Civic League Day Nursery

Building on Tradition, Now and into the Future

By Susan Franken

There is a special place where preschool children are gently guided to learn through play, be individuals, and develop to their full potential. With 78 years of caring for our community’s children, Civic League Day Nursery (CLDN) continues to fulfill its mission of providing a safe, nurturing environment while promoting the physical, social, emotional and intellectual development of young children of all cultural and economic backgrounds. At CLDN, children “discover life for themselves.”

A History Built by Women A historical understanding of CLDN requires acknowledging the innovative women whose initiative and compassion for social change, equal opportunity, quality early childhood care and education, led to the CLDN valued in our community today. The Women’s Civic League of Rochester was formally organized in 1887 to address the unmet service needs of a growing community. The result of their foresight is still visible today in familiar community service agencies and programs that were started by or flourished from this league’s support.

In 1926, the Woodworth sisters, former active members, bequeathed a large home to the Civic League. Instead of the intended “rest stop” for visiting women, the Board envisioned a greater use of the home to provide free custodial care to children of working mothers during a time of economic hardship. In 1930, a one-room Day Nursery opened on the main floor of the Woodworth House on West Center Street. Within the humble beginnings of Rochester’s first Day Nursery, a long-standing relationship began with women of the Mayo family. Some were founding members of the volunteer Civic League Board, while others led as directors in the early years of this 120-year tradition. This joint effort and the connection with resourceful volunteers, service agencies, and private donations enabled this distinctive, non-profit child care facility to meet the child care needs of working families. Surpassing State Requirements Early recognition of its “enriched” programs, an integral aspect in CLDN’s philosophy, began in 1958. Professional staff was hired. Their qualifications in education or related fields contributed to implementing services for additional children that exceeded State requirements.

CLDN Milestones: 1961: Established as a model child care program in the state. 1966: Expansion due to increased need for day care in an emergent city. Improvement of education program to include periodic meetings addressing parent concerns. 1975: Original nursery moved to the Balfour House with the cooperation of Mayo Foundation and volunteers. 1988: Second nursery opens on the campus of Rochester Technical College. 1996: Joan Gravett Scholarship Fund established with the Rochester Area Foundation, allowing many children opportunities for quality childcare. 2000: Name change to “The Civic League Day Nursery Board of Rochester” and recognition of men to the Board. 2001: With encouragement from local agencies and parents, students and staff of a former provider form third center in northwest Rochester. 2006: 87 percent of children served meet School Readiness standards.

Their Child Care Experience Since 1930, CLDN has grown from caring for 12 children in a single room to operating three year-round sites with full-day care for children six weeks to six years. Significant is Civic League’s ongoing work with community partners such as the First Steps SEEDS training, assurance that children are prepared today for tomorrow’s learning opportunities. Comments from parents, staff and Board members reflect what generations of families have experienced. “My youngest son experienced a smooth transition from a corporate-day care to the specialized programming he received at CLDN,” says Sarah Pacchetti, current Board president, whose baby daughter will attend when the time comes. “Civic League is in my blood; it will always be a part of my life.” Melissa Frieden, mother of three, says she researched other centers to care for her special-needs daughter and found resistance. “The accommodating, caring staff [at CLDN] is always available to answer questions over and above best day care in town.”

Building for the Future Deb Goretzki, executive director, says CLDN’s goal is to continue to provide high-quality, early education for children of working parents. To do that, it is imperative that a new facility replace the northwest site. A capital campaign fund, “Building on Tradition,” began in 2007 to build a barrier-free building compatible with the center’s philosophy of learning through play and encouraging healthy development through physical activity. “Preparing Today’s Children For a Successful Tomorrow” remains the center’s motto. “Our new child care center will provide a better quality space than the current space while providing care for additional children,” says Mary Ann Olson, director at the northwest site. A majority of Rochester’s children return to the area as adults, she says. “It will help those children to be successful in school and future contributing members of the Rochester community.” g

Civic League Day Nursery, 507-282-5368, www.civicleaguedaynursery.org

Susan Franken’s recent visit to the historic Balfour House proved that the positive educational environment has not changed since her (now grown) children attended.