WHO WE ARE

DAY ONE is a nonprofit organization based in Poughkeepsie, New York. Our mission is to unleash the full potential of every child. Our model teaching and learning community of teachers, family members, and community partners work together to enable each child to thrive. Through our Teacher Apprenticeship Program, DAY ONE Early Learning Center and Family and Community Engagement initiatives, we form a triangle of strength around each child we serve.

At DAY ONE, we

  • Engage children and adults in playful learning, discovery, and hands-on experiences
  • Build on strengths and foster each person’s superpowers
  • Cultivate community: we learn with and from each other
  • Meet people where they are: we welcome and respect all people

At DAY ONE, we enable each child to learn and grow to their fullest potential, from day one.

OUR PROGRAMS

The Teacher Apprenticeship Program

DAY ONE’s Teacher Apprenticeship Program (TAP) is an intensive 11- week course in high quality early childhood education. This program is open to anyone 18 years and older who has a passion for children and is eager to learn. TAP prepares graduates with all the skills they need to work in a variety of early learning settings. TAP combines hands-on experience and classroom learning. The course and all materials are free; apprentices are provided a stipend during the 11-week course. DAY ONE provides ongoing support after graduation through networking, professional development, and opportunities for further education and career advancement. 

Graduates of the Teacher Apprenticeship Program become “brain architects,” able to make a positive impact on the academic, social and emotional development of our community’s youngest children.


DAY ONE EARLY LEARNING CENTER

At the DAY ONE Early Learning Center, we believe that children learn best through play. We provide a lively, engaging environment where children ages 18 months to 5 years old learn through discovery, exploration, and problem-solving. Our play-based curriculum enables each child to learn and grow in their own way. Our highly trained staff are all graduates of DAY ONE’s Teacher Apprenticeship Program. Our children discover and build on their strengths, gain resilience, and learn to embrace new challenges with confidence and competence. 

At DAY ONE, every child is safe, seen, and celebrated.

FAMILY and COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT INITIATIVES

DAY ONE equips and empowers parents and family members to act as their child’s first and best teacher and advocate. At our weekly, free play group, caregivers and children interact in playful, responsive ways through sensory activities, creative arts, music and movement or yoga. Family members connect and support each other, sharing the joys and challenges of child-rearing. Family members also learn of community resources that are available to meet needs that arise. Parents create a village!

DAY ONE strives to create a welcoming and respectful environment for all children, parents & caregivers.

WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO

DAY ONE is committed to best outcomes for children, families, and communities. Our Teacher Apprenticeship Program equips persons who face barriers to employment with valuable workplace skills in a high-impact profession. Our early learning center fosters academic, social -emotional development and resilience. We give children a platform for success in school, work and life. Our Family and Community Engagement efforts link children, families, and community partners in a web of mutual support and benefit. 

DAY ONE is creating opportunities, brightening futures, building community, transforming lives.