Childcare - EmBe

Finding Quality Childcare Amidst Uncertainty: The Van Der Sloot’s Story

Mikena VanLiere2024-06-21T21:35:32-05:00

For the Van Der Sloot family, being confronted with childcare displacement is something they know too well. After news that their previous center was closing, mom Eden recalled it being “scary, frustrating, and hard to drop her boys off every morning and see their friends not be there.” “While we knew the closing was happening, it was scary thinking about what to do and who would now take care of our boys. I called many centers that either had waitlists or could accommodate one child but not the other. Price was another thing that we struggled with. As we [...]

Finding Quality Childcare Amidst Uncertainty: The Van Der Sloot’s StoryMikena VanLiere2024-06-21T21:35:32-05:00

Nurturing Young Minds: EmBe’s Approach to Early Childhood Education

Mikena VanLiere2024-07-03T12:27:59-05:00

At EmBe, we believe in every child's extraordinary potential and see it as our responsibility to guide and support their development. While recognizing parents and guardians as the primary educators, we are honored to complement their efforts by fostering an environment where children can thrive. Our curriculum, a blend of play, inquiry, and spiralized learning, empowers children to drive their own educational journey. In today’s blog, we explore the benefits of these educational strategies within our organization. What is a Spiral Curriculum, and How Does it Benefit Student Learning Over Time? A spiral curriculum is an innovative teaching method where [...]

Nurturing Young Minds: EmBe’s Approach to Early Childhood EducationMikena VanLiere2024-07-03T12:27:59-05:00

Character Development That Lasts a Lifetime

Mikena VanLiere2024-06-18T09:27:11-05:00

The future is now, and we are shaping it with our revolutionary implementations at EmBe Education. Our actions today impact not only the current state of our workforce and Sioux Falls community but also hold limitless potential for the future through the children we serve. By focusing on character development from birth to age 5, we lay a strong foundation for the success and well-being of children in our care. We believe that from an early age, our core values of Curiosity, Generosity, Autonomy, and Love are crucial. In this blog, we explain how character development in these formative years [...]

Character Development That Lasts a LifetimeMikena VanLiere2024-06-18T09:27:11-05:00

Preschool Enrollment Opens for Fall 2024

Mikena VanLiere2024-02-16T11:02:52-06:00

A Gateway to Early Education Excellence with EmBe Education EmBe, a leader in providing early childhood education, proudly announces the opening of enrollment for its preschool programs for the fall of 2024. EmBe Education's commitment to nurturing the inherent intelligence of every child aligns with our mission to empower women and families. At EmBe, we offer three distinctive play-based preschool programs, each designed to unlock the potential within every child: Traditional Preschool: EmBe's Traditional Preschool lays the foundation for academic and social development, guided by EmBe Education's belief in the inherent intelligence of every child. KinderCollege: KinderCollege at EmBe [...]

Preschool Enrollment Opens for Fall 2024Mikena VanLiere2024-02-16T11:02:52-06:00

Childcare Crisis Statement from EmBe CEO Kerri Tietgen: December 2023

Mikena VanLiere2023-12-19T14:11:16-06:00

The recent announcements regarding the closure of licensed centers in Sioux Falls and its surrounding areas have far-reaching implications for families, children, and the local workforce. This underscores the pressing need for quality childcare services, as over 54,000 families in South Dakota depend on them. As a community, we understand the critical role of childcare in supporting the workforce, and we compel our communities and the state to collaborate on solutions that meet the needs of families and children. EmBe has been engaged in meaningful discourse to navigate this challenging situation with a focus on the well-being of children, families, [...]

Childcare Crisis Statement from EmBe CEO Kerri Tietgen: December 2023Mikena VanLiere2023-12-19T14:11:16-06:00

EmBe and LAIC Partner to Enhance Childcare Services in Madison

Mikena VanLiere2023-11-15T15:48:10-06:00

Quality childcare is an integral part of economic development. It is fundamental for an adequate workforce. Lake Area Improvement Corporation (LAIC) has been working diligently to address the issue of childcare in Madison and Lake County. The latest step is a partnership with a renowned expert in childcare and education services. EmBe has been announced as the operator of a new childcare facility planned for construction. It is set to open its doors in 2025. “This is another critical step in the process of addressing the need for childcare in our community,” said LAIC Executive Director Brooke Rollag. “EmBe [...]

EmBe and LAIC Partner to Enhance Childcare Services in MadisonMikena VanLiere2023-11-15T15:48:10-06:00

Staff Spotlight: Sarah Meagher – Director of Curriculum and Licensing

Mikena VanLiere2024-03-15T13:42:53-05:00

“With an extremely talented and dedicated staff, the biggest challenge will be to learn what best practices already exist and where our programs can be elevated to the highest standard of childcare and early education in the community.” Sarah Meagher believes in the power of quality education to transform the lives of children. But the reality of maintaining EmBe’s high standards of learning requires constant effort from both teachers and administrators. As the new Director of Curriculum and Licensing at EmBe, Sarah has the passion and skills to rise to the challenge of delivering world-class education to the youth of [...]

Staff Spotlight: Sarah Meagher – Director of Curriculum and LicensingMikena VanLiere2024-03-15T13:42:53-05:00

100-Year Sunday Story: 100 Years of EmBe

Mikena VanLiere2022-09-25T11:04:58-05:00

For the final Sunday Story, we’re bringing you 100 fun facts about EmBe from our last 100 years! The 1920s YWCA founder, Mabel Crossman, owned the state’s largest chicken hatchery with her husband, even though she was terrified of chickens. The YWCA was one of the first organizations to offer Kittenball leagues for women. Kittenball is the original name for softball. The first Camp Tepeetonka was on Lake Madison. One of the original classes of the YWCA was a cheese-tasting class. The YWCA offered a special one-on-one English class for immigrants attempting to learn the language. President Calvin Coolidge visited [...]

100-Year Sunday Story: 100 Years of EmBeMikena VanLiere2022-09-25T11:04:58-05:00

100-Year Sunday Story: The Name Change

Mikena VanLiere2022-09-16T10:52:55-05:00

On April 16, 2013, the Sioux Falls branch of the YWCA cut ties with the national organization and announced the new agency as EmBe. There were many reasons for the change, but ultimately, the organization wanted to be more connected and support and provide resources in the best possible way to the Sioux Falls community. When the name changed, it didn’t mean that the services had changed. After the switch, EmBe still provided all the services they did before, including childcare services, aquatics, Girls on the Run, Tribute to Women, and all other programs. By cutting ties with [...]

100-Year Sunday Story: The Name ChangeMikena VanLiere2022-09-16T10:52:55-05:00

EmBe CEO Column: September 2022

Mikena VanLiere2022-09-16T11:05:25-05:00

Celebrating the Undying Agents of Change Despite my fortunate upbringing in a mild-mannered, midwestern town, I frequently lack patience in the face of injustice. While polite discourse and temperance are values I’ve shared with countless friends, neighbors, and colleagues, we’ve collectively seen our patience wane in our individual pursuit of progress and impact. As the past two years further revealed our urgent need for systematic change and equitable solutions across all sectors of society and commerce, I notice my own persistence at my best, and impatience at my worst. Yet, there is no better time to allow the 100-year anniversary [...]

EmBe CEO Column: September 2022Mikena VanLiere2022-09-16T11:05:25-05:00