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. Later, the children will take their imaginative play to the classroom grocery store and role play as shopper and cashier, stocking shelves and counting laminated play money.

 

The high-quality learning resources that make these activities possible were purchased with funds from Early Learning Indiana’s Closing the Gap Advancement Grant and have made an enormous impact on the classroom. “I’m very grateful for the grant money I received. The funds have allowed me to completely transform my existing classroom space and provide many more educational opportunities for the kids,” said Muriel. “Having Early Learning Indiana invest in me lets me invest even more in my kids.”

 

ELI’s Closing the Gap Advancement Grants are designed to support Paths to QUALITY^TM level advancement for providers at Levels 1 and 2. Awardees received $5,000 to use for classroom materials, curriculum, training or staffing hours to cover training that supports advancement. In Muriel’s case, Early Academy Childcare moved from a PTQ Level 2 to a PTQ Level 3, thanks in large part to the resources and curriculum materials purchased with grant funds. Early Academy Childcare is one of few licensed home day cares in Rossville and, as of this September, will offer full-day preschool to children ages 3 and up.

 

“I would not have been able to purchase all of these materials on my own,” Muriel said. “The kids love the play dough station, and it gives them the chance to develop their physical, cognitive, language and social-emotional skills. We use it in so many creative ways — we’ve put everything from slime to cooked noodles in it! The possibilities of imaginative play are endless.”

 

A new storage bookcase in Muriel’s office area neatly displays books, art supplies and educational manipulatives. While not quite as exciting to the preschool set as slime, storage resources purchased with grant funds allow Muriel to repurpose the space for small group activities and ensure that supplies are organized and easily accessible.

 

Most importantly, receiving grant funds made Muriel feel inspired and supported in her work. “I feel confident in my teaching ability, and having the resources to back that up definitely helps with a feeling of excitement for this profession,” she said. “I have worked with kids for more than 25 years and I have a renewed sense of passion in my career as a licensed family child care provider because of this grant. I am happy. Not every child care provider can say that and truly mean it.”

 

Find out more about Early Academy Childcare at earlyacademychildcare.com 

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 comes in. The 13-week program is required of every new Day Early Learning (DEL) team member upon hire and acts as an orientation to the Day Early Learning way. The program utilizes an Explore, Practice, Apply instructional model that combines online instruction with real-time classroom application to build knowledge and skills with the support of a cooperative teacher. Graduates of the program feel connected, capable and confident in the classroom. 

Jada Harris is a CSP success story as one of the original DEL team members to participate in the pilot program when she was an assistant pre-K teacher at Park 100. “My lead teacher encouraged me to take the course. Sometimes as a new teacher you wonder how much you are actually helping in the classroom. The program showed me all the ways I was helping and allowed me to increase my skills in so many areas.”

Jada’s program mentor, Michelle Arboe, provided support and advice along the way. “She was great at checking in on me to make sure I stayed on track,” Jada said. “It was so helpful to work with her to implement the lessons. For example, if I was learning about meal service, I would do the online part, then go into her classroom and shadow her before leading it myself the next time. She would help with coaching and feedback on each skill.”

Michelle’s support continued even after the course. “She keeps an open line of communication. I can go to her with anything in my classroom and get advice,” Jada said. “We have a great relationship.”

A self-described hands-on learner, Jada appreciated the mix of online and real-world lessons in the CSP program and the opportunity to “read it, see it and then actually go do it.” Jada said filming the practice videos could be tricky logistically — “every kid wanted to be in the videos!” — but it offered a unique opportunity to watch herself in action and reflect on areas where she did well and areas that could be improved.

Jada points to parent communication as a key skill she improved from the CSP course. “I always greeted the parents, but I started to be more intentional about connecting with each family in the morning. I’ll ask about the child’s day so far and any concerns and really make a point to build that relationship.”

Last fall, Jada moved into the lead preschool teacher role at Park 100 and says the CSP program was instrumental in ensuring she was equipped to succeed in the new role. Her class of 3- and 4-year-olds never ceases to amaze her with their creativity, imaginations and the funny things they say. Jada enjoys incorporating cooking and baking into the classroom and working on arts and crafts projects with her students.

Jada recently earned her Child Development Associate® (CDA) credential and plans to build those credits toward an associate degree and then a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education. Eventually, she’d like to work as a school leader and impact even more families.

Her advice to new team members embarking on the CSP course? “It can get rough at times, and it can be a struggle to balance everything,” she said. “But keep the goal in mind. You can see your progress in the classroom and that makes it all worth it. I tell new staff that I understand, that I’ve been through it — and that they can do it too.”

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 education, Peggy saw a natural fit between Early Learning Indiana’s philosophy and her own. “Their mission is my mission. I’ve been involved in education my entire life, from playing teacher as a child to actually becoming one as a high school math teacher. Education is the foundation of life, and early education is so important for a child’s success later on,” she said, pointing to studies that show access to high-quality early learning leads to greater academic and lifelong success, reduced rates of incarceration, higher graduation rates, less grade repetition and greater social-emotional wellbeing.

Peggy was instrumental in creating the Day Nursery Auxiliary Scholarship Fund, in collaboration with Early Learning Indiana. The Auxiliary fund is unique in that participants can donate stock or make a qualified contribution from an individual retirement account (IRA), in addition to donating in traditional ways. These options allow a greater range of flexibility and can provide tax incentives to the donor.

The idea for the fund began in 2023, when Peggy wanted to give a $10,000 gift of stock to Early Learning Indiana to be used to assist families with tuition, but realized there wasn’t a scholarship fund established that would allow her to do so. She took her idea to ELI’s development and leadership teams and was pleased to find that all were enthusiastically on board. “I wanted to find a way to directly impact families, and at the same time, this type of donation can have significant tax benefits to the donor,” Peggy said. Tax regulations and investment options can sound intimidating, so Peggy hopes that by sharing her story and promoting the Auxiliary scholarship fund, she can encourage more donors to think about non-traditional contributions.

While the fund is named after the Auxiliary, Peggy emphasizes that anyone can donate. “Any amount is appreciated, and it’s a great way to donate in honor or in memory of a loved one. All funds go directly to families for tuition support.”

Peggy was a longtime middle and high school math teacher in Indianapolis and continued to volunteer as a tutor in her granddaughter’s school after retirement. She loves the hands-on opportunities to engage in classrooms offered through the Auxiliary and spends most of her volunteer time at a Day Early Learning center working with the 3- to 5-year-olds. “During choice time, I’ll join a group of kids and incorporate some educational pieces into their play, talking about shapes, colors and numbers. Mostly, we try to help the teachers however we can!”

Outside of the Auxiliary, Peggy serves on the Board of Directors for the Holliday Park Foundation and chats excitedly about the new nature playground slated for the park. She enjoys gardening and spending time with her two children and three grandchildren.

Peggy hopes the fund continues to grow as more women, in particular, become savvier about investment options, creating a win-win situation for donor and recipient. And while the tax benefits are an added bonus, she says it’s ultimately the investment in early learners that will pay off the most.

“It’s simple — high-quality child care centers cost money, and teachers can’t teach and children can’t learn without support,” Peggy said. “If we can subsidize tuition for families so they can access these programs, we can help give kids the foundation of a great education.”

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: What I remember most is how much the teachers loved and cared for us. All these years later, there are still teachers who have reached out to check on me. Ms. Jill sticks out as a teacher who went above and beyond for us. I am forever grateful for the lasting friendships I made.

 

Caroline: My fondest memories are of the tricycle race before the Indy 500 and being wheeled outside in strollers to watch the St. Patrick’s Day parade. My friendship with Claire and Morgan is definitely the biggest thing I remember from my time at Day Nursery.

Morgan: I have been told a lot of memorable stories from my time there! Apparently, my mom tried to take home the wrong kid one day. We looked so much alike that she snagged either Caroline or Claire and only questioned it when she realized they were wearing a different outfit than what she had put on me that morning. We love to laugh about that story. We also had a great relationship with the two security guards that let us into the parking garage each day. They were always so friendly to the kids in the morning.

 

What makes your friendship special?

Claire: Early in our friendship, it was easy to stay connected because our moms also became friends and got us together often. As we got older and went off to separate schools, we made a point to celebrate birthdays, holidays and graduations together. Caroline was the best at keeping the three of us together. She always had the most elaborate birthday parties so there are many fun memories there. The beauty of our friendship is that no matter how long we are apart, we are always able to pick right back up where we left off.

 

Caroline: The most special thing about our friendship is how deeply rooted it is; we’ve been part of each other’s lives for almost 24 years. We have the kind of friendship that stands the test of time. They’ve known me at every stage of life, which is very rare. We have a connectedness that is not easily explained or described. I couldn’t imagine my life without them.

 

We’ve shared so many great memories over the years. I distinctly remember in high school when I was able to see Morgan at a cross country meet and then attend a Notre Dame football game with Claire the same day. Time together at that point in our lives was rare, so it was special to see them both on the same day. Now when we get together, we usually go out to lunch or dinner and catch up on each other’s lives.

 

Morgan: Our moms took us to shows and lunches together, set us up on play dates, coordinated birthday parties and sleepovers and summer camps. We had a lot of fun traditions like making gingerbread houses at Christmas. Even though we went off to different colleges far apart from each other and now live in different parts of the state, we have continued to call and text each other and get together a few times a year. I loved reflecting on my life with my two friends from birth. Not a lot of people have that, so I feel very lucky to have Caroline and Claire.

 

Claire graduated from Marietta College with a degree in political science then returned to her hometown of Fishers. She is currently substitute teaching and enjoying the flexibility to travel and explore, including a solo trip to Hong Kong in 2023. Morgan lives in Lafayette and is studying veterinary medicine at the Purdue College of Veterinary Medicine, preparing to enter her clinical year. Caroline earned a degree in early education from St. Mary’s College and currently lives in Indianapolis, teaching second grade at her alma mater, Little Flower Catholic School.

 

According to Morgan, the triplet friendship was meant to be. “We are three very different people who probably would not have found each other if it weren’t for the Day Early Learning center, and now we are friends for life. We were all born exactly one month and one day apart. I like to think that our friendship was written in the stars.”