Day Nursery of Abilene

Since established in the early 1970s, the mission of the Day Nursery of Abilene is to provideaffordable quality child care for a diverse community. The Day Nursery operates four child care centers with a total licensing capacity of more than 600 children (birth 10 years) of 400 working families. The centers are state-licensed and participants in the States quality rating and improvement system, Texas Rising Star (TRS) for quality child care programs, at a four-star level. TRS requires periodic reassessments and in-depth evaluation. The agency also participates in the States child care subsidy program (Child Care Services) to provide reduced fee child care assistance to meet the needs of low-income working families. The Day Nursery of Abilene is also a partner agency of the United Way of Abilene which it has been since inception. It receives community investment funds used to provide child care financial assistance for families in need who dont qualify for state-funded assistance or are on that waiting list. Programming includes a research-based learning curriculum to meet the developmental needs of all children, including infants. The centers provide a hands-on learning program, activities (including field trips) and materials. In addition, nutritional meals and snacks (including baby food and formula) for all enrolled children are provided to assure nutritional needs are met while in care. Fees charged are all inclusive. A school readiness/PreK program is provided for preschool age children to ensure they are appropriately prepared for school success and beyond. After school programming for elementary age children includes transportation from nine schools for the convenience of parents who use the service. Summer camps and full day child care programming are made available during school breaks and holidays to meet the needs of working parents whose children require full day programming. This additional service provides a fun, supervised program for elementary age children. One of the many highlights during the 2022 year was the remodeling of the Cedar Street Center, the result of the boards first capital campaign (early 1990s) and center built from the ground up. It opened in August 1993. Funding for the remodel was provided from the earnings of an established endowment fund for the Day Nursery of Abilene in the early 2000s.