our teachers took advantage of the curriculum materials that come with the bright yellow Lemonade Day backpacks to bring the lessons into their classroom and make it a group learning experience.  From learning new vocabulary words (can you say customer service?) t0 learning how to count change, Day Nursery students have been busy with preparations for their sale.  Yesterday I had a chance to see Mr. Tim Tegarden’s class in action and taste their product (delicious!).  Tim shared pictures of the process his class went through to launch their business and even included documentation boards behind his stand so the customers might appreciate the valuable lessons his students learned this week. Judging by the smiles on the faces of the students (and the amount of money they had stuffed in their bank), Lemonade Day was a success.  And, for Mr. Tim, it was a great day for him too. “This is why I love to teach,” he said.

Two Day Nursery Indianapolis centers recognized by Federal Government

Day Nursery Federal Center Director Sarah Parks (left) with Brenda Roldan, Regional Child Care Coordinator, GSA Public Buildings Service
Facilities Mgmt & Services Programs

Last month, two Day Nursery Association of Indianapolis centers were presented with a Keystone Award by the General Services Administration in recognition of our commitment to provide quality child care through the achievement of re-accreditation from the National Academy of Early Childhood Programs.  NAEYC accreditation is an achievement reached by only 10% of child care centers nationwide, so we are very proud that 100% of our seven Day Nurseries in Indianapolis have reached this goal.  The two centers recognized are those we operate in partnership with the Federal government. Congratulations to Sarah Parks and her staff at the Day Nursery Federal Center downtown and to Debra Ballard and her staff at Day Nursery Start Smart 4 Children at Ft. Harrison.

(Left to Right) Jessica Stewart, Assistant Director and Debra Ballard, Director, Day Nursery Start Smart 4 Children at Ft. Harrison; Myrine Callihan, property manager at the Major General Emmett J. Bean Federal Center at Ft. Harrison; and Patty Fisher, Director of Center Adminstration, Day Nursery Association.

Day Nursery families enjoy family night at The Children’s Museum

Day Nursery families from all seven centers turned out in force for Target Free Family Night at the Indianapolis Children’s Museum.  Here’s a look at some of the families and sights we saw tonight. Thanks to Patty Fisher, our Director of  Center Administration for coordinating the preparation of over 350 sack dinners and to our center staff for assembling them.  Hope you had fun!

Day Nursery Indianapolis celebrates Week of the Young Child

All 7 of our Day Nursery locations are taking part in the national celebration of the Week of the Young Child.  We will wrap up the week with 143 of our teachers attending the Indiana Association for the Education of Young Childrenconference at the Indiana Convention Center on Saturday.

In most centers teachers set out special activities in the hallway outside their rooms for parents to do with their children at pick up time. It’s our version of “stopping to smell the roses”—spending a few quality moments in a learning activity with your child–nothing better than that.

Parent and child activity at the Federal Center

The kindergarten class at Day Nursery Northwest had a special guest reader--their teacher Mrs. Robin's mom.

Royalty Day at Day Nursery Northwest, the children made their own crowns and dressed up as Princesses and Princes.

Dress as your favorite book character day at Day Nursery Federal Center

Ms. Nina won the Federal Center staff competition for the most creative book character as the Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly!