Day Nursery Changing Name
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowA more than century-old early child care provider is changing its name. Day Nursery Association of Indianapolis says the switch to Early Learning Indiana better reflects the organization's educational mission.
September 16, 2014
News Release
Indianapolis, Ind. — Day Nursery Association, Indianapolis' largest and longest standing early care and education provider, is changing its name to Early Learning Indiana. Day Nursery's board of directors voted to change the name to better reflect the organization's educational mission, diverse programming and plans to expand its impact.
“For more than a century, Day Nursery has been known for its commitment to children and families,” said board chair Valerie Erb Tully. “But, the board felt it was time for our name to be more descriptive of what we do now, where we want to go as an organization, and our role in the broader community. We are more than a collection of good day cares. We work in multiple ways to strengthen our community by providing, supporting and promoting high-quality early childhood education.”
The nonprofit, described as “venerable” by some partners, is best known for its 10 early childhood education centers and pre-K partnerships in the Indianapolis area; but its outreach program – Child Care Answers – also provides parent referral and professional development services in six Indiana counties. New collaborations with Goodwill Industries of Central Indiana and two local charter schools, as well as long-running partnerships with Indiana University Health and United Way of Central Indiana, are examples of how Early Learning Indiana maximizes its mission and hopes to expand.
“Partnerships between the public, private and nonprofit sectors are vital to the success of early childhood education in our city and state,” said Ted Maple, President and CEO. “We are witnessing a watershed moment in Indiana. Our Governor, our Mayors, our legislators, United Ways, corporate leaders and businesses, private philanthropists and parents are demanding that we figure this out for families. We have an obligation as a community to give every child the chance they deserve to get the best start in life and in school.”
In the past year, Day Nursery expanded direct services to children, in what will now be called Day Early Learning centers, by opening a new Center for Infants and Toddlers, as well as new pre-K classrooms in Phalen Leadership Academy and Vision Academy. As Early Learning Indiana, the organization plans to greatly expand outreach efforts through Child Care Answers and play a leadership role in securing new resources, partnerships and public policies that improve early care and education from birth to kindergarten.
“Our talented teachers will continue to foster a love of learning every day in our Day Early Learning centers,” Maple explained, “but we can serve many more thousands of children by preparing early childhood professionals for the field, helping to strengthen other early childhood programs, and assisting parents in finding the right fit for their child among the many great options our community has to offer. It will take a collective effort with like-minded partners to educate the thousands of young children in our city and state.”
In recognition of the new name, Mayor Greg Ballard has proclaimed September 16, 2014 “Early Learning Indiana Day.”
Enrollment in Day Early Learning centers for children ages six weeks to six years is ongoing. Child Care Answers, the outreach program of Early Learning Indiana, is ready to assist families and local early childhood programs. More information is available at www.EarlyLearningIndiana.org or by calling 317-636-9197. Early Learning Indiana offices are located at 615 N. Alabama St., Suite 300, Indianapolis, IN 46204.
Source: Early Learning Indiana