School Age Care Archives

Staff Spotlight: Brandon Hanson

Melissa Carter2023-05-10T10:50:31-05:00

"There is a real sense of belonging at EmBe, and we are all working toward one big, shared goal. EmBe has put effort into the little things, making it an enticing place to be part of." We are excited to announce that Brandon Hanson has recently joined our team as the Executive Director of Childcare and School Age Care! Within his role, Brandon oversees six key leaders that are directly working within our childcare and school age care facilities. Brandon’s position invests in our senior leadership, determines operational and financial management of our childcare and school age care sites and [...]

Staff Spotlight: Brandon HansonMelissa Carter2023-05-10T10:50:31-05:00

Staff Spotlight: Derrick Spader – School Age Care Manager

Melissa Carter2022-08-18T13:17:14-05:00

“My vision for EmBe is for us to be at the front, leading the way and setting the standard of quality childcare and community empowerment.” After 100 years of serving Sioux Falls, EmBe has built a strong workplace culture that inspires employees like Derrick Spader to bring their best every day. Less than one month in his new role as School Age Care Manager, Derrick can already tell EmBe is different. The spirit of his fellow staff members is unlike anything he’s experienced before. “Everyone I have interacted with is passionate about what we do here at EmBe,” says Derrick, [...]

Staff Spotlight: Derrick Spader – School Age Care ManagerMelissa Carter2022-08-18T13:17:14-05:00

EmBe CEO Column: August 2022

Melissa Carter2022-08-10T10:08:31-05:00

Advancing Everyone’s Business Gratitude can be a difficult feeling for us to access under challenging circumstances and none seem to be as challenging as the childcare crisis impacting parents and providers today. As I take this time to reflect in the quiet, the stressful memories of the week dissipate, and scenes from our classrooms surface in their place. My mind goes to the moments where I watch teachers give their undivided attention to each student, the tears they shed as their students learn something new, and the sadness on their faces when a student progresses to a new room. Just [...]

EmBe CEO Column: August 2022Melissa Carter2022-08-10T10:08:31-05:00

Megan Willroth: School Age Care Site Coordinator at Freedom

Megan Van Holland2021-02-19T16:07:07-06:00

Megan Willroth is an After School Care Site Coordinator at Freedom Elementary in Harrisburg. Each day she makes sure that programs are running smoothly and EmBe's values are reflected through the things we do and teach on our offsite locations. "I try to make the before and after school program a safe space for the kids." Megan starts, "I am proud of the kids every day when they enjoy the things I have planned for them and choose to be vulnerable with me after a hard day at school." We are so fortunate for our childcare and school age care [...]

Megan Willroth: School Age Care Site Coordinator at FreedomMegan Van Holland2021-02-19T16:07:07-06:00

EmBe awarded Bush Foundation Community Innovation grant for collaborative project

Megan Van Holland2020-12-22T09:33:29-06:00

EmBe has been awarded a Bush Foundation Community Innovation grant. The $200,000 award provides funding for a two-year collaborative project to develop a framework for a shared child and school age care substitute staffing pool. This pool of trained staff will meet day-to-day needs across multiple organizations. The project grew out of the Sioux Falls Childcare Collaborative, convened and facilitated by Sioux Falls Thrive. The group has been meeting for several years with a focus on advancing sustainable child and school age care. COVID has propelled the group into the spotlight as the essential work of childcare providers has affected [...]

EmBe awarded Bush Foundation Community Innovation grant for collaborative projectMegan Van Holland2020-12-22T09:33:29-06:00

EmBe Vehicle Fund Drive

Megan Van Holland2020-01-21T11:59:22-06:00

Sioux Falls (January 13, 2020) -- Friday, December 13th held true to its reputation for EmBe, when two vans and a bus were disabled in the parking lot at EmBe South, just off of 69th and Louise in Sioux Falls. EmBe uses the vehicles to safely carry children on field trips, to transport them to EmBe for care, and to support programs like FIRST LEGO League, Girls on the Run, and swimming. That day, these vehicles were taken out of service through thefts of the catalytic converters. The vans were repairable, but the bus was not, creating a needless expense. The [...]

EmBe Vehicle Fund DriveMegan Van Holland2020-01-21T11:59:22-06:00

Engage Your Imagination with Dramatic Play

Courtney Place2019-02-19T13:49:10-06:00

In the Dramatic Play Area children take on different roles and recreate real-life experiences. They use props and make-believe to deepen their understanding about the world they live in. The ability to pretend is very important to your child’s development. Children who know how to make believe develop a good vocabulary, which is important for reading. They learn to cooperate with others and solve problems, and are able to think abstractly—all important skills for success in school. When children pretend, they have to recall experiences and re-create them. To do this, they need to picture their experiences in their minds. [...]

Engage Your Imagination with Dramatic PlayCourtney Place2019-02-19T13:49:10-06:00

After School Day at the Capitol

Megan Van Holland2019-02-11T08:32:11-06:00

The South Dakota School-Age Care Alliance and South Dakota Afterschool Network hosted Afterschool Day at the Capitol on February 6. As part of the program, the FIRST LEGO League First Place Champion traveled to Pierre to share their presentation and talk to our legislators. The team When Life Gives You Llamas from O’Gorman Junior High School in Sioux Falls, SD, presented to the Democratic Caucus and was part of the recognition of FIRST LEGO League on the floor of the House. It is an incredible honor, as well as a powerful example of STEM programming, team building, and gracious professionalism. [...]

After School Day at the CapitolMegan Van Holland2019-02-11T08:32:11-06:00

EmBe participating in South Dakota Gives on Giving Tuesday

Megan Van Holland2018-11-20T17:50:45-06:00

First comes Black Friday, then Small Business Saturday followed by Cyber Monday. But at EmBe our favorite day is Giving Tuesday. Started as a day for consumers take a break from holiday shopping and do some holiday giving instead. EmBe has been participating in Giving Tuesday events for several years. This year, EmBe is participating in South Dakota Day of Giving on Giving Tuesday. For the first time ever, South Dakota has a concentrated effort to raise the philanthropic efforts of nonprofits on Giving Tuesday. Through a series of challenges and tasks, South Dakota Gives will hand out $125,000 in [...]

EmBe participating in South Dakota Gives on Giving TuesdayMegan Van Holland2018-11-20T17:50:45-06:00

EmBe Bringing Babysitting Camp to Mitchell

Megan Van Holland2018-11-20T13:58:15-06:00

After years of honing and perfecting their popular Babysitting Camp, EmBe is bringing their program to Mitchell for the first time. The camp will take place December 27 at LB Williams school. EmBe uses the national curriculum from "Smart Kids: Babysitting 101" to guide campers on being an entrepreneur, developing people skills, and building confidence! Babysitting is needed more now than in the past due to more parents working outside the home and for longer hours. Babysitting offers teens and tweens flexibility so they can still make it to soccer, SAT prep or go on a family vacation. This day camp [...]

EmBe Bringing Babysitting Camp to MitchellMegan Van Holland2018-11-20T13:58:15-06:00