Our Name - "The NurturyŽ" says it all: we are all "nurtured" here - children, parents and teachers. This has become a place to be loved, respected and given the opportunity to learn and grow. Love is spoken here.

Our Dual Licensing - In addition to holding a typical license from the Department of Human Service, we are recognized as a "Private School" by the State Department of Education (presently we have formal preschool and kindergarten only.) This ensures that we have met educational standards as well as safety standards.

A Program for Medina's Children - Our programs are designed to meet the needs of Medina children by our own teachers. We are not a branch or franchise; tuitions paid by parents go directly back into current programming.

Our Director/Owner, Mary Lee Kubasta, has a Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education and over 25 years of experience as teacher and administrator of high quality programs for young children. She is an instructor in Early Childhood Education at Cuyahoga Community College and serves on the college's Early Childhood Education Advisory Committee. Her commitment to the nurturing and education of young children is reflected in The NurturyŽ's various programs and in her support of faculty and parents.

Our Founder, Rosemary Cooksey, established The NurturyŽ in 1977 realizing the fulfillment of her dream to bring a top-quality, college-lab type child development center to an off-campus, community center.

Our Professional Staff - They keenly understand young children; they know how to guide them toward becoming healthy human beings. At present, The NurturyŽ employs 13 teachers degreed in an Early Childhood related field.

Longevity/Reputation - The NurturyŽ is in it's 28th year. There is very little turnover within the faculty; teachers are on annual contracts -- most have been with The NurturyŽ 6 to 14 years, which nourishes the continuity of our program for enrolled families and children.

Safety/Health - Your family will have your own "Color Code" assuring you that only persons you authorize may pick up your child...most classrooms have one-way windows...All new employees must (1) have a criminal record fingerprint check; (2) attend six Nurtury training sessions every year; and (3) take first aid and communicable disease prevention classes.  Our building is professionally cleaned every evening.

Foreign Language (Spanish) - The NurturyŽ's faculty has chosen to respond to uncontested research which states that learning a second language at a young age enhances overall development. Bilingual education stimulates a child's mental development, increases imaginative and abstract thought and promotes flexible thinking.

Art, Music, Gymnastics, Computer Learning - Research unequivocally directs preschools to incorporate these activities into the moment-by-moment curriculum rather than teaching them as "special classes." Our degreed teachers are trained in these subjects; they are included at the very core of the curriculum.

Memories - We cherish childhood. Consequently we equip families with "memory retrievers" that will last a lifetime. For example: photos of birthdays, Halloween, frames for Christmas trees, first-day pictures for full-day children; special books with pictures of friends; Mother's day handprints; dictated thoughts; permanent art treasures.

Mixed-age Grouping for Full-day Children - Full day children between the ages of 3 and 5 are in mixed-age "family groupings," except for their Development classes each morning during the school year. They do not leave their friends, siblings and teachers to change rooms on every birthday. Because we must meet the ratio for the youngest child in the group, this type of program is not cost-effective; but it is CHILD-effective, so we do it!

The NurturyŽ is a model for quality in our profession. Such quality attracts true professionals and parents who are looking for the best for their children. We surpass State standards:

	The NurturyŽ standard	State Standards
Director qualifications	Masters: Early Childhood Education 25 years experience	2 year degree
Teacher qualifications In-Service Education	13 with degrees; 8 college students; 4 high school only; very little turnover - annual contracts 15 hours/year EVERY year	High school diploma only 15 hours/year for 3 years
*Curriculum and Grouping *Teacher/Child Ratio	A.M. during school year: grouped by age for learning program. Introduction to Spanish. 2's = 1:6; 3's = 1:8; 4/5's = 1:9; Mixed age group "home base" (siblings may grow up together!)	"periods of quiet and active play" 2's = 1:8; 3's = 1:12; 4/5's = 1:14
Release/Entry Security system	Every enrolled family has a code; must be given to enter or release or receive info on phone.	none established
*Air quality/Contagion Control Communicable Disease & 1st Aid Training	Air filters that help eliminate contagious elements. Electric heat - no chance of carbon monoxide fumes. Every teacher (renewed every 3 years)	none established 1 person on premises (renewed every 3 years)
Food Service	Kitchen meets all established codes; Food Service Supervisor certified by Health Department.	Kitchen must meet established codes.
Sq.Ft. / child indoors outdoors	53 sq.ft./child 130 - 310 sq.ft/child (fenced)	35 sq.ft./child 65 sq. ft./child (fenced)

* Applies to Full Day Preschool Enrichment Programs. For information on Development Session Curriculum and Ratios, please see "age specific" Development Session Program description or ask for appropriate Program Descriptions on Request Info Form.