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Let's learn about bees from Peter the Bee Keeper United Way Reading event at Civic League Day Nursery March 2nd was Read Across America Day. We had a special guest, President of United Way, read Dr. Seuss books to the children. The children loved his costume, story and gift of books. ​ ​ Elsa visits Civic League Our children were enchanted today at Civic League when Elsa came for a visit. The muscle room was filled with song, giggles and special memories as Elsa read a story and greeted everyone with smiles and farewell hugs. ​ ​ Active bodies mean active minds. Music to enrich the soul.

Farm Photos Gallery Civic League Day Nursery participated at a local morning at the Farm. They were delighted to shuck corn,feed the chickens, horses and fawns. ​ All photos were taken and provided by Marie Ferguson at DM Creative Design.

It was "RAD" visiting the RAD Zoo!!! Our children recently visited the RAD Zoo in Owatonna, MN. Boarding a bus and traveling to surrounding local communities, Civic League Children have opportunities to learn about these unique reptiles and get close enough to exotic creatures. Many thanks to The RAD Zoo for another great learning adventure. For more information about the RAD please visit http://www.theradzoo.com/ ​ All photos were taken and provided by Marie Ferguson at DM Creative Design.

HIGHLIGHTS at Civic League WALTER BALFOUR visits CIVIC LEAGUE DAY NURSERY VISIT RENOVATION at CIVIC LEAGUE DAY NURSERY VISIT IN THE MEDIA with CIVIC LEAGUE DAY NURSERY VISIT On September 10, 2018, Walter Balfour visited his childhood home. During his visit he recalled and shared fond memories throughout the house we now call our home, Civic League Day Nursery. Balfor I have many fond memories of my family growing up in this home. Walter Balfour Renovation It is with great pleasure and excitement that we are nearing the completion of our commencement of our exterior façade repair and “facelift”. Ohnstad Custom Works begin on August 7, 2017 with scaffolding delivered before that. Their staff, trucks and equipment have been around like busy bees working on the weekends to push this project along admist inclement weather. With work starting on the rear courtyard side of the house, we will have to get creative. We have marked off play space areas for the kiddos. We are grateful for our large exterior play space as our teachers have been flexible to allow the workers to do their job safely and keep the children safe while at play. When needed we utilize our interior place space "the Muscle Room". ​ We look forward to many changes to come including our Growing garden area and lower play yard space. ​ Thank you for your patience, it will be beautiful in the end. In the Media IN THE MEDIA June 29, 2022 ​ Thunderous Storm takes out beloved tree and causes damage to surrounding neighborhood. ​ KTTC News Clip October 11, 2021 ​ Civic League Celebrates Mayo Heritage days with Community Wide Open House. ​ KTTC News Clip GATHER PRODUCE July 2, 2020 ​ Civic League changes long standing tradition for their 4th of July Parade. ​ KTTC News Clip CELEBRATING 40 YEARS SHARE YOUR LOVE FOR CLDN Jul 24, 2017 ​ Children help gather produce recently at the Civic League Day Nursery garden in Rochester, where gardening is used as a learning tool and as part of the daily meal plan. ​ POST BULLETIN May 8, 2017 ​ For Teachers Appreciation Week we share the love with two Rochester Preschool Teachers from Civic League Day Nursery. ​ KROC Aug 17, 2016 ​ This month, two teachers at Civic League Day Nursery are celebrating 40 years in teaching. That's four decades with young learners at the oldest nursery school in Rochester. ​ POST BULLETIN Feb. 13, 2016 ​ Civic League hosts Share your Love, a fundraiser gala with Trolley ride and historic tour of the home. Hosted at Cambria this event was a success for current families and aluminis of Civic League to "Share their Love!" ​ POST BULLETIN

Garden of Growing Highlights from our Summer 2017 Garden of Growing. A Garden built by our families and members of the board. Allowing our children to learn about the food they eat and the earth that provides it. ​ All photos were taken and provided by Marie Ferguson at DM Creative Design.

PART 2 - THE MOVEMENT In 1926, the Civic League inherited a large house through the Will of the Woodworth sisters, who had been active Civic League members. The property was located in the 400 block of West Center Street. Although the Will mentioned the possibility of the House becoming a "rest stop" for women shopping in the city, members of the Civic League Board felt there was a greater need to provide free custodial care for children of working mothers. After considerable study and planning, a Day Nursery was opened in 1930. It occupied only one room on the main floor of the Woodworth House. The permit issued by the State Board of Control, stated that not more than 12 children, ages 2 to 5 years of age, where to be present at any given time. Hours were 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. six days a week. The custodial care included the giving of orange juice and cod liver oil morning, morning and afternoon snacks, noon lunch followed by a nap, and supervised free play. In its earliest years, volunteers and one employee, a "matron", staffed the Nursery. She was responsible for the operation of the entire building, then referred to as the Woodworth Clubhouse. The upstairs rooms were rented to single women, primarily Methodist Hospital nurses. This rent money combined with interest from bonds that were part of the Woodworth inheritance financed utilities, building renovations and maintenance. Operational costs of the nursery were raised by community subscriptions and private donations. Each Civic League Board member was given a list of names from which she collected monthly contributions. The Kiwanis Club provided milk for the nursery through a series of fund-raising events. They also provided funds for a fence to enclose the play yard. It soon became evident that more help was required. A housekeeper was added to the Clubhouse in addition to the Nursery matron in order to be in compliance with the State Labor and Day Nursery laws. In 1933, the Nursery Committee of the Women's Civic League established an account for the Day Nursery funds separate from the Women's Civic League. At that time, the only financial support from the League for the nursery project was the provision of space, without charge, in the Woodward Clubhouse. In 1940, the program still had a staff of only two and the daily fee ranged from five cents to forty-five cents, depending upon the mother's ability to pay. The Family Service Office screened all applicants, a practice that continued until 1973. A grant allocation of $I,500 in 1941 from the Community Chest, marked the end to the eleven years of monthly pledge collection by the Civic League Board members for the financial support of the Nursery. In 1945, the Day Nursery expanded by adding the use of a second room and enlarging the bathroom. This allowed the program to be licensed for 20 children, ages 3 to 5. By 1947, with a staff expanded to four, the Community Chest grant had climbed to $3,445. The sliding fee income totaled $1,796. The daily fee ranged from ten cents to a dollar. The average daily cost of operation was calculated at 95.25 cents per child. About 1958, the concept of providing only custodial care for children in day care was deemed inappropriate and the requirements for State Licensing Standards were raised. The Civic League responded by starting the practice of hiring directors and head teachers who were professionally qualified in education or related fields. A licensed, modern, well-staffed day care center evolved which offered an enriched child-care a program. Many community resource individuals helped considerably in fulfilling this endeavor. By 1960, the staff consisted of the Director, two Head Teachers, two Assistants, a Cook and a Janitor. The teacher child ratio was 1 to 10. The financial situation was somewhat eased by the Nursery being accepted into the Agricultural Food Surplus Program. Also in 1960, the Civic League was successful in obtaining a $3,000 grant from the Rochester Area Foundation to establish a Homemakers Service. Records refer to the "carefully selected" women who were employed to help families when an emergency took a mother away from the home. The service was provided only on a temporary basis during daytime hours when "the father of the family was at work". Employees were retained on the job until the United Way fund support made it possible to employ the homemakers on a salaried basis. 1962 and 1963 was a period of self-evaluation for the Civic League. The Board voted to undertake an analytical study of the organization, its policies, its functions and the contributions of its various services to the community. An outgrowth of this action was a two-year joint planning effort with other local service agencies resulting in the closing of the Family Service Office and the establishment of the Family Consultation Center. This was later known as Family Counseling and Home Services, Inc. The director of the new agency was assigned the responsibility of working with families experiencing problems as a result of "child behavior or material misunderstanding". A social worker on the Family Consultation Center staff assumed the responsibility for interviewing the families who wished to enroll their children at the Nursery, a job previously handled through the Family Service Office. This new agency also assumed responsibility for the Civic League Homemaker Service project. Of the many programs introduced and developed by the Civic League Board of Directors since 1887, only the Day Nursery retained the sponsorship of Civic League. In the meantime, the Civic League Day Nursery was becoming well known in the community and the state as a model program for child day care. The analytical study reported, "The service has had enthusiastic acceptance by its users, and was considered to be one of the best day care centers in the state in 1961." The Nursery participated in the Minnesota Preschool Education Association workshop, held in Rochester in 1961. An open house was held for over 80 teachers that attended. In the summer of 1963, and again in 1964, the Minnesota Department of Public Welfare sponsored a weeklong state workshop in Rochester. The Civic League Day Nursery staff was asked to be presenters. Participants were also scheduled to visit and observe the Civic League Day Nursery's home-like day care facility and exemplary program. As a growing need for day care was recognized, another eventual result of the analytical study was the expansion of the Day Nursery to accommodate 38 children. In 1966, the Civic League ceased renting the upstairs rooms in the Woodworth House making that area available for children. The professionally trained staff continued to offer an enriched program that endeavored to meet children's needs in all areas of development. Parenting support was offered through periodic meetings dealing with behavior problems and other concerns. The staff included a director, two head teachers, four assistant teachers, four part-time helpers, a janitor, a cleaning woman, a cook and an assistant cook, who also served as housekeeper. The Civic League Day Nursery continued to be rated among the top day care centers of the state. An After-School Childcare project was piloted in 1966 and 1967. Encouragement and financial support came from the United Fund, the Rochester branch of the American Association of University Women and the West Side Kiwanis Club. When participation fell below expectations, the project was discontinued. It was not until 1974 that the Civic League again ventured into after-school care. At that time a $1,000 state grant was secured to provide start-up funds for a year-round program for kindergarten age children. It was housed in the First Presbyterian Church, which expanded care from 9 children to 17 in September, 1974.

It is with great pleasure and excitement that we announce the commencement of our exterior façade repair and “facelift”. Ohnstad Custom Works begin on August 7 with scaffolding being delivered before that. Their staff, trucks and equipment have been around like busy bees working on the weekends to push this project along admist inclement weather. With work starting on the rear courtyard side of the house, we will have to get creative. We have marked off play space areas for the kiddos. We are grateful for our large exterior play space as our teachers have been flexible to allow the workers to do their job safely and keep the children safe while at play. When needed we utilize our interior place space "the Muscle Room". ​ Thank you for your patience, it will be beautiful in the end.

Garden of Growing Highlights from our Summer 2016 Garden of Growing. A Garden build by our families and members of the board. Allowing our children to learn about the food they eat and the earth that provides it. ​ All photos were taken and provided by Marie Ferguson at DM Creative Design.

JOIN US For an evening of history, a Trolley Tour, Live Music and festivities. A toast to Civic League Day Nursery celebrating 86 years in dedication to our mission. Join us for a special event to celebrate our love of Civic League Day Nursery. The evening will begin at Cambria Gallery in downtown Rochester with delicious appetizers, delightful drinks, and wonderful live music. After enjoying a nibble and a drink, hop on the trolley for a ride to the historic Balfour House, home to Civic League Day Nursery. Once there, you’ll enjoy a champagne tour through this very special home. You will learn about its unique history and how it has transformed to a community treasure. After the tour, you’ll head back to Cambria for more food, festivities and fun! We hope you’ll consider “Sharing Your Love” with us! Share Your Love Radio Ad - Jackie Benoit-Petrich 00:00 00:00 BEGINS AT: 6:00 pm TICKETS: $75 per person or $130 per couple HELD AT: Cambria Gallery 400 S. Broadway #105 Rochester, MN 55904 FEATURING: Sontes Catering Rochester Trolley & Tour Co. ​ LIVE MUSIC FEATURING: Paul Scott, Brandon Sampson & Heather Ritenour-Sampson Unable to Join us at Share Your Love? ​ We're sorry you can't make it. If you wish to make a donation or sponsor a teacher to attend the event, please select “Donate” below and you will be redirected to our PayPal site. Join us at Share Your Love ! ​ We're excited you're coming. Select Register now and you will be directed to our Eventbrite Page for full registration. Service Fees apply. ​ Purchased tickets are transferable but non-refundable. 2016 Post Bulletin Coverage Have Questions regarding our Share your Love event and want to find out more? ​ ​ Please call Jackie at 507-282-5368 or email her directly. ​ Success! Message received. Send CIVIC LEAGUE DAY NURSERY IS A NON PROFIT 501 (C)(3) AND ALL PROCEEDS BENEFIT CLDN​

We Are ​ PARENT AWARE AWARDED LEARN MORE A little about us. Civic League Day Nursery has a rich, 90+ year history that's rooted in the heart of Rochester. Today it's located in the historic Balfour House, just a few blocks from Mayo Clinic. To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key. The children and families who make up Civic League come from diverse economic, religious and ethnic backgrounds, reflecting the greater community and its depth of culture and inclusivity. We also connect with the community through various community agencies. We value the time your child spends with us each day. We offer low child-to-staff ratios to ensure each child has space to learn and grow. Our teachers have decades of experience and are specially trained to meet the needs of each child we serve. We divide our classrooms into similar age groups to ensure developmental and age-appropriate learning at every stage. We offer: Reggi o and M ontessori classroom environments invite responsive teaching to the unique needs of a child. ​ A convenient Rochester location ​ Large nature based play yards with planned green space and gardens Hours that meet the needs of working parents ​ ​ Safe indoor and outdoor play scapes that both ignites and challenges each child's development Well-rounded meals and snacks that meet Minnesota Food Program guidelines ​ Healthy nutritious meals preprepared by our on-site cook with supplemented by local organic and seasonal produce from our own gardens Whole Child Education which identifies goals in all areas of development, including social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development ​ ​ ​ Field trips and activities that encourage children to become lively and creative explorers ​​ ​

Civic League visits Oxbow Park ​ Our children enjoyed a morning out at Oxbow Park exploring the world around them. Climbing, Seeing, Sensing and smiling all along the way. ​ All photos were taken and provided by Marie Ferguson at DM Creative Design.

A Day at Civic League Ever wonder what a day at Civic League Day Nursery looks like? From morning till noon our children are busy exploring, learning, discovering and growing through each of their experiences. ​ This is a splash of experiences your child will participate in while at CLDN. From picking garden fresh vegetables, shucking the corn and eating garden fresh produce to our historic engaging learning atmosphere, take a stroll through their day to see what they are upto. ​ More images are shared intermittently on our Public Facebook page. ​ Smiles from the archives CLDN Kids Day-7 Painted Feet CLDN Kids Day-21 I wanna be a... CLDN Kids Day-42 Art hanging around CLDN Kids Day-40 Colorful Feet CLDN Kids Day-33 Art CLDN Kids Day-28 Having Fun Science play at Civic league Rocks and playdough exploring textures. Guppy room color mixing a great science experiment for the pre-schoolers to learn about colors. Hanging around We love the active play in the big yard Say Hi Greetings from the preschool yard Hold on tight Active play for the big kids promotes learning Greetings Two new friends A quick smile just before the slide Outside play on slide CLDN, Rochester MN Civic League Day Nursery Day Care Child Care Center, Copyright, 2015 Active play outside Enjoying the summer with Staff at Civic League CLDN, Rochester MN Child Care Center, Copyright, 2015 Love to read At Civic League CLDN, Rochester MN Child Care Center, Copyright, 2015 Following Instructions At Civic League CLDN, Rochester MN Child Care Center, Copyright, 2015 Come play with us At Civic League CLDN, Rochester MN Child Care Center, Copyright, 2015 Sliding Time in the Toddler Lot At Civic League CLDN, Rochester MN Child Care Center, Copyright, 2015 How I count and play At Civic League CLDN, Rochester MN Child Care Center, Copyright, 2015 What's this? At Civic League CLDN, Rochester MN Child Care Center, Copyright, 2015 So happy to be here At Civic League CLDN, Rochester MN Child Care Center, Copyright, 2015 Exploring, what's here? At Civic League CLDN, Rochester MN Child Care Center, Copyright, 2015 Matching my cards At Civic League CLDN, Rochester MN Day Care Center, Copyright, 2015 Look at what I have At Civic League CLDN, Rochester MN Day Care Center, Copyright, 2015 Amazing Friends At Civic League CLDN, Rochester MN Day Care Center, Copyright, 2015 Bubbles outside At Civic League CLDN, Rochester MN Day Care Center, Copyright, 2015 This is neat! At Civic League CLDN, Rochester MN Child Care Center, Copyright, 2015 Down the slide At Civic League CLDN, Rochester MN Child Care Center, Copyright, 2015 Large play yard Sand Box At Civic League CLDN, Rochester MN Day Care Center, Copyright, 2015 Let's build something At Civic League CLDN, Rochester MN Child Care Center, Copyright, 2015 See what I have? At Civic League CLDN, Rochester MN Child Care Center, Copyright, 2015