Our Community:

We are a joyful community of inspired teachers, children, and families.

Our school offers a fun, creative, and cozy home-like space in the Ravenswood neighborhood on the north side of Indianapolis (75th and Keystone).

Learning Environment:

Secure Attachments: We believe children learn best when there are secure attachments.

We foster healthy interactions within our daycare community, with families, and promote awareness of protecting and respecting our natural world.      

Play-Based Learning: We understand that children learn and thrive through playful experiences.

Our team is composed of careful observers and thoughtful facilitators who ensure each child is respected,        challenged, and met exactly where they are.

Health and Nutrition:

We recognize that healthy bodies are crucial for healthy minds.

We provide fresh, varied meals and snacks to support this.

Outdoor Exploration:

We spend as much time as possible outdoors.

Our beautiful play yard offers many opportunities for exploration.

We also take walks and visit the neighborhood park/playground.

Indoor Learning Spaces:

Our indoor classrooms provide comfortable, visually pleasing spaces for:

Creating art

Building

Reading books and hearing stories

Dancing and gathering

Having personal space

Preparing meals and cuddling

Experimenting, asking questions, and problem-solving

Resolving conflicts and pretend play

All these activities embody the beauty and wonder of childhood!

Hours of Operation:

Monday - Friday
7:30 AM - 5:30 PM

Closings:

Spring State Conference for Professional Development (a Thursday and Friday in March or April)
Memorial Day
Summer Break (one week in June)
Labor Day
Thanksgiving (Thursday and Friday)
Christmas Week - New Year's Day

The Growing Tree Nursery School

7375 Evanston Ave
Indianapolis, Indiana 46240
502-792-2033

We are a mixed age, child centered, play based program.

Inspiration is taken from Reggio, Waldorf, Montessori, as well as our own playful childhood memories.

We offer a wide variety of open ended materials (loose parts),

as well as some traditional toys and materials for children to freely engage with to foster their own interest and develop their individual skills.
We spend a lot of time outdoors, engaging with nature and open spaces.

Caregivers are present to observe, engage, and challenge children as they explore.

We strive for a comfortable, gentle home and family like feel.

Communications and visits from families are always welcomed.

Through playful experiences, plenty of uninterrupted time,

and thoughtful caregiver engagements, children's minds and bodies develop and grow in outstanding ways.

Tours

Tours are offered, prior to enrollment, for observation and staff introduction.

Payment Information

Once enrolled, payment is due weekly, or bi-weekly, prior to care.
Payment is required regardless of attendance, including holidays and vacations.
Various payment forms are accepted, for your convenience.

Supply Fee

There is a yearly supply fee, due in April.

Withdrawal Policy

Withdraw from the program will require a 30-day notice.
Immediate withdrawal will be implemented in the case of severe misconduct including, but not limited to non-payment, failure to comply with daycare policies, inability to meet the child's needs, providing false information, excessive aggression, or disruptive behavior.

Sibling Discount

A 10% discount is applied to weekly tuition for siblings.
Enrolled families' siblings are prioritized.

Drop Off

Drop off is no earlier than 7:30.
All outside toys and belongings should be left at home.

Pick Up

Pick up is no later than 5:30.
Only authorized people will be allowed to pick up.

Late Fees

There are no late fees. Repeated late pick-ups will be grounds for termination from the program.

Absences

Absences should be reported the day of absence.
There is no specific drop-off time, but notice of unusual drop-off should be communicated to staff.

Parking

Driveway and temporary street parking are available.

Our Schedule

Our schedule is dictated by the individual children in the program at any given time. A typical day will include the following:

Arrival
Breakfast
Free-Play
Morning Activities (art, science, letters, numbers, shapes, fine motor skills, etc)
Morning Large Group Gathering Time
Morning Snack
Art Room Session
Outdoor Time
Diapering and Potty as Needed
Clean Up
Lunchtime
Rest/Nap Time
Afternoon Snack
Stories and Books

Emotional Coaching

Through emotional coaching, we guide children through appropriate behaviors.
Our hard and fast rules are that children may not harm others, themselves, or property.

Behavior Management

Most issues are developmentally appropriate and can be worked through by our caring and qualified staff.
In the event that a child becomes excessively disruptive or violent, every attempt will be made to work with the family before determining that the program is not a good fit.

Discipline Policy

We will never use isolation or physical punishment.

Communication with Families

We primarily communicate with families via text message.
We will send any pertinent information, needed supplies, minor injuries, and the occasional adorable anecdote.
Meetings can be scheduled for more in-depth issues that need to be discussed.

Facebook Group

We have a private Facebook group within the main page where we share weekly photos and community information for clients, families, and former clients.

Health and Safety

All licensing regulations are followed to help ensure the health and safety of the children in our care.

Contagious Illness Notification

In the event of a contagious illness, all families will be notified immediately.

Symptom Policy

In the event of a fever, rash, diarrhea, or vomiting, children are required to stay home until symptoms are gone for 24 hours with no medication.

Injury Reporting

Any minor injuries will be reported and documented to parents via text message.
Emergency medical incidents will be handled as authorized in our parent contract agreement.

Medications

Authorized and labeled medications can be given during daycare hours.

Allergy Accommodations

Most common allergies can be safely accommodated.

Celebrations

We enjoy some simple seasonal and holiday celebrations throughout the year.
We also invite and welcome families to share their cultural and family celebrations, if desired.
Families are welcome to bring treats for birthdays.
Every day is a party at The Growing Tree!
We celebrate each Friday with pizza for lunch and an afternoon "tea" party.

Clothing and Supplies

Children will need to maintain a few extra changes of clothing, properly fitting and weather-appropriate shoes and outerwear.
Bottles and formula or breast milk must be labeled.

Messy Play

Children will get messy! We offer bibs and art smocks, but please send play clothes.
We make our best efforts to clean children up, but there will certainly be some residue of our hands-on learning.

Provided Supplies

The daycare will provide:

Pull-ups for those potty learning

Baby wipes

All meals and snacks

Blankets and pillows

Sippy cups

Rain gear

Diaper ointment

Sunscreen

(If you have special needs or preferences in these supplies, you are welcome to bring your own labeled supplies.)