Day Nursery Indianapolis names new President & CEO

Ted Maple, Ph.D.

Indianapolis – The  board of directors of Day Nursery Association of Indianapolis, Inc. is pleased to announce the appointment of Ted Maple, Ph.D. as the President and CEO. He will succeed Carolyn M. Dederer who will retire August 2 after 15 years with the organization.

Maple comes to Day Nursery from United Way of Central Indiana where he led United Way’s education priority with a focus on early childhood and school-age initiatives.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of Indianapolis, a master’s degree in Elementary Education from Butler University and his Ph.D., in, Early Childhood Education from Ball State University.

Carolyn Dederer welcomed Dr. Ted Maple to his new office at Day Nursery this morning. They will work together for three weeks until Carolyn officially retires on August 2.

He began his career in education as a kindergarten and first grade teacher in Pike Township. Following his time in the public schools, he served as Director of the Early Childhood Program at St. Mary’s Child Center where he led the nationally-accredited early childhood program for 200 at-risk preschoolers at two locations in Indianapolis. In 2005, Maple’s career in early childhood took a different turn, when he was selected as United Way’s Director of Success By 6. In this role, over more than eight years, he crafted United Way’s early childhood agenda that included programs, policy advocacy and community engagement. In 2012, he was promoted to Director of Education to oversee United Way’s two education priorities: children entering school ready to learn, and performing on grade level by sixth grade.

He lives with his wife and three children on the northeast side of Indianapolis.

ABOUT DAY NURSERY:
Day Nursery Association is the oldest and largest non-profit provider of early care and education in central Indiana. Founded in 1899, the agency has been educating the youngest children of Indianapolis for over 100 years. Serving more than 1,350 children annually ages six weeks to six years old in 7 locations in Marion and Hendricks County, Day Nursery believes that all children, regardless of a family’s income, should have access to the highest quality of care. Day Nursery is a United Way agency.

Too Cute Tuesday: Day Nursery Hendricks County

It is “Too Cute Tuesday!” Check out these adorable students we visited this morning at the Day Nursery Hendricks County Early Care and Education Center in Avon.

Day Nursery toddlers explore 5 senses through ketchup

The toddlers at the Day Nursery Hendricks County Early Care and Education Center are exploring the color red this week.  Here are a few pictures of them  “painting” with ketchup.  Activities like these are planned as links to the foundations of the Indiana Academic Standards for Young Children (Science-using 5 senses to learn about the environment and Visual Arts-delight in the touch and feel of materials rather than what is being produced).

Day Nursery Hendricks County center renews NAEYC accreditation

Congratulations to the staff of our Day Nursery Hendricks County Early Care & Education Center in Avon for marching through the NAEYC re-accreditation process with flying colors!

Quality child care matters and NAEYC accredited centers are the Right Choice for Kids! We are proud that all 7 Day Nursery centers have achieved this important status.

Visit the NAEYC For Families page for learning and development tips, resources for parents and music and activities for you to share with your child.

Day Nursery students stay active in cold weather

When the  wind chill keeps us from going outside, our teachers have lots of ways to keep the children active.  We caught this picture last week as these Day Nursery Hendricks County preschoolers wheeled around Mr. Matt’s classroom.

Colts Blue Friday

Our Avon Center cook is a good sport! Mr. Darius, who usually cheers for Houston or Dallas, is ready for Colts Blue Friday today thanks to his wardrobe consultant, Center Director Joy McCall.

Day Nursery Avon Center preschoolers enjoy dramatic play

Students in preschool 4 at Day Nursery in Avon were busy in the Dramatic Play area of their classroom this morning. Dramatic play is central to children’s healthy development and learning during the preschool years.

At Day Nursery our teachers develop their weekly lesson plans based on the interest of their students and guided by the Creative Curriculum®. Every classroom includes an area designed to inspire creative and imaginative play. In the dramatic play area, children break through the restrictions of reality. They pretend to be someone or something different from themselves and make up situations and actions that go along with the role they choose. When children engage in dramatic play they deepen their understanding of the world and develop skills that will serve them throughout their lives.

Day Nursery students participate in statewide tornado drill

This morning at 10:15 we had a statewide tornado drill.  School children all over Indiana filed into hallways, bathrooms and interior rooms to practice what they would do if the siren sounded for real.  We participated at Day Nursery too and I wanted to share some pictures I have already received from Joy McCallthe director of our Avon Early Care and Education Center in Hendricks County.  She was quite proud of how smoothly today’s drill went at her center.  There will be another drill tonight when most families will be at home.  This will be a good opportunity to practice your family plan so your young children will know the safest place for them to be in your home during severe weather.

Ms. Marla kept her two-year old students busy during the tornado drill by showing them the flashlight in her emergency kit. A good classroom emergency box has safety supplies like a small first aid kit as well as books and supplies to keep children occupied and calm during the time they have to be out of the classroom.

The infants were wheeled in their evacuation crib to the resource room which has no windows

The Toddler Two class moved into the staff lounge for their evacuation.

Preschool 3 evacuated to their bathroom when they practiced their safety position by covering their faces.

Blue plus red equals purple

The wind chill made it too cold to go outside on Friday but these toddlers at the Day Nursery Hendricks County Early Care and Education Center in Avon got to play with the snow anyway.  Center Director Joy McCall reported that the color of the week in the Toddler 2 classroom was purple so their teacher added red and blue to the snow in the sensory table and the children mixed the colors to make purple.

Celebrating Kwanzaa at Day Nursery Hendricks County

During a lesson of cultures and celebrations around the world, the two-year olds at Day Nursery in Avon made black-eyed pea salad while learning about Kwanzaa. 

Kwanzaa was created to introduce and reinforce seven basic values of African culture which contribute to building and reinforcing family, community and culture among African-American people as well as Africans throughout the world African community. The celebration lasts from December 26 through January 1.

The children were happy to share their recipe.

Ingredients:
2 15.8 oz black-eyed pea’s, rinsed
1 medium onion, chopped
2 stalks of celery, chopped
1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1/2 bottle balsamic vinaigrette salad dressing
Rinse black eye peas and drain well.  In a large bowl, combine the peas, chopped onion, celery, bell pepper, and salad dressing.  Cover and refrigerate 2 hours before serving.