1993 - 2000: Setting Trends in Child Care Services Part 2

The years 1993 and 1994 were ones of significant change and growth for Day Nursery. Infant care was introduced at Day Nursery - Wiles Center, reducing capacity to 160. Plans were drawn and construction completed for a new state-of-the-art child care center in Plainfield. This $2.4 million joint venture by PSI Energy, the town of Plainfield, and Day Nursery yielded the Day Nursery - Community Child Care Center at 110 Dan Jones Road in Plainfield. The center opened in September 1994, and the capacity was increased to 160 children, ages infant to eight.

During 1993 - 1995, Day Nursery conducted a capital campaign to procure funds needed for an extensive renovation of the Day Nursery - Lilly Center. The most visible changes included razing the prefabricated classroom building and replacing it with two new classrooms attached to the center, providing new furniture and equipment, and constructing and equipping a new playground.

During 1994 and 1995, all Day Nursery playgrounds were replaced or upgraded.

Between 1993 and 1996, all Day Nursery centers received national accreditation by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Achieving and maintaining accreditation is a distinction shared by only 10% of child care centers nationwide.

In 1993, Day Nursery initiated an ongoing, professional fundraising program to increase public financial support. And in another effort to increase its financial strength, in 1995, Day Nursery began marketing Corporate Child Care Answers (CCCA) to employers as an employee benefit. Employers find this a cost-effective way to meet many employees' child care concerns. Day Nursery benefits financially through contracting with employers to provide them with child care resources, referrals and expertise.

In 1998, Day Nursery won the contract for operation of the child care center at the State Government Center. Day Nursery - State Center, whose capacity is 135 children, brings the total of Day Nurseries to seven, serving more than 750 children daily.