Children begin learning from birth.
While top-quality care is critical from birth through school age, that care can and should be integrated with comprehensive education, brought together in a model supported by parents, educators and the community.
It sounds simple, but delivering that approach consistently can be incredibly complex and not always easy for families to receive.
Our newly launched, EmBe Education is set to change the way the Sioux Falls region thinks about child care.
This enhanced investment in education programs from birth through school age focuses on development through intentional curriculum, environments and character growth.
“At EmBe, we believe in the power of education to transform lives and communities. Our mission is to provide innovative and inclusive programs that empower children, women and families to reach their fullest potential,” CEO Kerri Tietgen said.
“EmBe Education demonstrates our ongoing commitment to our community, offering vital resources and opportunities for workforce development and wholistic, quality child education and care.”
Think of it as a house, with a foundation that ensures quality, nutrition and a positive work environment for education. That house is supported by parents, community partners, and training and development to ensure teachers are delivering exceptional education. At the peak is curriculum – at EmBe, a multifaceted approach honed by experts and customized for the unique needs of the families and communities served.
“We know that quality child care is a critical need in our community and that there are gaps to address,” Tietgen said. “There’s a need to define what quality care looks like in South Dakota, and EmBe Education can serve as a foundational example for our industry.”
EmBe Education is structured in multiple programs:
- Birth-2: Classrooms that help babies grow in safe, nurturing environments.
- Traditional preschool: A program that promotes play-based learning, with a focus on critical thinking and social emotional development.
- KinderCollege: A long-standing program with an increased emphasis on literacy, play and skill-based learning now including Spanish language and an emphasis on Latin culture.
“It’s important in the context of our community’s conversation around child care to define what quality looks like, and that’s what EmBe Education does,” said Sarah Meagher, Director of Curriculum and Licensing.
“It became clear we had to build on our role as leaders in this field and take a different approach, focused strongly on education, accessibility and sustainability.”
Big picture, why do this? Why develop EmBe Education?
The research is powerful about birth to 5 and how the experiences kids have impact their future. We take that seriously; the goal is to set kids up for success. Education in the early years doesn’t mean a formal curriculum like what we think of in elementary school, but rather play-based approaches that introduce math and literacy. Research shows that the amount of time and intentional interactions our providers have with children will have a massive effect on their future. We know that providing a safe and stable environment has outcomes that affect whether they go to college.
What does the curriculum look like?
We put together a comprehensive framework incorporating South Dakota Early Learner and Head Start guidelines and CDC developmental milestones. At the same time, we realize this can’t be a one-size-fits-all approach, so we trust and respect our teachers to work within this comprehensive framework while tailoring it to the families we’re serving. Our curriculum is repetitive, theme-based, and focuses on play and critical thinking, helping children dive deeper into learning each year.
How would you describe the unique benefits of EmBe Education?
Our character program is generating a lot of interest. It is anchored in four values:
- Curiosity – “I am curious.”
- Generosity – “I am generous.”
- Autonomy – “I am me.”
- Love – “I love you and me.”
We believe this is a powerful system for kids to start their learning journey and lifelong growth. Character development is an essential component to begin at an early age, and we believe each child has an inherent intelligence that deserves respect; we love kids just the way they are and help them do their best every day.
How do other elements of EmBe Education, such as nutrition and enrichment, further differentiate the program?
Proper nutrition is essential for learning, growth and development and ensuring that our kids’ tummies are full. EmBe prioritizes fruits and vegetables, whole grains and lean protein, all compliant with the Child and Adult Care Food Program.
More than meal planning, we consider how children think about food, introducing new flavors and textures and giving children the chance to try things more than once.
Additionally, we have produce beds in the summer and along windowsills, where children get to experiment with planting, harvesting and making recipes with their harvest. What we can’t grow ourselves, we source from local vendors like Renner Corner Meats and Express Produce whenever possible.
How are you keeping EmBe’s programming affordable with this change?
We do an ongoing analysis of our costs but have been able to keep them relatively in line with inflation, which thankfully has come under control, allowing us to make more standard adjustments to tuition. We do offer tuition assistance for families that qualify that can help bridge the gap, and we offer scholarships for instances when those may be needed. So we try and do whatever we can to help with affordability while also offering outstanding quality. Our hope is that with further revenue diversification we can deliver greater savings to families, but that will take support from public-private partners, and we’re committed to continuing to advocate for solutions. In an industry where turnover is 70 percent and a significant cost to a program, we’ve developed systems to attract, retain, support and develop teachers. We have seen turnover rates cut in half as a result of EmBe Education.
Click here to donate to EmBe’s Scholarship Fund.
What does your capacity look like to serve additional families?
There are limited spots left for birth to 2 as well as preschool, and we encourage anyone who is interested to fill out an inquiry form as soon as possible. Click here to learn more.
Do you have openings for more teachers and support staff to join EmBe Education?
We encourage anyone with a passion for early childhood education to reach out and learn more here.