Day Early Learning is a program of Early Learning Indiana. We’re dedicated to providing the highest-quality early care and education for your child from infancy to pre-K in 8 Indianapolis area centers and two centers on the campus of Purdue University. We’re committed to the highest-quality care and education that equips children with essential skills. We partner with families to help develop these skills and ensure children are ready to take on the world of kindergarten and beyond.
General Info:
Address: 8 Indianapolis & 2 West Lafayette Locations
Phone: 317-636-9197 x344
Website: https://dayearlylearning.org/
Q&A with Day Early Learning:
What makes Day Early Learning unique?
At Day Early Learning, we take a holistic approach to your child’s care and education.
Everything we do is aimed at nurturing each child’s social, emotional and educational needs. Our ultimate goal is not only to prepare your child for kindergarten, but also to inspire a lifelong learning journey.
And that’s exactly what learning is at our centers—a journey. Your child will be an active participant in their education, spending time both in enriching classrooms and outdoors exploring the world. Each Day Early learning student gains knowledge through hands-on experiences that spark playful curiosity and meaningful growth.
We will ensure that your child learns at a level that is appropriate for his or her age and development. Each classroom is staffed with a lead teacher, a teaching assistant and a staff-to-child ratio that ensures a great deal of one-on-one attention.
Well-educated and trained teachers ensure that your child will be in the best hands possible. Our staff benefit from ongoing professional development, support for additional degree attainment and classroom coaching. And our curriculum is aligned with the early childhood Foundations laid out by the Indiana Department of Education.
What is Day Early Learning’s age/grade range?
6 weeks – 6 years old
What is your enrollment policy? Are there any key dates parents should be aware of?
To learn more about our enrollment policy, call 317-636-9197 x344.
What are the standard school day hours? Does Day Early Learning offer flexible day/hour options? Is before/after school care available?
Hours vary depending on the location but most of our centers are open 7 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Our IU Health location is open until 6:30 p.m. and both West Lafayette location are open until 6 p.m.
What is the teacher/child ratio?
To ensure each child receives a great deal of individual attention, and in accordance with Indiana licensing requirements, Day Early Learning’s teacher-to-child ratios are:
0-12 Months: 1 teacher to 4 children
12-30 Months: 1 teacher to 5 children
30-36 Months: 1 teacher to 7 children
3 Years Old: 1 teacher to 10 children
4 Years Old: 1 teacher to 12 children
5+ Years Old: 1 teacher to 15 children
What are the teacher’s credentials?
Well-educated and trained teachers ensure that your child will be in the best hands possible. Our staff benefit from ongoing professional development, support for additional degree attainment and classroom coaching.
How do teachers communicate with parents? How often do parents receive updates?
You are your child’s first and most important teacher. You are always welcome here. Feel free to visit the center and participate in special programs and activities. Your participation is important to your child’s success.
We strive to create an open and continuous communication system that is timely and informative. We communicate with you in the following ways:
One method of communication is through the use of digital platforms, which parents can access online from a computer or smartphone.
You are encouraged to take time at drop off and pick up to talk with your child’s teachers about your child’s day and address any questions or concerns. This is a great time to collaborate on any challenges you might be experiencing. For a more in-depth meeting, please talk to your school leadership team to set up a time to meet.
You will receive a center newsletter and calendar each month that highlights special events and classroom activities, important news and helpful resources. A copy of this newsletter will be sent to you through email or online communication platform. If you wish, a hard copy is available at your center.
Does Day Early Learning offer support for students with special needs?
Day Early Learning works with families that have an Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) or Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and any other individualized plan that addresses specific disabilities or special learning needs. Day Early Learning team members will work with the resource team, including therapists, to ensure the program is meeting your child’s specific need.
Teachers observe children daily and document these observations. This information is used to create lesson plans and to share the child’s progress and development with parents. When special concerns arise, teachers discuss them confidentially with parents in a private area and provide the family with resources and referrals when necessary.
How much time do the children spend outside?
We provide time twice a day for your child to play in an outdoor play environment. Children are required to spend at least 60 minutes outside playing each day — 30 minutes in the morning and 30 minutes in the afternoon per Indiana State Licensing requirements.
If the wind chill temperature is below 25 degrees, the heat index is above 90 degrees or the severity of the weather poses a safety hazard, children will have time for physical activity indoors.
Are meals and/or snacks provided?
Children at Day Early Learning receive a healthy breakfast, lunch and two snacks a day at our centers. Meals are designed to be balanced and include fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains, while limiting the amount of sugars and processed foods. Weekly menus are posted in your center.
Our menus are reviewed by a certified nutritionist, approved by the Indiana Department of Education and meet the Gold Standard from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for Child Nutrition Programs. Additionally, our culinary team members are Serv-Safe certified to ensure food safety.
If your child has special dietary needs due to a medical need or religious or personal preferences, we will work with you to create a healthy meal plan for your child.
Parents can provide lunches for their child as long as it meets the same nutritional requirements that we must follow per State Licensing and CACFP. Day Early Learning can accommodate some special food issues as follows.
Does my child need to be potty-trained?
Potty training is generally introduced in our 2-year-old classroom, depending on the developmental readiness of each child. Teachers work with parents to establish a plan for consistency in training at school and at home. Please feel free to discuss your wishes with your child’s teachers.
What are Day Early Learning’s safety policies? What extra safety measures is your school taking during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Your child’s health and safety is our first priority. Addressing your child’s health needs ensures they can focus on learning.
To prevent the spread of germs, please make sure to wash you and your child’s hands upon entering the classroom each day. Also, please discuss any concerns you may have about your child’s health with your child’s teacher.
Our infant rooms are shoeless environments so please either remove your shoes or cover them with the booties provided outside each room.
Team members will routinely give your child a spot health check to ensure readiness for a day at the center.
Tables are sanitized throughout the day in preparation for meals or classroom activities.
Classroom toys are disinfected nightly. Toys that are soiled or mouthed by children are immediately taken out of use and put into a tub to be cleaned. Diaper changing areas are sanitized before and after each use. Hand washing for all, including team members, children and parents, is practiced and encouraged. Children are taught to wash their hands for at least 20 seconds before and after meals, after toileting, after outside play or before using the water/sensory table.
Who should parents contact for more information about Day Early Learning?
To learn more about Day Early Learning, call 317-636-9197 x344.
