Programs
We provide early childhood education and care to children who are ages 2 to 6 years old.
We offer:
● Publicly funded preschool (must qualify and space is limited)
● Programs offered year-round, 7 am - 6 pm full day
● Nutritious meals and snacks
It is important for you to be part of your child’s education. We support you through:
● Parent education
● Family events
● Parent Advisory Committee (PAC)
● Tuition assistance
● Local resources and referrals
Our Classrooms
The Day Nursery Approach To Learning
Throughout the year, EACH class studies different topics based on the children's interests. Lesson plans are adjusted to promote a passion for learning. Topics have included community, neighbors, science like the solar system, the oceans, gardening, problem-solving, collaborative social skills, conversation skills, literacy, and number concepts.
Honey Bear Room
Ages 2 years, six months - 3 years, six months
It’s called the terrible 2’s or, is it? We approach this challenge uniquely to find your child's strengths and build them independently. The journey of learning is moving fast for these active learners and their imaginations are growing immensely. Our teachers provide guided care by partnering with the parents to stimulate the next stage of learning interactively and through our play-based model.
Sunshine/Maple Rooms
Ages 3 years, 1 month - 4 years, 1 month
As an active toddler, your world is at the reach of their little fingertips while growing and vastly learning. So we channel their energy into positive learning moments by giving them room to move and explore. Here, toddlers receive plenty of encouragement and guidance toward their individual and emerging milestones.
Garden/Rainbow PreK Rooms
Ages 4 - 5 years, 11 months
These classes are a vital stepping stone to kindergarten success. At The Day Nursery, we are here to educationally help children achieve developmental advances like learning to communicate effectively and build collaborative skills working in a group by using play-based learning.
Cultivating Your Child's Mind
Dramatic Play
The NAEYC has researched the benefits of pretend play extensively. The benefits are early reading, writing skills, and creating stories. The children will also experience social and emotional growth while having fun.
Music & Movement
Children are able to explore physical coordination, collaboration, and effective communication as they sing, dance and move.
Science Center
Activities here focus on animals, plants, and the seasons.
Literacy Center
Children that work on their print awareness, their ability to comprehend stories, and their listening skills.
Writing Center
Through the exploration of rhymes, sounds, and letter recognition and information. Children start to build writing skills.
Art Center
Various art techniques and color concepts help boost creativity, problem-solving, and self-expression.
Block Center
Children develop hand-eye coordination with various shapes and conceptual physical exploration of counting, sorting, and patterning.
Philosophy & Curriculum
The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) defines Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP) as "an approach to teaching grounded in the research on how young children develop and learn and in what is known about effective early education. Its framework is designed to promote young children's optimal learning and development."
DAP is the foundation for all Day Nursery Programs. DAP involves the practice of meeting young children where they are in their development; both as individuals and as part of a group. Teachers are intentional in planning activities each day that are based on child development and an understanding of each child's interests, abilities, needs, and background.
The Day Nursery is a child-centered program, focused on a philosophy that the primary way that young children learn is through play and discovery. Children come to see their own capabilities and explore materials and relationships while simultaneously learning to use their own power of reasoning, creativity, and imagination.
The Day Nursery philosophy draws inspiration from "The Creative Curriculum", a research-based curriculum; as well as several Early Childhood theorists. These theorists include Eric Erikson, Lev Vygotsky, and Jean Piaget.
The Day Nursery is committed to using a variety of strategies that challenge and foster a genuine love of learning and discovery. All our programs offer an integrated approach that is inspired by and aligns with the Illinois Early Learning Standards and the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).
We believe:
* High-quality early childhood programs teach children to think creatively so they may succeed in a complex and ever-changing world.
* Purposeful play is developmentally appropriate and a significant element of any early childhood program.
* Play is a way of learning for children. Every day, we offer structured and unstructured opportunities to play, enabling children to learn at their pace; while encouraging them to make choices and practice individual decision-making.
* Children are viewed as thinkers, reflecting on their world, and gaining knowledge by building on a path of ever-increasing knowledge.
Together, we can inspire every child to reach their potential and gain the tools necessary for a lifetime of school success.
Thanks to Some of Our Community Partners
HELP BY DONATING TODAY
Your support is essential to keep quality early childhood education at The Day Nursery affordable and accessible for all families.
