Shelby’s Childcare Experience

Shelby Hartung noticed a difference in EmBe’s childcare from the moment she met the downtown location staff.

“Everybody felt like friends. That was the biggest experience we had on our tour.”

Hartung discovered EmBe shortly after moving from Bismarck, North Dakota. She began her search for childcare with Google, and EmBe’s name appeared at the top of the list. After scanning EmBe’s web page, Hartung called to set up a tour. 

On her tour, she met Desiree Wolfe, EmBe’s Downtown Childcare Site Manager. Wolfe led her through the facility, showing Hartung the spaces for learning and play.

Hartung felt an immediate connection to the staff. The staff’s excitement was contagious, she said.

Hartung’s instinct led her to enroll her two children in EmBe’s childcare programs. After just one year of care, Hartung says it was the right decision. 

“They’ve got a great program going on downtown,” Hartung said. “Everybody is like family and the staff genuinely care about the kids. We have nothing but positive things to say.”

Hartung has noticed a significant difference in her kids’ learning and development. “The biggest thing is the social skills,” she said. “They’re learning different things that they wouldn’t necessarily learn at home.”

Her 5-year-old son has even found a new favorite activity: asking questions. 

“He’s excited about school, and I think that’s a testament to the teachers,” she said. “He comes home, and he’s excited about what he’s learned.”

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About EmBeCause Giving Day: EmBeCause Giving Day makes it easy for you to invest in empowering women and families in Sioux Falls and beyond. On Tuesday, July 7, share your empowering stories about why you support EmBe or how EmBe has made a difference in your life, or consider donating.

Share your because with us on social media all day long by using the hashtag #EmBeCause.

Donations made are unrestricted gifts to the annual fund, allowing EmBe to meet its most urgent needs, including program scholarships, technological needs, staff development and facilities improvements. Donations also keep programs affordable and available to anyone who’d like to participate – regardless of ability to pay. Click here to make a donation.