Jasmine Stewart, lead infant teacher at Day Early Learning Center for Infants and Toddlers, has a quick answer when asked what makes her successful at managing a roomful of infants. “Patience,” she laughs. “Lots and lots of patience and being organized.”  Jasmine was selected as the 2023 Tanner Teacher of the Year, an annual award in recognition of an outstanding Day Early Learning classroom teacher. The award is named after the Gene and Rosemary Tanner Family, long-standing supporters of Early Learning Indiana, in honor of their endowment that supports teacher training and professional d ..read more

Muriel Grigsby’s Early Academy Childcare is buzzing with activity on a rainy afternoon. In one area, children gather around a large sensory table, digging through colorful kinetic sand and using alphabet molds to shape letters. Across the room, two girls are making animals at a mobile play dough station featuring homemade scented dough. Soon it’s circle time and Muriel rolls a large dry erase board to the front of the room to use to help reinforce that day’s learning concept, numeral identification. The class considers pretend food items and decides as a group how much each item should cost ..read more

Classroom support professionals (CSPs) are an integral part of the early learning teaching team. The work they do each day in partnership with the classroom lead teacher — from implementing daily classroom activities and lessons and developing nurturing and engaging relationships with each child to ensuring a safe and ready-to-learn classroom environment — supports children’s growth and development now and for years to come. CSPs play a critical role — but who supports the support professionals? That’s where Early Learning Indiana’s innovative Classroom Support Work-based Learning Program com ..read more

Claire Davis, Morgan Watkins and Caroline Mages can’t remember life without each other. The three women met in the infant room at Day Early Learning Federal Building in 2000, where their similar blonde hair color quickly earned them the nickname ‘the triplets.’ The girls remained Day Early Learning classmates for several years before their paths diverged — but two decades later, their friendship remains. We sat down with them — now at the age of 24 — to talk about their time at Day Early Learning and where they are today.   Favorite memories from your time at Day Early Learning? Claire ..read more

A search for a new volunteer opportunity paved the way for a scholarship fund for early learners, thanks to the work of one Day Nursery Auxiliary member.   Peggy Reising has been a member of the Auxiliary for two years, joining at a neighbor’s suggestion while seeking new opportunities to volunteer post-COVID. The Day Nursery Auxiliary is a group of more than 150 members who support Early Learning Indiana’s programs by raising money, providing volunteer services and serving as community ambassadors for high-quality early learning.   A strong proponent of the value of lifelong educat ..read more

Are you considering a Child Development degree? Look no further for valuable insights into the diverse and rewarding career paths it can lead you to. Discover the variety of fulfilling roles for those who are dedicated to shaping the lives of young children. From educators to child care operations managers, from child life specialists to family engagement experts, your future in child development is bright and rewarding. What Jobs Can You Pursue With a Child Development Degree? A Child Development degree equips you with a strong foundation to make a significant impact on individual lives and c ..read more

A group of dedicated volunteers from the Rotary Club of Indianapolis’ Environment and Beautification Committee came together for a service project day to enhance the natural playground environment of our Day Early Learning Lilly Family Center. Joining them were volunteers from Early Learning Indiana’s statewide team, Day Nursery Auxiliary and students from the University of Indianapolis. We also had team members, friends and families from the center pitch-in. Projects included mulching, weeding, planting – flowers, vegetables, and a new tree – along with installing a new border around a play ..read more

In recognition of PNC Great Month and Grow Up Great initiative, special visitors from PNC visited our centers all throughout the month of April, reading to children and touring spaces. Jason Eckerle, regional president, central & southern Indiana, PNC Bank, helped us kick things off by visiting our Day Early Learning Lilly Family Center and reading to a group of very interested students. Our thanks to PNC for all of their support ..read more

Early Learning Indiana is partnering with Volunteers of America (VOA) to open a Day Early Learning microsite. Day Early Learning at Theodora House will support mothers — in recovery from opioid and other addictions — with access to high-quality early care and learning for their young children while in the VOA’s Fresh Start Recovery Center residential treatment program.    The Fresh Start treatment program uniquely allows children of mothers with substance use disorders to reside with their mother during her treatment. According to data from The Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Report ..read more

We are excited to announce a budding new partnership with the area-based Indy Book Project. Indy Book Project was a top sponsor of our 4th annual Day of Impact, gifting more than 1,600 free books to give away to our children and families that day, plus one for a sibling. What’s more, Indy Book Project will be routinely filling the shelves of the lending libraries at each of our 11 Day Early Learning centers with new and gently used, age-appropriate books. “The Indy Book Project is honored to partner with Early Learning Indiana to provide books for their centers and the families they serve. We ..read more