Our Story
"Childhood is not a race to see how quickly a child can read, write, and count. It is a small window of time to learn and develop at the pace that is right for each individual child."
- Magda Gerber
Shine's Story
Shine Nurture Center was founded in January of 2015 by Katie McGoron, who had a dream of opening a childcare center where children could play outside, eat healthy food, and be respected as humans. Katie’s goal was to have Shine be less of a daycare, and more like a “Nurture Center.” At the time, she had 2 young daughters of her own and was feeling frustrated and disappointed by the lack of developmentally appropriate childcare options.
The components of healthy childcare are simple:
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Lots of free time (most of it outside)
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Free choice (inappropriately stimulating environments)
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Healthy foods (no added sugar, limit processed foods - set the children up for success)
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A loving atmosphere where people treat each other with respect (no baby talk, no manipulation, bribes, or threats).
Over the years, we made - and continue to make - improvements to our little, homey building. Every year's group of families contributes to the growth and development of the center, whether through enrolling their children at Shine and trusting us with their care, providing feedback & support, volunteering on workdays, or through donations and stepping up when we make a holiday wish list.
.In January of 2022, Shine Nurture Center became Shine Nurture Center Cooperative! We are now an employee-owned co-op, consisting of 2 Lead Teachers, our Administrator and our Director of Nutrition and Agriculture. A couple of us have worked with Katie, the founder, but we all share her holistic, nature-based views. At the end of 2022, we partnered with the Common Orchard Project and planted a community orchard here at Shine. Once the trees begin to bear fruits, 50% of the harvest will go to the community. We are extremely excited about this adventure and look forward to giving back to community.
After a year as worker- owners, we are still committed to high-quality childcare and are working, diligently, to grow, improve, and flourish for the families and children that walk through our doors each day and for many years to come.