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New Horizon Academy to Open Brand-New Early Learning Center in Crystal, Minnesota

CRYSTAL – MN. – New Horizon Academy is excited to bring high-quality daycare and preschool programs to families in Crystal, Minnesota, with a brand-new school scheduled to open in late fall 2024. Located at 7000 57th Avenue North, near the Crystal Airport, the school will serve families in Crystal, New Hope, Robbinsdale, Brooklyn Center, and other surrounding areas.

Families can enroll children ages 6 weeks to 5 years in New Horizon Academy’s infant, toddler, preschool, or pre-k programs. Each classroom will provide children with a safe place to learn and grow through a comprehensive curriculum that includes social-emotional development, STEAM, early literacy, and more.

New Horizon Academy coming soon to Crystal, Minnesota

New Horizon Academy, a well-established daycare, preschool, and early learning center, has proudly served the Twin Cities metro and Suburban areas since 1971. While the new Crystal school is under construction, families are invited to schedule a tour at any of the 60+ nearby locations in the Twin Cities area.

For the latest information and updates on the brand-new Crystal location, please visit https://www.newhorizonacademy.net/location/crystal-mn/.

Daycare in Crystal, MN

New Horizon Academy to Open New Corporate-Sponsored Location in West Des Moines

WEST DES MOINES – IA. – New Horizon Academy will soon open its newest corporate-sponsored childcare center on the ITA Group campus in West Des Moines, Iowa! The school will provide quality daycare and preschool programs to ITA Group employees as well as members of the West Des Moines community.

The ITA Group location will be the second New Horizon Academy location in West Des Moines, enrolling children ages 6 weeks through 5 years. With thoughtfully designed classrooms and a research-based curriculum, children will have a safe environment where they can learn, grow, and thrive.

New Horizon Academy coming soon to ITA Group in West Des Moines, Iowa

“We’re excited to offer our high-quality early education programs to both ITA Group employees and the broader community in West Des Moines,” said Chad Dunkley, CEO of New Horizon Academy. “We believe in providing the best possible education and care for children during their formative years and are honored to provide that to Iowa children and families.”

The new West Des Moines facility is located at 7000 Vista Drive and is scheduled to open in fall 2024. For more information and updates, we encourage families to visit https://www.newhorizonacademy.net/location/ita-group-west-des-moines-ia/.

Daycare in West Des Moines, IA

New Horizon Academy to Open Second Location in Meridian, Idaho

MERIDIAN, ID. – New Horizon Academy is excited to soon open a second location in Meridian, Idaho, where they have been serving families with quality childcare since 1995. The brand-new school is scheduled to open in late October 2024. It will be located in the southern part of the city at 2918 South Meridian Road.

The Meridian (South) location will offer safe and nurturing daycare programs for infants and toddlers, along with engaging preschool and pre-k programs that focus on kindergarten readiness. Each classroom is thoughtfully designed to promote exploration, creativity, and a love for learning.

New Horizon Academy coming soon to South Meridian, Idaho

“We are thrilled to be bringing our high-quality childcare and preschool families to more families in Meridian,” said Chad Dunkley, CEO of New Horizon Academy. “This initiative is part of our ongoing mission to ensure every child has access to the best early education possible.”

While the new school is under construction, families are welcome to schedule a tour at one of New Horizon Academy’s five existing locations in the Boise area. For more details and updates on the Meridian (South) childcare center, please visit https://www.newhorizonacademy.net/location/idaho-south-meridian/.

Daycare in Meridian, ID

How to Choose a Quality Childcare | Tips from Iowa Live

How can you spot an excellent early childhood education program? Start with our quality childcare checklist!

New Horizon Academy Iowa Area Director Kelena Bonnell joins Iowa Live Host Lou Sipolt in the latest segment to discuss the fundamental signs of a good early childhood education.

Download Checklist

Plus, Kelena shared the exciting news that two new schools are coming soon to Iowa – one in Ankeny and another West Des Moines location on the ITA Group campus!

NAEYC Visits New Horizon Academy School in Corcoran, MN

It was a pleasure to welcome Alissa Mwenelupembe, Managing Director of Early Learning at The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), to our 100th school in Corcoran, Minnesota last week. During her visit, Alissa shared valuable insights into the future of NAEYC accreditation, a discussion that is particularly relevant to New Horizon Academy with our extensive network of NAEYC-accredited programs.

NAEYC visits New Horizon Academy school in Corcoran, Minnesota

Thank you, Alissa, for supporting our efforts to maintain high-quality early education programs for the children in our care.

New Horizon Academy Named Gold Winner in Minnesota’s Best Childcare

For the third consecutive year, New Horizon Academy has been recognized as the top childcare provider in Minnesota in the Minneapolis Star Tribune’s annual Minnesota’s Best awards. New Horizon Academy was awarded Gold for Best Childcare and Silver for Best Preschool in Minnesota. This honor reflects the dedication and care that teachers, staff, and families bring to New Horizon Academy every day.

“We’re thrilled that the skill and dedication of New Horizon Academy teachers and staff has been recognized once again,” said Chad Dunkley, New Horizon Academy CEO. “We’re so proud of our teachers and staff for the incredible care and education they provide to Minnesota children, and thank our families for their ongoing support.”

New Horizon Academy named Minnesota's Best Childcare 2024 Gold Winner

About New Horizon Academy

New Horizon Academy is a family-owned childcare and early learning provider that has been serving children and families since 1971. Through state-of-the-art school buildings, highly trained teachers, a research-based curriculum, and the highest-quality care, New Horizon Academy helps children develop a healthy sense of self and a lifelong love of learning.

New Horizon Academy is a nationally recognized, high-quality early learning provider with 100 daycare centers in five states. All eligible schools are accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the gold standard in the childcare industry. New Horizon Academy’s mission is to provide the best child development on the planet.

For more information, call 763-557-1111 or visit newhorizonacademy.net.

About Minnesota’s Best

The annual Minnesota’s Best awards is an audience-driven contest aimed at bringing visibility to local companies who provide significant value and service to clients and customers. Businesses were nominated in 350 categories, and the public voted in the spring of 2024.

For a full list of winners, visit https://www.votedminnesotasbest.com/.

New Horizon Academy Leadership Team Volunteers with Habitat for Humanity

Our leadership team recently had the rewarding opportunity to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity!

Not only did this experience allow us to give back to our community, but also strengthened our team bond. Huge thank you to Habitat for Humanity International for letting us contribute to such a meaningful project.

To learn more about New Horizon Academy’s Caring Beyond the Classroom initiative and ways you can give back to the community, click here.

 

Inside Urbandale’s New Daycare with Iowa Live Host

Take a sneak peek inside New Horizon Academy’s new Urbandale location in the latest Iowa Live segment featuring Host Lou Sipolt and Area Director Kelena Bonnell.

The segment highlights a range of learning materials utilized inside and outside the classroom. Indoors, you’ll discover different opportunities for learning, including STEAM projects, group circles, books, and various manipulatives. Outdoors, you can find a playground for gross motor movement, a stage for music and dance shows, planters for gardening and STEAM investigations, a mud kitchen for sensory learning, and more!

New Horizon Academy Urbandale is now enrolling children ages 6 weeks through 10 years. We offer an array of childcare options, including safe and nurturing daycare programs, school-readiness-focused preschool programs, and fun and engaging before and after-school programs. Schedule a tour today to discover how New Horizon Academy can support your child’s growth and development!

Daycare in Urbandale, IA

New Horizon Academy Opens New School in Olathe, KS

OLATHE, Kans. – New Horizon Academy is pleased to announce the grand opening of its newest childcare center in Olathe, Kansas, bringing additional care and learning options to families who work and live in Olathe and throughout Johnson County.

The new Olathe daycare building was constructed with young children in mind. Infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged children will learn in well-equipped classrooms, with indoor and outdoor play areas, and state-of-the-art security features that will provide families with peace of mind.

At the North Olathe New Horizon Academy, trained and degreed early childhood teachers will provide high-quality care for children aged 6 weeks through 5 years. Children will learn through an age-appropriate curriculum that focuses on literacy, STEAM, social-emotional development, and fostering a love of learning that will help them to succeed in school and life.

“Our mission is to provide the best possible learning environment for children during their critical early years,” said Chad Dunkley, CEO of New Horizon Academy. “We’re thrilled to be bringing our high-quality early learning programs to the children and families of North Olathe.”

New Horizon Academy – Olathe (North) is located at 21555 West 112th Terrace, Olathe, KS. To learn more, visit https://www.newhorizonacademy.net/location/north-olathe-ks/ or call (913) 490-3827.

About New Horizon Academy

New Horizon Academy is a family-owned, nationally-recognized childcare company with 100 schools in Minnesota, Kansas, Colorado, Idaho and Iowa. Since 1971, New Horizon Academy has provided children and families with best-in-class care, highly trained teachers, a proven curriculum, and safe and secure facilities. The principles and practices of New Horizon Academy focus on helping children develop a healthy sense of self and preparing them for kindergarten and beyond. For more information, call 763-557-1111 or visit newhorizonacademy.net.

District Managers Volunteer at Ronald McDonald House

Our Minnesota Regional Vice President and District Managers recently had the privilege of visiting the Ronald McDonald House. They generously volunteered their time to prepare and serve a delicious lunch for families and staff.

We take great pride in our community involvement and are excited to continue supporting causes that make a meaningful impact.

New Horizon Academy district managers volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House

To learn more about New Horizon Academy’s Caring Beyond the Classroom initiative and ways you can give back to the community, click here.

CEO Chad Dunkley Shares Leadership and Early Education Expertise

New Horizon Academy CEO Chad Dunkley was recently featured on Inspire! Care 360’s ECE CEO Biography podcast. Tune in as Dunkley shares his perspectives on leadership, early childhood education, and his path to New Horizon Academy!

Chad Dunkley featured on ECE CEO Biography podcast: The Path to New Horizon Academy with Chad Dunkley

Listen to Episode

Outdoor Summer Activities for Kids | New Horizon Academy Featured on Iowa Live

Iowa Area Director Kelena Bonnell joined Lou Sipolt in the Iowa Live studio to give us ideas for summer outdoor activities to enjoy with kids.

Not only do outdoor activities allow children to get some fresh air, but they also enhance children’s physical and cognitive development, imagination, coordination, confidence, and healthy lifestyles.

Find these outdoor activities and more on our website!

New Horizon Academy is a nationally recognized early learning provider with over 90 daycare centers in Minnesota, Colorado, Iowa, Idaho, and Kansas. Through play-based curriculum and high-quality childcare, New Horizon Academy schools nurture and prepare children to succeed in school and in life. 

Schedule a tour to learn more about our highly trained teachers, safe and secure facilities, and commitment to providing the highest quality care. Contact a New Horizon Academy childcare center near you today! 

Find a School

Marketing Team Volunteers at Feed My Starving Children

Joined by fellow volunteers at Feed My Starving Children, the New Horizon Academy marketing team recently helped pack 27,432 meals for children in Haiti. This effort will provide 75 children with daily meals for an entire year!

We are honored to have been part of this collective effort to make a meaningful impact.

New Horizon Academy marketing team volunteering at Feed My Starving Children in Chanhassen, Minnesota

To learn more about New Horizon Academy’s Caring Beyond the Classroom initiative and ways you can give back to the community, click here.

New Horizon Academy Recognized as Top Workplace in Minnesota

PLYMOUTH, Minn. – New Horizon Academy has been named one of the 2024 Top 200 Workplaces in Minnesota by the Star Tribune. This honor is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and creativity of the teachers, management, and support staff at all of New Horizon Academy’s 100 schools.

New Horizon Academy wins StarTribune Top 200 Workplaces 2024

Top Workplaces awards are based on employee feedback gathered through a survey administered by Energage LLC, an esteemed employee engagement technology firm. The confidential survey focuses on gathering authentic feedback to accurately gauge and measure the employee experience.

“Earning a Top Workplaces award is a badge of honor for companies, especially because it comes authentically from their employees,” said Eric Rubino, Energage CEO. “In today’s market, leaders must ensure they’re allowing employees to have a voice and be heard.”

“New Horizon Academy is deeply honored to be selected as one of the Top Workplaces in Minnesota for the eighth consecutive year,” said Chad Dunkley, CEO of New Horizon Academy. “Our teachers are the cornerstone of our organization, and we’re proud to provide a supportive workplace that fosters growth and success for our employees.”

About New Horizon Academy

Since 1971, New Horizon Academy has provided young children with best-in-class childcare and early education. New Horizon Academy’s experienced teachers, curriculum, and social-emotional learning helps children develop a love of learning, preparing them for kindergarten and beyond.

New Horizon Academy has 100 schools in five states, offering care and education to infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-aged children. All eligible New Horizon Academy early learning centers are accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the gold standard in the childcare industry. New Horizon Academy’s mission is to provide the best child development on the planet.

For more information, call 763-557-1111 or visit newhorizonacademy.net.

About Energage

Built on 18 years of culture research and the results from 27 million employees surveyed across more than 70,000 organizations,  Energage delivers the most accurate competitive benchmark available. With access to a unique combination of patented analytic tools and expert guidance, Energage customers lead the competition with an engaged workforce and an opportunity to gain recognition for their people-first approach to culture. For more information or to nominate your organization, visit energage.com or topworkplaces.com.

Chad Dunkley Leads 20th Annual MCCA Conference

On June 11th, Chad Dunkley, Chief Executive Officer of New Horizon Academy and President of the Minnesota Child Care Association, led the 20th annual MCCA Conference.

New Horizon Academy CEO Chad Dunkley speaking at 2024 MCCA Conference

Numerous early childhood leaders including New Horizon Academy’s own Clare Sanford, VP of Government and Community Relations, Cara Johnson-Bader, VP of Marketing and Parent Experiences, and Erin Rohne, Marketing Manager, covered diverse topics, offering valuable insights into early education strategies, advocacy initiatives, and effective approaches.

Their collective expertise provided innovative ways to advance early childhood education and advocate for its importance in our communities.

Kid-Approved Summer Recipes | New Horizon Academy Featured on Iowa Live

Iowa Area Director Kelena Bonnell joins Iowa Live host Lou Sipolt to share some easy and delicious summer recipes kids can help make!

Not only does cooking with children help them learn culinary skills, but it also boosts language development, fine motor development, math and science skills, focus and attention, self-confidence, healthy eating, and so much more!

Join Kelena as she makes Pita Pocket Sandwiches and Ice Cream in a Bag on the latest episode of Iowa Live. Find all these kid-friendly recipes and more in our Family Resource Library.

Kelena also shared the exciting news that New Horizon Academy is opening a seventh location in Iowa on the ITA Group Inc. campus in West Des Moines! The new school is scheduled to open in Fall 2024 and will serve ITA Group employees, grandparents, and the general public with high-quality daycare and preschool programs for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years.

For more information and updates on New Horizon Academy (West Des Moines – ITA Group), visit https://www.newhorizonacademy.net/location/ita-group-west-des-moines-ia/.

New Horizon Academy to Open 2nd School in Olathe, Kansas

OLATHE, KS. – New Horizon Academy is excited to announce the opening of a brand-new daycare, preschool, and early learning center in Olathe, Kansas. New Horizon Academy joined the Olathe community in November 2023, opening its first Olathe location off Black Bob Road and West 151st St. The new school will be located North of I-35, off K-10 and K-7, serving more families in the northern part of Olathe.

The new daycare facility will care for children ages 6 weeks through 5 years through high-quality childcare and kindergarten readiness programs. Experienced teachers will use a comprehensive curriculum that includes social-emotional development, STEAM, early literacy, and more.

New Horizon Academy coming soon to North Olathe, Kansas

New Horizon Academy – Olathe (North) is projected to open in Summer 2024. Families are encouraged to schedule a tour at a nearby location in Olathe, Overland Park, or Leawood to learn more about our safe and secure facilities and see our curriculum in action!

For more information and updates on New Horizon Academy’s Olathe, KS (North) location, visit https://www.newhorizonacademy.net/location/north-olathe-ks/.

Daycare in Olathe, KS

New Lino Lakes School the First New Horizon Academy to Implement Solar Energy

In a groundbreaking move toward sustainability, New Horizon Academy has installed solar panels at its school in Lino Lakes, Minnesota. This initiative supports New Horizon Academy’s ongoing efforts to minimize its carbon footprint and contribute to a greener environment.

The solar panels, designed and installed by All Energy Solar, will provide electricity to the Minnesota daycare facility year-round – even in the snowy months. “Over the next 25 years, [the] solar energy will help to avoid 1,106 metric tons of CO2, “noted All Energy Solar. ” This is equivalent to 28,371 trees planted, 233 passenger vehicles taken off the road for a year, and 124,742 gallons of gas consumed.”

Lino Lakes daycare using solar energy from All Energy Solar

New Horizon Academy plans to implement more solar energy solutions in new and existing schools in the coming years. The nationally recognized childcare provider takes pride in contributing to a more sustainable future.

New Horizon Academy Voted Minnesota’s Favorite Daycare

New Horizon Academy is honored to announce we have been voted Minnesota Parent’s Best Preschool/Childcare Center of 2024!

What’s our secret? Our passionate early childhood educators! This award would not have been possible without our extraordinary teachers who go above and beyond to ensure children have access to high-quality education and care. Thank you for making us Minnesota’s favorite daycare!

New Horizon Academy named Minnesota Parent's #1 Family Favorite Preschool and Childcare Center

Click here to view all winners of Minnesota Parent’s 2024 Family Favorite awards.

Prevent Summer Slide with These Summer Activities for Kids | New Horizon Academy Featured on Iowa Live

The school year is coming to an end! The teachers at New Horizon Academy have prepared a variety of activities you can enjoy with your child to help prevent summer “brain drain”. Iowa Area Director Kelena Bonnell was recently featured on Iowa Live to share a few.

Summer STEAM Activities for Kids

Find these fun summer activities and more on the New Horizon Academy blog!

 

New Horizon Academy is proud to offer Camp Discovery, our summer daycare program that provides children with a safe environment to learn, play, and explore in the summer months. From  field trips to STEAM activities, service-learning projects, outside adventures, and more, our summer program is a great opportunity for children to continue practicing important development skills throughout the summer.

Schedule a tour to learn more about our highly trained teachers, safe and secure facilities, and commitment to providing the highest quality care. Contact a New Horizon Academy near you today!

Find a Summer Program

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week! -From CEO, Chad Dunkley

Wishing a happy Teacher Appreciation Week to our incredible early childhood educators at New Horizon Academy. We appreciate each and every one of you for dedicating your careers to making this world a better place.

Join our team of incredible teachers at New Horizon Academy! Visit our careers page to view open job positions.

New Horizon Academy Opens 100th School, Bringing High-Quality Childcare and Early Education to More Families

CORCORAN, Minn. – New Horizon Academy, a nationally-recognized leader in childcare and early childhood education, recently announced the grand opening of its 100th school. This milestone is a significant achievement for the organization, solidifying its commitment to nurturing the potential of young learners across the country.

“Reaching 100 schools is a testament to our unwavering dedication to providing high-quality early education experiences for all children,” said Chad Dunkley, CEO of New Horizon Academy. “We are thrilled to expand our reach and serve even more families in their communities.”

The new school, located in Corcoran, MN, offers a nurturing and stimulating environment for children from six weeks through pre-kindergarten. The school features state-of-the-art classrooms, best-in-class indoor and outdoor play areas, experienced teachers, and a research-based curriculum.

New Horizon Academy's 100th school located in Corcoran, Minnesota
New Horizon Academy’s 100th school in Corcoran, Minnesota

Commitment to Quality and Accessibility

New Horizon Academy is committed to providing high-quality early education for all age groups. Schools use a research-based curriculum that includes play-based activities, social-emotional development, and age-appropriate academic exploration to foster a lifelong love of learning. The new school, as with all New Horizon Academy locations, will offer flexible scheduling options to meet the needs of working families.

“We know the vital importance of early education in laying the foundation for a child’s future,” said Chad Dunkley, CEO at New Horizon Academy. “Our curriculum is designed to prepare children for kindergarten and beyond, while fostering a lifelong love of learning.”

Commitment to Accreditation and Workplace Excellence

Continuous improvement is one of New Horizon Academy’s core values, which is why all schools pursue accreditation in addition to state licensing. All of New Horizon Academy’s eligible centers have achieved accreditation by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), which signifies that all programs meet rigorous national standards for quality and learning.

New Horizon Academy is also a seven-time recipient of the Star Tribune Top 200 Workplaces award and a three-time recipient of the Top Work Places USA honor. These recognitions acknowledge an ongoing commitment to fostering a positive and rewarding work environment for early childhood educators.

Celebrating the Future of Early Education

From a single preschool classroom in 1971 to 100 schools in five states (and still growing) today, much has changed for New Horizon Academy – but a great deal remains the same. New Horizon Academy is family owned and operated, with corporate headquarters in Plymouth, Minnesota, just down the road from that first preschool classroom in Brooklyn Center. The company mission and vision also remain the same: to provide the best early childhood experiences for young children, and to improve access to early education and high-quality childcare for all children.

Old New Horizon Academy childcare classroom from the 1970s
New Horizon Academy’s first school, circa 1971

The opening of the 100th school marks a significant milestone for New Horizon Academy, but it’s just the beginning. The organization remains committed to expanding its reach and providing high-quality early education experiences to even more children and families across the country.

About New Horizon Academy

New Horizon Academy is a Minnesota-based, nationally recognized provider of childcare, preschool, and early education programs with more than 100 schools in five states. Through research-based curriculum, highly-trained teachers, and state-of-the-art classrooms and play areas, New Horizon Academy provides a nurturing and stimulating environment where children can learn, grow, and thrive.

To learn more, visit https://www.newhorizonacademy.net/.

New Horizon Academy Recognizes Top Teachers at Annual Banquet

Each year, New Horizon Academy honors its top teachers and educators by presenting awards in three categories: Teachers of Distinction, Kitchen Managers of Distinction, and Educators of Excellence.

Teachers of Distinction are educators who consistently exceed expectations, demonstrating profound leadership skills and unwavering commitment to early childhood education.

Kitchen Managers of Distinction stand out as exceptional cooks who consistently go above and beyond to ensure nutritious and well-balanced meals for the children in our care.

Educators of Excellence not only demonstrate the qualities of Teachers of Distinction but also have held the esteemed title multiple times and have taught with New Horizon Academy for over 5 years.

New Horizon Academy CEO Chad Dunkley speaking at 2024 Teacher of Distinction banquet

New Horizon Academy is proud to celebrate these talented teachers and staff at our annual banquet. We are privileged to have these exceptional early childhood educators as part of our school family!

Explore our careers page for current job openings and find out how you can become a leader in early childhood education today!

New Horizon Academy is Now Open in Corcoran, Minnesota

On Monday, April 22, New Horizon Academy opened a new school in Corcoran, MN, bringing a new high-quality childcare option to families in Corcoran, Hamel, Medina, and surrounding areas. The school will provide care and education for children ages six weeks through pre-kindergarten, using a researched curriculum to prepare children for kindergarten and beyond.

The new Corcoran location also marks a significant milestone for New Horizon Academy: our 100th school! This achievement demonstrates our ongoing commitment to increasing childcare access and nurturing the potential of young learners in Minnesota and throughout the country.

New Horizon Academy daycare in Corcoran, Minnesota

New Horizon Academy Corcoran is a brand-new facility that features age-appropriate classrooms, indoor and outdoor play spaces, child-friendly features such as finger guards on all doors, and advanced safety and security measures. Children will learn from experienced, highly trained teachers who will partner with parents to ensure each child’s growth and success.

Learn more and schedule a tour at https://www.newhorizonacademy.net/location/corcoran/.

Daycare in Corcoran, MN

New Horizon Academy Attends 2024 Advocacy for Children Day

Every child deserves access to affordable, high-quality childcare and education!

On Monday, April 15th, New Horizon Academy attended United Way’s 2024 Advocacy for Children Day at the Minnesota State Capitol. This event is held annually as an opportunity for children, parents, and early childhood professionals to speak with state legislators and advocate for affordable and accessible childcare.

Over 35,000 children in Minnesota lack access to quality childcare and early education programs. New Horizon Academy has long been an advocate for childcare access and creating opportunities for young children from all socio-economic backgrounds. We’re proud to work alongside other local and national organizations to build awareness and create change.

2024 Advocacy for Children Day at Minnesota State Capitol

New Horizon Academy takes great pride in advocating for our children, and it was an honor to represent them during this year’s Advocacy for Children Day.

New Horizon Academy Breaks Ground on New Daycare in Rosemount, Minnesota

ROSEMOUNT, MN. – On Wednesday, April 10, 2024, CEO Chad Dunkley and the New Horizon Academy team traveled to Rosemount, Minnesota to break ground on a brand-new school. New Horizon Academy was joined by Steiner Construction, the Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce, and the Rosemount community, as they celebrated the start of the school’s construction.

The new Rosemount daycare is projected to open in early 2025 and will care for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years. The school will be one of the largest New Horizon Academy locations yet, offering high-quality daycare, preschool, and early education programs to Rosemount children and families.

The school will be located at 2730 149th Street West Rosemount, MN 55068. For more information and updates on the new Rosemount school, click here.

New Horizon Academy leadership team members breaking ground on new daycare in Rosemount, Minnesota

New Horizon Academy is a nationally recognized early learning provider with over 90 daycare centers in Minnesota, Colorado, Iowa, Idaho, and Kansas. Through play-based curriculum and high-quality childcare, New Horizon Academy schools nurture and prepare children to succeed in school and in life. 

Schedule a tour to learn more about our highly trained teachers, safe and secure facilities, and commitment to providing the highest quality care. Contact a New Horizon Academy childcare center near you today!

Daycare in Rosemount, MN

Iowa Live Host Tours New Daycare in Urbandale

In Iowa Live’s latest segment, host Lou Sipolt joins Iowa Area Director Kelena Bonnell at New Horizon Academy’s newest location in Urbandale.

The exclusive video tour offers a glimpse into the newly built school, which features a great room for gross motor development, and inviting classrooms that incorporate STEAM, Creative Curriculum, and offer a variety of tools for optimal learning.

Kelena also highlights the array of safety and security features the school offers, including a coded entrance and security cameras in all classrooms and common areas. These features and more are included in New Horizon Academy’s Quality Childcare Checklist, a tool for helping families find a quality early education program for their children.

The brand-new daycare facility opened in March 2024 at 12900 Hickory Drive, Urbandale, IA 50111. Parents and families are encouraged to schedule a tour on Urbandale’s website. Find all locations at www.newhorizonacademy.net.

Daycare in Urbandale, IA

New Horizon Academy to Open New Daycare in Corcoran, Minnesota

New Horizon Academy is pleased to announce the grand opening of new school in Corcoran, MN in April 2024. This beautiful new building features a warm and welcoming environment, state-of-the-art classrooms, indoor and outdoor play areas, and child-friendly features that promote safety and maximize learning.

New Horizon Academy Corcoran will provide high-quality daycare and preschool for children from infancy through pre-kindergarten. Experienced teachers will guide infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged children through a research-based curriculum that includes literacy, STEAM, motor development, and social-emotional learning.

New Horizon Academy to open new daycare and preschool in Corcoran, Minnesota

“We’re thrilled to bring our high-quality childcare and preschool programs to families in and around Corcoran,” said Chad Dunkley, New Horizon Academy CEO. “New Horizon Academy has been providing care and early education to young children for more than 50 years. We will continue to draw on our experience and expertise to provide the best childcare experience to Corcoran families.”

And even more exciting news: Corcoran will be the 100th school in the New Horizon Academy family! Information about the 100th school celebration will be announced in the coming weeks. Follow New Horizon Academy on Facebook or Instagram to learn more.

The new Corcoran daycare center is located at 7315 Brockton Lane North in Corcoran, off Highway 101 and Bass Lake Road. Visit https://www.newhorizonacademy.net/location/corcoran/ to learn more and schedule a tour!

Daycare in Corcoran, MN

About New Horizon Academy

With more than 90 locations in five states, New Horizon Academy has served thousands of children and families since its founding in 1971. New Horizon Academy provides highly trained teachers, a proven curriculum, and safe and secure facilities. The principles and practices of New Horizon Academy focus on helping children develop a healthy sense of self and preparing them for kindergarten and beyond.

For more information, call 651-461-9060 or visit newhorizonacademy.net.

STEAM Activities for Kids | New Horizon Academy Featured on Iowa Live

Iowa Area Director Kelena Bonnell appeared on Iowa Live to share some exciting news for Iowa families. New Horizon Academy has opened its sixth school in Iowa, located in Urbandale!

The brand-new school will be the first Iowa location to offer care for school-age children. It will also offer infant and toddler daycare programs, preschool and pre-k programs, before and after-school care programs, and summer programs for children ages 6 weeks to 10 years.

Daycare in Urbandale, Iowa

Kelena also shared some exciting ways New Horizon Academy incorporates STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) into our classroom curriculum. Tune into our latest segment on Iowa Live to learn how to conduct a rock investigation or make a fizzy rainbow with your child!

Find these kids’ STEAM activities and more in our Family Resource Library!

New Horizon Academy is a nationally recognized early learning provider with over 90 schools in Minnesota, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, and Kansas. Each of our classrooms utilizes an age-appropriate curriculum that incorporates STEAM, social-emotional learning, language development, and more!

Schedule a tour to see inside our beautiful classrooms, meet our teachers and staff, and see our award-winning curriculum in action! Contact a New Horizon Academy daycare center near you today!

Minnesota Department of Education Visits New Horizon Academy to Celebrate CACFP Week

Each year, the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) holds CACFP Week, bringing awareness to how the federally funded program works to ensure children and adults have access to nutritious meals and snacks.

In partnership with CACFP and the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE), New Horizon Academy schools celebrate the week by making a kid-friendly snack, created by New Horizon Academy Director of Food and Nutrition Jill Weldon.

This year, members of MDE and CACFP paid a visit to our Shakopee school as children and staff enjoyed a fruit “cheesecake” snack of graham crackers, berries, and yogurt.

MN Department of Education visits New Horizon Academy in Shakopee for CACFP Week

For more information about CACFP, click here.

New Horizon Academy Named USA Top Workplace

We are excited to announce that New Horizon Academy has been named a USA Top Workplace for the 4th consecutive year!

Thanks to our amazing teachers and staff, we have built an incredible community that values diversity and inclusion, promotes creativity and innovation, and has a passion for early childhood education.

New Horizon Academy USA Top Workplace winner of 2024

Interested in a career with New Horizon Academy? Explore our available positions here.

New Horizon Academy Opens New Daycare in Urbandale, Iowa

New Horizon Academy opened its sixth school in Iowa on Monday, March 18. Located in Urbandale, on the corner of 128th Street and Meredith Drive, the newly constructed school will provide high-quality daycare, preschool, and early education to children ages 6 weeks to 10 years old.

The brand-new Urbandale facility joins five other schools in Iowa, and over 90 other locations throughout Minnesota, Colorado, Idaho, and Kansas. Serving families since 1971, New Horizon Academy has become a nationally recognized early learning provider, nurturing and preparing children to succeed in school and life. The Urbandale school will offer infant and toddler daycare programs, preschool and pre-k programs, and before and after school care programs for school-age children.

New Horizon Academy daycare in Urbandale, Iowa

Meet our highly trained teachers, explore our safe and thoughtfully designed classrooms, and see our curriculum in action! Schedule a tour of Urbandale’s newest daycare center today!

Schedule a Tour

New Horizon Academy Named Boise’s Favorite Childcare

Idaho families recently voted New Horizon Academy Boise’s Favorite Childcare of 2023 in the Idaho Statesman.

This awesome achievement is thanks to our incredible team of teachers in Idaho who nurture and care for our little ones every single day. Our teachers’ dedication to early childhood education plays a vital role in establishing New Horizon Academy as families’ preferred daycare in Boise!

Children with party hats and party blowers celebrating at school

New Horizon Academy currently has five locations in the Boise metro area and will open its sixth school in the fall of 2024. Schedule a tour to learn more about our nationally accredited daycare, preschool, and early learning programs in Idaho!

Find a School

Children’s Book Authors Read to New Horizon Academy Students and Families

New Horizon Academy celebrated the end of I Love to Read Month with a special book reading from two moms and children’s book authors at our St. Paul – Highland Park school.

Authors of "Tolita: The Best Bad Dog" at book reading event at St. Paul New Horizon Academy daycare

Lauren and Camila, the talented authors of “Tolita: The Best Bad Dog” kindly read their heartwarming tale to their school family. Children had the joy of immersing themselves in the story, engaging with the authors, and expressing their creativity as they brought the narrative to life on a coloring page.

Families also had the opportunity to purchase the story and have it signed by the authors themselves!

To learn more about the story of Tolita, click here.

New Horizon Academy Daycare and Preschool Now Open in Parker, Colorado

On Monday, February 26, New Horizon Academy opened the doors to its brand-new school in Parker, Colorado. The school is located at 12188 Sliceroo Drive, off of East Hess Road and South Chambers Road.

The new school in Parker is New Horizon Academy’s seventh location in Colorado, following nearby schools in Lone Tree, Centennial, and Aurora.

New Horizon Academy – Parker will bring exceptional childcare, preschool, and early education services to local families, offering curriculum-based learning programs for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years.

New Horizon Academy daycare in Parker, Colorado

Meet the Parker, Colorado teachers and staff, see inside the state-of-the-art classrooms, and learn about New Horizon Academy’s commitment to providing safe and high-quality learning experiences by scheduling a tour on the school’s website.

New Horizon Academy Teachers Attend Annual Professional Development Summit

At New Horizon Academy, our mission is to foster a culture of lifelong learning, not only for our students but our teachers too!

Yesterday was our annual Professional Development Summit, a day for teachers and staff to strengthen their school family and grow as early childhood educators. This year’s theme was “Be the Change.” More than 2,000 New Horizon Academy employees across 90+ schools enjoyed a full day of team building, fun activities, and learning more ways to make a positive impact in the classroom.

We thank our families for allowing us a day to focus on our professional growth so we can continue providing the very best early education experiences for our young learners.

New Horizon Academy daycare teachers at 2024 Professional Development Summit

New Horizon Academy is hiring! Looking for a career where you can make a difference in the lives of young children? Join our team of early childhood educators today!

To explore open positions across Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, and Minnesota, visit our careers page.

Explore Early Childhood Positions

New Horizon Academy Celebrates the Grand Opening of Overland Park, KS School

New Horizon Academy recently opened its third school in Kansas just over a month ago. Located in Overland Park, on the corner of 119th and Quivira Road, the school provides daycare, preschool, and early education services to children ages 6 weeks to 5 years.

The Overland Park Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the school’s grand opening. Local families attended to help welcome New Horizon Academy to the Overland Park community.

Overland Park, KS chamber hosting ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate New Horizon Academy grand-opening

Schedule a tour of New Horizon Academy’s brand-new Overland Park daycare today!

Daycare in Overland Park, KS

New Horizon Academy Breaks Ground on New School in Meridian, Idaho

New Horizon Academy CEO Chad Dunkley and other members from our home office in Plymouth, MN joined our Idaho team to break ground on our second location in Meridian, Idaho! Teachers, school leaders, and members of the Meridian community gathered to help celebrate the new school.

New Horizon Academy is thrilled to extend our early childhood education programs to more Idaho families, making high-quality childcare and education more accessible.

New Horizon Academy Idaho team at new South Meridian school construction site

For more updates on our South Meridian school, click here.

New Horizon Academy is a nationally recognized early learning provider with over 90 daycare centers in Minnesota, Colorado, Iowa, Idaho, and Kansas. Through play-based curriculum and high-quality childcare, New Horizon Academy schools nurture and prepare children to succeed in school and in life. 

Schedule a tour to learn more about our highly trained teachers, safe and secure facilities, and commitment to providing the highest quality care. Contact a New Horizon Academy childcare center near you today! 

Daycare in Meridian, ID

Early Learning Day 2024 | New Horizon Academy Advocates for Early Childhood Education

Each year, New Horizon Academy attends Idaho AEYC’s Early Learning Day, an event where state leaders gather to learn about the impact of high-quality early learning. Management team members from our Idaho schools spoke with state legislators to advocate for investment in early education programs for young children.

New Horizon Academy looks forward to continuing these conversations to ensure children can access exceptional early learning programs that prepare them for kindergarten and beyond.

New Horizon Academy is a nationally recognized early learning provider with over 90 daycare centers in Minnesota, Colorado, Iowa, Idaho, and Kansas. Through play-based curriculum and high-quality childcare, New Horizon Academy schools nurture and prepare children to succeed in school and in life. 

Schedule a tour to learn more about our highly trained teachers, safe and secure facilities, and commitment to providing the highest quality care. Contact a New Horizon Academy childcare center near you today! 

Winter Activities for Kids | New Horizon Academy Featured on Iowa Live

Iowa Area Director Kelena Bonnell was recently featured on Iowa Live to share a variety of free activities that kids can enjoy this winter! From winter scavenger hunts to snow painting, dance parties, and more, there is a ton of fun to be had this winter!

All these winter activities and more can be found in our Family Resource Library.

New Horizon Academy is a nationally recognized early learning provider with over 90 daycare centers in Minnesota, Colorado, Iowa, Idaho, and Kansas. Through play-based curriculum and high-quality childcare, New Horizon Academy schools nurture and prepare children to succeed in school and in life. 

Schedule a tour to learn more about our highly trained teachers, safe and secure facilities, and commitment to providing the highest quality care. Contact a New Horizon Academy childcare center near you today! 

New Horizon Academy Daycare Now Open in Lino Lakes, Minnesota

On January 22, 2024 New Horizon Academy opened the doors to its brand-new school in Lino Lakes, Minnesota. The school is replacing New Horizon Academy’s Hugo location, bringing high-quality daycare, preschool, and early childhood education to Lino Lakes families, while still serving existing families in a stunning new building.

Exterior and playground at New Horizon Academy daycare in Lino Lakes, Minnesota

New Horizon Academy in Lino Lakes will care for children ages 6 weeks to 10 years through curriculum-based infant, toddler, preschool, and pre-kindergarten childcare programs.

For more information or to schedule a tour, click here.

2023 Year in Review

As 2023 comes to an end, we wanted to take a moment to reflect on and celebrate some of our favorite memories and accomplishments of this past year.We can’t wait to see all the exciting things 2024 has in store. Thank you for supporting New Horizon Academy!

New Horizon Academy's 2023 Year in Review infographic

New Horizon Academy Daycare Coming Soon to Lino Lakes, MN

Watch us build our brand-new school in Lino Lakes, Minnesota!

New Horizon Academy is excited to bring high-quality childcare and early education programs to Lino Lakes families. The new school will feature state-of-the-art classrooms, indoor play areas, and thoughtfully designed playgrounds to encourage learning for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years. The Lino Lakes location will open in early 2024, and will replace New Horizon Academy’s current Hugo location.

For more information about New Horizon Academy’s infant, toddler, preschool, and pre-k programs, click here.

New Horizon Academy to Open Early Learning Center in Overland Park, Kansas

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – In January 2024, New Horizon Academy will open a new childcare center in Overland Park. The new school will be the third New Horizon Academy location in Johnson County, providing high-quality childcare and early education to children aged 6 weeks to 5 years old.

The new Overland Park childcare center will feature state-of-the-art classrooms, indoor play areas, and playgrounds that are thoughtfully designed to encourage learning. New Horizon Academy’s highly-trained teachers will lead children through an research-based curriculum that focuses on social-emotional learning, STEAM, literacy, motor development, and establishing a lifelong love of learning.

New Horizon Academy daycare and preschool coming soon to Overland Park, Kansas

“We are thrilled to be bringing our high-quality childcare and preschool programs to the families of Overland Park and Johnson County,” said Chad Dunkley, CEO of New Horizon Academy. “We know the importance of providing young children with the best possible learning environment during their formative years, and we look forward to partnering with Overland Park families.”

The new Overland Park childcare center will be located at 11920 Quivira Road, Overland Park, KS 66213. To learn more, visit www.newhorizonacademy.net/location/overland-park-ks/. New Horizon Academy also has locations in Leawood and Olathe. Visit www.newhorizonacademy.net/find-a-school/ to find the school closest to you.

About New Horizon Academy

With more than 90 locations in five states, New Horizon Academy has served thousands of children and families since its founding in 1971. New Horizon Academy provides highly trained teachers, a proven curriculum, and safe and secure facilities. The principles and practices of New Horizon Academy focus on helping children develop a healthy sense of self and preparing them for kindergarten and beyond.

New Horizon Academy is a family-owned, nationally-recognized childcare and early learning provider. All eligible schools are accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the gold standard of accreditation in childcare. New Horizon Academy’s mission is to provide the best child development on the planet.

For more information, call 763-557-1111 or visit newhorizonacademy.net.

DIY Holiday Gift Ideas | New Horizon Academy Featured on Iowa Live

The holidays are approaching quickly, and many families are still searching for last-minute gift ideas. Iowa Area Director Kelena Bonnell was recently featured on Iowa Live to share some fun and easy DIY activities that are perfect for children to create and give as homemade gifts.

Find these DIY gift ideas on our blog, along with more interactive children’s activities, parenting tips, and book recommendations.

 

Kelena also announced that New Horizon Academy is bringing high-quality daycare, preschool, and early childhood education to Urbandale, Iowa in 2024! Click here to learn more about Urbandale’s childcare programs for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.

New Horizon Academy Named Des Moines’ Favorite Daycare

New Horizon Academy was recently voted Des Moines Parent’s Family Favorite Daycare/Childcare of 2023.

A big shoutout to our amazing teachers who dedicate their careers to making a positive difference in the lives of young children. We are grateful for all you do to make us Des Moines’ favorite daycare.

Des Moines Parent Family Favorite Daycare of 2023 Winner

Click here to view the winners of all Des Moines Parent’s 2023 Family Favorite awards.

New Horizon Academy Gives Back to the Local Community

Each year, our Caring Beyond the Classroom program brings New Horizon Academy students, families, and staff together to engage in various activities that give back to the local community.

This year, our schools and home office created tie blankets for Project Linus, decorated lunch bags for Meals On Wheels, colored cheerful drawings for Color A Smile, and donated food items to the Pinky Swear Foundation.

To learn more about New Horizon Academy’s Caring Beyond the Classroom initiative and ways you can give back to the community, click here.

Kansas City Mom Collective Shares Tips for Finding High-Quality Daycare

Our friends at Kansas City Mom Collective were recently featured on My KC Live to share tips for finding high-quality daycare. Watch the video to learn the top 5 questions to ask when exploring potential childcare centers and to see a sneak peek of our brand-new daycare center in Olathe, Kansas!

New Horizon Academy high-quality daycare in Olathe, Kansas

New Horizon Academy is a nationally recognized early learning provider with over 90 daycare centers in Minnesota, Colorado, Iowa, Idaho, and Kansas. Through play-based curriculum and high-quality childcare, New Horizon Academy schools nurture and prepare children to succeed in school and in life. 

Schedule a tour to learn more about our highly trained teachers, safe and secure facilities, and commitment to providing the highest quality care. Contact a New Horizon Academy childcare center near you today! 

How to Teach Gratitude at Home

Cara Johnson-Bader, Vice President of Marketing and Parent Experiences at New Horizon Academy recently wrote an article in Idaho Family Magazine sharing tips for teaching children how to be grateful. The article highlights ways to set a positive example, book recommendations, volunteering ideas, and more, all of which contribute to teaching gratefulness.

Grateful child hugging her dad

Click here to read all the ways you can teach gratitude at home.

50% Off Childcare Enrollment at New Horizon Academy in Iowa

Iowa Area Director Kelena Bonnell was recently featured on Iowa Live to announce that New Horizon Academy is offering a special promotion in Iowa: 50% enrollment for your child’s first 4 weeks!

Kelena also shared tips for making on-the-go book bags to help get children excited about reading. Check out the reading tips in the video below!

New Horizon Academy is a nationally recognized early learning provider with over 90 daycare centers in Minnesota, Colorado, Iowa, Idaho, and Kansas. Through play-based curriculum and high-quality childcare, New Horizon Academy schools nurture and prepare children to succeed in school and in life. 

Schedule a tour to learn more about our highly trained teachers, safe and secure facilities, and commitment to providing the highest quality care. Contact a New Horizon Academy childcare center near you today! 

New Horizon Academy Childcare Center Coming to Crystal, Minnesota

CCX Media recently announced new childcare centers coming to the northwest metro, including a brand-new New Horizon Academy in Crystal, Minnesota.

preschool child holding binoculars

Our Crystal location will be located at 7000 57th Avenue and will join over 90 New Horizon Academy schools across Minnesota, Colorado, Iowa, Idaho, and Kansas. The preschool and early education center will care for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years.

To learn more about New Horizon Academy and our highly trained teachers, safe and secure facilities, and commitment to providing the highest quality care, visit our website.

Contact New Horizon Academy

New Horizon Academy Preschool Graduates are Ready for Kindergarten

A recent kindergarten readiness assessment by Teaching Strategies® GOLD® shows that over 90 percent of New Horizon Academy pre-k graduates meet or exceed kindergarten readiness expectations across all learning domains. These positive results confirm that New Horizon Academy effectively prepares children with essential school readiness skills, allowing children to confidently enter Kindergarten with a strong educational foundation.

New Horizon Academy pre-kindergarten program kindergarten readiness assessment results

Preparing children for academic success is of vital importance at New Horizon Academy. Our preschool and early learning programs use a research-based curriculum to provide children with key skills within the six core areas of learning: literacy, mathematics, social and emotional development, physical development, cognitive development, and language development. To learn more about our highly-rated preschool programs and our commitment to ensuring exceptional kindergarten readiness, click here.

How to Make a Pumpkin Volcano | New Horizon Academy Featured on Iowa Live

Iowa Area Director Kelena Bonnell was recently featured on Iowa Live to share some exciting news. New Horizon Academy is soon opening their sixth school in Iowa, bringing high-quality early education and childcare to Urbandale!

Kelena also shared how to make a pumpkin volcano and the benefits of how this kind of play can benefit children. Find the full instructions on how to make a pumpkin volcano at home on our blog, along with other fun pumpkin science experiments including:

New Horizon Academy is a nationally recognized early learning provider with over 90 daycare centers in Minnesota, Colorado, Iowa, Idaho, and Kansas. Through play-based curriculum and high-quality childcare, New Horizon Academy schools nurture and prepare children to succeed in school and in life. 

Schedule a tour to learn more about our highly trained teachers, safe and secure facilities, and commitment to providing the highest quality care. Contact a New Horizon Academy childcare center near you today! 

New Horizon Academy Now Open in Olathe

OLATHE, Kans. – New Horizon Academy recently opened a new childcare center in Olathe, Kansas, bringing high-quality care and early education to families who work and live in Johnson County.

The building is newly constructed, with well-equipped classrooms, indoor and outdoor play areas, and state-of-the-art security features that are designed to provide children with the best possible environment for learning and growth.

New Horizon Academy childcare in Olathe Kansas

At the Olathe New Horizon Academy, highly-qualified teachers will care for children aged 6 weeks through 5 years. Children in all age groups, from infants through pre-kindergarten, will learn through an age-appropriate curriculum that focuses on literacy, STEAM, character development, and building a love of learning that will prepare them for kindergarten – and beyond!

“Our mission is to provide the best possible learning environment for children during their critical early years,” said Chad Dunkley, CEO of New Horizon Academy. “We are thrilled to be bringing our high-quality childcare and early learning programs to the children and families of Olathe and Johnson County.”

The Olathe school is located at 15251 S. Black Bob Rd., Olathe, KS, 66062. To learn more, visit https://www.newhorizonacademy.net/location/olathe-ks/.

About New Horizon Academy

New Horizon Academy has been serving children and families since 1971. With over 90 locations in Minnesota, Colorado, Iowa, Idaho, and Kansas, New Horizon Academy provides highly trained teachers, a proven curriculum, and safe and secure facilities. The principles and practices of New Horizon Academy focus on helping children develop a healthy sense of self and preparing them for kindergarten and beyond. For more information, call 763-557-1111 or visit newhorizonacademy.net.

New Horizon Academy Celebrates the Grand Re-Opening of their Prior Lake School

New Horizon Academy recently celebrated the grand-reopening and remodel of their Prior Lake school with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The local Prior Lake chamber and Mayor Kirt Briggs joined and supported New Horizon Academy on this special day.

Ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate grand re-opening of New Horizon Academy prior lake school

The early childhood education and childcare center is conveniently located in Prior Lake, Minnesota, off of County Road 42 and Pike Lake Trail NE, and serves children ages 6 weeks to 10 years.

Schedule a tour of New Horizon Academy’s newly-remodeled Prior Lake school today!

New Horizon Academy Shares Kid-Friendly Recipes on Iowa Live

Cooking is a great activity to help children learn important skills such as math, language development, and fine motor. Join our Iowa Area Director Kelena Bonnell as she shares fun and easy recipes you can make with your child on Iowa Live.

For more kid-friendly recipes, check out some of New Horizon Academy’s favorite Kids Cuisine recipes in our Family Resource Library!

New Horizon Academy is a nationally recognized early learning provider with over 90 daycare centers in Minnesota, Colorado, Iowa, Idaho, and Kansas. Through play-based curriculum and high-quality childcare, New Horizon Academy schools nurture and prepare children to succeed in school and in life. 

Schedule a tour to learn more about our highly trained teachers, safe and secure facilities, and commitment to providing the highest quality care. Contact a New Horizon Academy childcare center near you today! 

New Horizon Academy’s Parenting Pickup Podcast Named Best Childcare Podcast

Player FM, a podcast discovery app, recently added New Horizon Academy’s Parenting Pickup Podcast to their list of best childcare podcasts. Families can use this list as a way to explore and discover a variety of leading topics on parenting, children, and early education.

Parenting Pickup Podcast by New Horizon Academy

Check out our Parenting Pickup Podcast for valuable tips on potty training, kindergarten readiness, meaningful play, and much more! Each episode features a special guest with early childhood and education expertise to help answer your challenging parenting questions.

Listen to Parenting Pickup Podcast

Why New Horizon Academy Opened a New Daycare in Downtown Minneapolis

We’re sure you’re wondering…Why did we choose to open a new school in downtown Minneapolis when there are so few employees working downtown? Axios Twin Cities recently shared an article explaining exactly why. Check it out here.

toddler classroom at New Horizon Academy childcare in downtown Minneapolis

To schedule a tour or see inside our infant, toddler, and preschool classrooms in downtown Minneapolis, visit our website.

New Horizon Academy Opens New School in Aurora, Colorado

PLYMOUTH, Minn. – New Horizon Academy has opened a new childcare center in Aurora, Colorado, bringing an additional option for high quality early education and care to children and families throughout the Denver area. The Aurora school is the sixth New Horizon Academy to open in Colorado, with a school in Parker scheduled to open later this year.

The new Aurora school, which opened to families on August 28, 2023, will care for and educate children ages 6 weeks through 5 years. The brand-new school features state-of-the-art classrooms that are thoughtfully designed to enhance learning through play, as well as unique outdoor and indoor play areas to encourage movement and spur creativity. Dedicated teachers will lead children through an age-appropriate curriculum that focuses on social-emotional development, literacy and STEAM concepts, and establishing a deep love of learning.

New Horizon Academy childcare center in Aurora, Colorado

“We are thrilled to bring our high-quality childcare and early learning programs to the families of Aurora,” said Chad Dunkley, CEO of New Horizon Academy. “We believe in providing the best possible learning environment for children during their formative years, and are honored to provide that to Colorado children and families.”

The Aurora New Horizon Academy facility is located at 21600 Quincy Avenue, Aurora, CO 80015. To learn more about the Aurora center, visit newhorizonacademy.net/location/aurora-co/.

About New Horizon Academy

New Horizon Academy has been serving children and families since 1971. With over 90 locations in Colorado, Minnesota, Iowa, Idaho, and Kansas, New Horizon Academy provides highly trained teachers, a proven curriculum, and safe and secure facilities. The principles and practices of New Horizon Academy focus on helping children develop a healthy sense of self and preparing them for kindergarten and beyond.

New Horizon Academy is a nationally recognized high-quality early learning provider. All eligible centers are accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the gold standard in the childcare industry. New Horizon Academy’s mission is to provide the best child development on the planet.

For more information, call 763-557-1111 or visit newhorizonacademy.net.

New Horizon Academy School Directors Share Tips to Find Quality Childcare on Iowa Live

A few of our Iowa directors, Kelena Bonnell, Tara Konecne, and Darby Hayslett, were recently featured on Iowa Live to share tips on what you should look for when touring local daycare centers. From health and safety guidelines to teachers and staff, curriculum, accreditation, and family involvement, there are a lot of factors that make up a high-quality school.

For more information about New Horizon Academy’s high-quality learning programs for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-agers, click here.

To download our Quality Childcare Checklist, click here.

New Horizon Academy is a nationally recognized early learning provider with over 90 daycare centers in Minnesota, Colorado, Iowa, Idaho, and Kansas. Through play-based curriculum and high-quality childcare, New Horizon Academy schools nurture and prepare children to succeed in school and in life. 

Schedule a tour to learn more about our highly trained teachers, safe and secure facilities, and commitment to providing the highest quality care. Contact a New Horizon Academy childcare center near you today! 

Brand-New Minneapolis School Featured on KSTP Channel 5 News

KSTP-TV recently showcased our brand-new school that just opened in downtown Minneapolis! The news segment featured our state-of-the-art classrooms for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.

Schedule a tour to learn more about our highly trained teachers, safe and secure facilities, and commitment to providing the highest quality care.

Schedule a Tour

New Horizon Academy Named Minnesota’s Best Childcare

New Horizon Academy has been named a Gold Winner for Best Childcare in Minnesota and a Silver Winner for Best Preschool in Minnesota in the Minneapolis Star Tribune’s annual Minnesota’s Best awards. This marks the second consecutive year that New Horizon Academy has been recognized as one of Minnesota’s best childcare providers.

“The Minnesota’s Best awards are voted on by the public, which makes this recognition especially meaningful,” said Chad Dunkley, New Horizon Academy CEO. “It is a testament to the meaningful connections our teachers and staff make with families, and the excellent care and education they provide to every child at New Horizon Academy.”

This achievement was possible because of all the love, care, and dedication our early childhood educators provide to children and families each and every day. Thank you for making us Minnesota’s best!

New Horizon Academy named Star Tribune's 2023 Gold Winner for Minnesota's Best childcare!

About Minnesota’s Best

The annual Minnesota’s Best awards is an audience-driven contest aimed at bringing visibility to local companies who provide significant value and service to clients and customers. Businesses were nominated by owners, managers, customers, and fans. Voting, which is open to the public, took place over 24 days in the spring of 2023, with results announced on August 13, 2023.

For a full list of winners, visit votedminnesotasbest.com.

About New Horizon Academy

New Horizon Academy has been serving children and families since 1971. With over 90 locations in Colorado, Minnesota, Iowa, Idaho, and Kansas, New Horizon Academy provides highly trained teachers, a proven curriculum, and safe and secure facilities. The principles and practices of New Horizon Academy focus on helping children develop a healthy sense of self and preparing them for lifelong learning.

New Horizon Academy is a nationally recognized high-quality early learning provider. All eligible centers are accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the gold standard in the childcare industry. New Horizon Academy’s mission is to provide the best child development on the planet.

New Horizon Academy Now Open in Downtown Minneapolis

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – New Horizon Academy has opened a new childcare center in the Downtown East neighborhood of Minneapolis, bringing high-quality early education and childcare to families who work and live in downtown Minneapolis.

The Minneapolis school, which opened to families on August, 7, 2023, will care for and educate children ages 6 weeks through 5 years. The brand-new childcare facility features state-of-the-art, well-equipped classrooms that are thoughtfully designed to enhance learning through play. The new playground will encourage movement and exploration in the urban environment of downtown Minneapolis.

Highly trained early childhood teachers will lead children through an age-appropriate curriculum that focuses on literacy, social-emotional learning, STEAM concepts, establishing a love of learning, and preparing children for kindergarten and beyond.

New Horizon Academy toddler classroom at brand-new downtown Minneapolis childcare

The Minneapolis Downtown East school is located at 655 5th Ave. S. in downtown Minneapolis, on the ground floor of the Moment Apartments. The school is conveniently located within walking distance of several nearby businesses, such as Thrivent, Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis City Hall, Hennepin County Government Center, U.S. Bank Stadium, and many hotels and restaurants.

New Horizon Academy is proud to be part of the revitalization of Downtown Minneapolis, and aims to become an invaluable part of the Downtown East community.

“We believe in providing the best possible learning environment for children during their formative years,” said Chad Dunkley, CEO of New Horizon Academy. “We are thrilled to be bringing our high-quality childcare and early learning programs to more Minneapolis families.”

To learn more, visit https://www.newhorizonacademy.net/location/minneapolis-downtown-east/.

See Inside Our Classrooms

About New Horizon Academy

New Horizon Academy has been serving children and families since 1971. With over 90 locations in Minnesota, Colorado, Iowa, Idaho, and Kansas, New Horizon Academy provides highly trained teachers, a proven curriculum, and safe and secure facilities. The principles and practices of New Horizon Academy focus on helping children develop a healthy sense of self and preparing them for kindergarten and beyond. For more information, call 763-557-1111 or visit newhorizonacademy.net.

2023 Educators of Excellence Luncheon Recognizes Outstanding Early Childhood Teachers

Earlier this month, New Horizon Academy had the honor of recognizing some of their most exceptional early childhood teachers at the 2023 Educators of Excellence Luncheon.

To become an Educator of Excellence, teachers must have five or more years of continuous service with New Horizon Academy, consistently show exemplary leadership, and have been a previous two-time Teacher of Distinction. Each of these educators go above and beyond each and every day to provide the very best learning for the children in their care.

Thank you, early childhood educators, for dedicating your careers to shaping bright futures and spreading the joy of learning. Congratulations to all of our 2023 Educators of Excellence!

New Horizon Academy's 2023 Educators of Excellence at Educators of Excellence Luncheon

Explore our careers page for current job openings and find out how you can become a leader in early childhood education today!

New Horizon Academy Signs AARP Employer Pledge

New Horizon Academy is proud to announce that it has signed the AARP Employer Pledge. In doing so, we joined more than 1,000 companies of all sizes and across industries in committing to building an age-inclusive workforce.

Why New Horizon Academy Signed the AARP Employer Pledge

At New Horizon Academy, we know that our greatest asset is the kind, creative and dedicated teachers and staff who care for children in our schools every day. This is why we were proud to sign the AARP Employer Pledge, signifying that we are an equal opportunity workplace for employees of all ages.

New Horizon Academy is proud to announce our AARP partnership!

In signing the AARP Employer Pledge, New Horizon Academy publicly stated our commitment to providing equal opportunities to all workers, no matter their age, and to placing a high value on experienced workers.

“We believe in equal opportunity for all workers, regardless of age, and that 50+ workers should have a level playing field in their ability to compete for and obtain jobs. Recognizing the value of experienced workers, we pledge to recruit across diverse age groups and to consider all applicants on an equal basis as we hire for positions within our organization.”

Are you ready to explore early childhood employment opportunities with New Horizon Academy? Explore open childcare positions here, or text TEACH to (763) 557-1111 to be connected to a recruiter. We can’t wait to meet you!

Employment Opportunities

New Horizon Academy is a nationally recognized early learning provider with over 90 schools in Minnesota, Colorado, Iowa, Idaho, and Kansas. Through play-based curriculum and high-quality daycare, New Horizon Academy childcare centers nurture and prepare children to succeed in school and in life.

Schedule a tour to learn more about our highly trained teachers, safe and secure facilities, and commitment to providing the highest quality care. Contact a New Horizon Academy daycare center near you today!

New Horizon Academy Partners with Doing Good Together to Host Family Service Fairs New Horizon Academy child holding a snack pack they put together for Doing Good Together's Family Service Event

New Horizon Academy recently partnered with Doing Good Together to host family service nights at our East St. Paul and Maplewood childcare centers. Families came together to complete a variety of service-learning projects for local organizations. Combined, the schools made 86 cat toys, 23 book bags, 27 jewelry kits, 30 snack packs, and 17 meal bags. The events were a huge success and gave families the opportunity to give back to their own community.

Doing Good Together Family Service Fair Results

These family service fairs were part of New Horizon Academy’s Caring Beyond the Classroom initiative. The program was created as a way to make a difference in our communities and teach children about the importance of social responsibility, empathy, kindness, and compassion towards others.

We thank all of the families that came to volunteer. We also thank Doing Good Together for preparing the service-learning projects.

To learn more about New Horizon Academy’s Caring Beyond the Classroom initiative and ways you can volunteer, click here.

New Horizon Academy is a nationally recognized early learning provider with over 90 schools in Minnesota, Colorado, Iowa, Idaho, and Kansas. Through play-based curriculum and high-quality daycare, New Horizon Academy childcare centers nurture and prepare children to succeed in school and in life.

Schedule a tour to learn more about our highly trained teachers, safe and secure facilities, and commitment to providing the highest quality care. Contact a New Horizon Academy daycare center near you today!

New Horizon Academy Shares Kindergarten Readiness Tips in Idaho Family Magazine

“Is my child ready for kindergarten?” “What steps should I take to help them get ready?”

Cara Johnson-Bader, Vice President of Marketing and Parent Experiences at New Horizon Academy, recently shared a few kindergarten readiness tips in Idaho Family Magazine. The article highlights a variety of easy, everyday things parents can do to help children develop key skills they need for kindergarten.

Some of the tasks are as simple as allowing your child to help decide what they want to wear or encouraging them to count the number of socks you take out of the dryer. The idea is that you don’t need fancy materials or expensive programs in order for your child to succeed.

To read the full article and find out the 10 most impactful things you can do to prepare your child for kindergarten, click here.

pre-k students tossing graduation hats up in the air to celebrate going off to kindergarten

You can also find more kindergarten readiness tips on New Horizon Academy’s Parenting Pickup Podcast

New Horizon Academy is a nationally recognized early learning provider with programs for infants, toddlers, preschool, and school-age children. Our childcare centers use research-based curriculum to prepare children with language, early literacy, math, social and emotional, physical, cognitive, and executive functioning skills necessary for success.

Explore New Horizon Academy’s nationally accredited pre-kindergarten program or schedule a tour to learn more about our highly trained teachers, safe and secure facilities, and commitment to providing the highest quality care. Contact a New Horizon Academy daycare center near you today!

How to Encourage Outdoor Learning at Home | New Horizon Academy Featured on Iowa Live

At New Horizon Academy, we believe in the power of outdoor learning. Our playgrounds and outdoor classrooms allow children to move and interact with nature while learning valuable life skills. From reading, to math, to STEAM experiments and more, there are many educational activities children can enjoy outside.

New Horizon Academy Iowa Area Director Kelena Bonnell was recently featured on Iowa Live to share tips on how outdoor learning can also be enjoyed at home! Explore simple outdoor activities we have available in our Family Resource Library:

For more ideas on how to spark your child’s love for the outdoors, check out our blog!

New Horizon Academy is a nationally recognized early learning provider with over 90 daycare centers in Minnesota, Colorado, Iowa, Idaho, and Kansas. Through play-based curriculum and high-quality childcare, New Horizon Academy schools nurture and prepare children to succeed in school and in life. 

Schedule a tour to learn more about our highly trained teachers, safe and secure facilities, and commitment to providing the highest quality care. Contact a New Horizon Academy childcare center near you today! 

7 New Horizon Academy Schools Receive Accreditation

New Horizon Academy is proud to announce that seven of our nationally recognized schools achieved accreditation during the second quarter of 2023. Six of these schools were accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). One school received accreditation through the National Early Childhood Program Accreditation (NECPA).

Accreditation is an important distinction awarded to schools that exhibit compliance with the highest standards of quality in childcare and early education programs. The accreditation process is conducted by an outside organization that performs classroom visits, health and safety checks, and careful program assessments to determine whether or not accreditation will be granted. Childcare centers that have passed the assessment receive accreditation for a five-year term.

What does accreditation mean for your child?

  • The highest quality in education and developmental programs for young children
  • Increased school-readiness skills and greater success in school
  • The best practices in early childhood education
  • The best practices in health and safety
  • Standards that far exceed the highest requirements for state licensing
Congratulations to our nationally accredited schools

Congratulations to our Accredited and Reaccredited Schools!

Find a school near you to see inside New Horizon Academy’s nationally accredited classrooms!

Andover Teacher Celebrates 30 Years with New Horizon Academy

Ms. Mel, one of our wonderful teachers at our Andover school, is celebrating 30 years with New Horizon Academy! Thank you for making a difference each and every day in the lives of our youngest learners. Happy anniversary!

Teacher Mel celebrates 30-year anniversary with New Horizon Academy

Chad Dunkley Advocates for Affordable and Accessible Childcare at MCCA Conference

Chad Dunkley speaking at 19th annual Minnesota Child Care Association Conference at Normandale Community College

On Tuesday, June 13th, New Horizon Academy CEO Chad Dunkley attended the 19th annual Minnesota Child Care Association (MCCA) Conference at Normandale Community College with New Horizon Academy directors and home office employees. The MCCA is a statewide organization that strives to make high-quality childcare both affordable and accessible for Minnesota families.

Dunkley joined Clare Sanford, New Horizon Academy Vice President of Government and Community Relations, to discuss the impact of Minnesota legislation on childcare centers across the state. They outlined how childcare assistance programs, early learning scholarships, and childcare tax credits can help allow childcare centers to meet the diverse needs of families in Minnesota.

New Horizon Academy Human Resource Director of Employee Relations and Recruitment, Kat Butler, also presented on the importance of effective employee communication for providing families with an exceptional childcare experience.

To conclude the conference, Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan came to thank early childhood providers for the important role they play in the role of children.

New Horizon Academy is proud to support MCCA’s mission to make high-quality childcare an integral part of Minnesota’s early education system.

Iowa Live Spotlights New Horizon Academy’s Health and Wellness Tips for Kids

Iowa Area Director Kelena Bonnell was recently featured on Iowa Live to share kid-friendly health and wellness resources for families to use at home. As an Eco-Healthy Child Care® center, New Horizon Academy incorporates numerous health and wellness activities within our daycare centers to promote physical activity and healthy eating.

New Horizon Academy has created a variety of resources to help families extend this healthy lifestyle at home. These health and wellness resources include:

You can find more kids’ fitness activities and parenting resources on bedtime routines and other healthy habits in our Family Resource Library.

For more information about how New Horizon Academy ensures health and safety is the top priority for each of our 90+ childcare centers across the United States, visit our website.

New Horizon Academy Named 2023 Top Workplace

New Horizon Academy has been named one of the Top 200 Workplaces in Minnesota by the Star Tribune. A complete list of those selected is available on Star Tribune and was published in the Star Tribune Top Workplaces special section on Sunday, June 18.

Produced by the same team that compiles the 32-year-old Star Tribune 100 report of the best-performing public companies in Minnesota, Top Workplaces recognizes the most progressive companies in Minnesota based on employee opinions measuring engagement, organizational health, and satisfaction. The analysis included responses from 124,719 employees at Minnesota public, private and nonprofit organizations.

New Horizon Academy named a Star Tribune 2023 Top Workplace

“New Horizon Academy is honored to be selected as one of Top 200 Workplaces in Minnesota,” said Chad Dunkley, New Horizon Academy CEO. “It is a testament to the company’s values of respect, integrity, excellence, innovation, leadership, and teamwork. We are proud of our teachers, and it is a privilege to provide a workplace that allows them to grow and thrive. Our teachers do the world’s most important work, and they are our company’s most valuable assets.”

Star Tribune CEO and Publisher Steve Grove said, “The companies in the Star Tribune Top 200 Workplaces deserve high praise for creating the very best work environments in the state of Minnesota. My congratulations to each of these exceptional companies.”

Interested in working at one of Minnesota’s top workplaces? Apply today to join our team of early childhood educators!

Assistant Director at Richfield – Best Buy School Celebrates 20 Years with New Horizon Academy

Rachel, the Assistant Director at our Richfield – Best Buy school, is celebrating 20 years with New Horizon Academy! Thank you for your many years of love, dedication, and care. Our children love you, and so do we! Happy anniversary!

New Horizon Academy's Assistant Director at Richfield Best Buy school, Rachel, celebrates 20-year anniversary with New Horizon Academy

New Horizon Academy to Open New Downtown Minneapolis School

New Horizon Academy Childcare Center Coming Soon to Downtown Minneapolis

New Horizon Academy is opening a new childcare center in the Downtown East neighborhood of Minneapolis, bringing high-quality early education and childcare to families who work and live in downtown Minneapolis.

The Minneapolis school, which is scheduled to open in July 2023, will care for and educate children ages 6 weeks through 5 years. The brand-new childcare facility features state-of-the-art, well-equipped classrooms that are thoughtfully designed to enhance learning through play. The new playground will encourage movement and exploration in the urban environment of downtown Minneapolis.

Highly trained early childhood teachers will lead children through an age-appropriate curriculum that focuses on character development, STEAM concepts, establishing a love of learning, and preparing children for kindergarten and beyond.

The Minneapolis Downtown East school is located at 655 5th Ave. S. in downtown Minneapolis, on the ground floor of the Moment Apartments. The school is conveniently located within walking distance of several nearby businesses, such as Thrivent, Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis City Hall, Hennepin County Government Center, U.S. Bank Stadium, and many hotels and restaurants.

“We believe in providing the best possible learning environment for children during their formative years,” said Chad Dunkley, CEO of New Horizon Academy. “We are thrilled to be bringing our high-quality childcare and early learning programs to more Minneapolis families.”

To learn more, visit https://www.newhorizonacademy.net/location/minneapolis-downtown-east/.

New Horizon Academy Featured in Idaho Family Magazine

Cara Johnson-Bader, Vice President of Marketing and Parent Experiences at New Horizon Academy

Cara Johnson-Bader, Vice President of Marketing and Parent Experiences at New Horizon Academy, recently wrote an article that was featured in Idaho Family Magazine. As National Road Trip Day approaches, the article shares helpful tips for traveling with children. Some of the tips include:

  • Planning for breaks
  • Packing snacks
  • Playing games
  • Listening to an audio book or podcast
  • Setting realistic expectations

Read the full article to find out how your family can navigate long road trips with young children!

Looking for other great parenting tips and tricks? Check out New Horizon Academy’s Family Resource Library for parenting tips, recipes, family fun activities, learning activities, and other tools to add to your parenting toolbox!

New Horizon Academy to Provide Access to High Quality Early Education in Aurora, Colorado

New Horizon Academy Childcare Center Coming Soon to Aurora Colorado

New Horizon Academy will open a new childcare center in Aurora, Colorado, bringing high quality early education and childcare to children and families throughout the region.

The new Aurora school, which is scheduled to open in summer 2023, will care for and educate children ages 6 weeks through 5 years. The facility features state-of-the-art, well-equipped classrooms and playgrounds that are thoughtfully designed to enhance learning through play. Highly trained teachers will lead children through an age-appropriate curriculum that focuses on character development, STEAM concepts, and establishing a love of learning.

“We believe in providing the best possible learning environment for children during their formative years,” said Chad Dunkley, CEO of New Horizon Academy. “We are thrilled to be bringing our high-quality childcare and early learning programs to the families of Aurora and surrounding regions.”

The Aurora New Horizon Academy facility will be located at 21600 Quincy Avenue, Aurora, CO 80015. To learn more about the Aurora center, visit newhorizonacademy.net/location/aurora-co/.

Regional Training Director Celebrates 30 Years with New Horizon Academy

New Horizon Academy’s Regional Training Director, Mary, is celebrating 30 years with New Horizon Academy during the month of May! She is appreciated for sharing her wisdom and experience with our school leaders. Happy anniversary, Mary!

New Horizon Academy's Regional Training Director, Mary, celebrates 30-year anniversary with New Horizon Academy

Kelena Bonnell Featured on Iowa Live to Share Summer Learning Activities for Children

At New Horizon Academy, curriculum is used year-round to prepare children for lifelong learning. Iowa Area Director Kelena Bonnell was recently featured on Iowa Live to share fun activity ideas for children to continue their learning into the summer. Check out the video for some fun summer-themed projects such as: upcycled flower planterbean sprout STEAM experimentwater cycle experimentplant journal, and gardening books.

You can also find easy and delicious kids’ cuisine recipes discussed in the video on New Horizon Academy’s blog. Here are a few favorites mentioned in the video:

Explore New Horizon Academy’s website for more great educational activities and to learn more about our researched-based curriculum for infants, toddlers, preschool, and school-age children.

New Horizon Academy Holds Annual Teacher of Distinction Banquet

On Saturday, April 22nd, New Horizon Academy celebrated 42 awesome early childhood educators at the 2023 Teacher of Distinction Banquet in Minnesota. New Horizon Academy recognized 38 Teachers of Distinction, 3 Educators of Excellence, and 1 Kitchen Manager of Distinction.

Each of these educators consistently go above and beyond and show exceptional leadership skills, responsibility, and dedication in our schools and classrooms. Congratulations, Early Childhood Educators!

CEO Chad Dunkley speaking at 2023 Teacher of Distinction Banquet in Minnesota

Explore our careers page for current job openings and find out how you can become a leader in early childhood education today!

New Horizon Academy Employees Package 9,000+ Meals for Feed My Starving Children

The marketing team from New Horizon Academy’s home office in Plymouth, Minnesota recently volunteered at Feed My Starving Children during April’s Global Volunteer Month.

Feed My Starving Children is a non-profit organization that works with volunteers and donors to distribute nutritious meals to starving children in developing countries. In just two hours, the team helped package 9,072 meals – enough to feed 25 children a daily meal for an entire year!

New Horizon Academy marketing team volunteering at Feed My Starving Children in Chanhassen, Minnesota

To learn more about New Horizon Academy’s Caring Beyond the Classroom initiative and ways you can volunteer, click here.

New Horizon Academy Schools Named Best Childcare in 2023 Reader’s Choice Awards

New Horizon Academy is pleased to announce that several of its schools have been named Readers’ Choice – Best Childcare by the readers of Sun Newspapers. These annual awards recognize and exemplify the excellence of local businesses and are voted on by members of the community.

The winning New Horizon Academy schools are located in Apple Valley, Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Eden Prairie, Eagan, Minnetonka, Excelsior, Edina, Lakeville, Richfield, Bloomington, and Burnsville.

“This award recognizes the hard work of our dedicated directors, teachers, and staff,” said Chad Dunkley, Chief Executive Officer of New Horizon Academy. “We are grateful for their commitment to the children in their care and the families in their community, and we congratulate them on this well-deserved honor!”

Sun Newspapers is operated by Hometown Source, a media collective with multiple local newspapers in the Twin Cities region. For more information, visit hometownsource.com.

Chad Dunkley and New Horizon Academy corporate office staff deliver Readers Choice Award plaque to Richfield Best Buy school

New Horizon Academy has been serving children and families since 1971. With over 90 locations in Colorado, Minnesota, Iowa, Idaho, and Kansas, New Horizon Academy provides highly trained teachers, a proven curriculum, and safe and secure facilities. The principles and practices of New Horizon Academy focus on helping children develop a healthy sense of self and preparing them for kindergarten and beyond.

New Horizon Academy is a nationally recognized high-quality early learning provider. All eligible centers are accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the gold standard in the childcare industry. New Horizon Academy’s mission is to provide the best child development on the planet. Schedule a tour today at a school near you.

New Horizon Academy Donates Over 9,000 Books to Reach Out and Read

During the month of February, New Horizon Academy schools across Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, and Minnesota held an annual book drive in honor of I Love to Read Month. Children, families, and staff worked together to collect new and gently used children’s books for Reach Out and Read, a US nonprofit that promotes reading and early literacy.

As a result, New Horizon Academy schools collected 9,318 books throughout February 2023. This number helps contribute to New Horizon Academy’s running total contribution of over 75,000 book donations since 2012! This book drive was part of New Horizon Academy’s Caring Beyond the Classroom initiative.

New Horizon Academy schools collected 9,318 books this year, and we have donated over 75,000 books since 2012.

Explore some other ways New Horizon Academy celebrated I Love to Read Month with these reading resources.

Find out how you and your family can get involved with New Horizon Academy’s Caring Beyond the Classroom initiative.

Kelena Bonnell Shares At-Home Kids Activity Ideas on Iowa Live

Iowa Area Director Kelena Bonnell was recently featured on Iowa Live to share some fun activities you can do with your children this spring. These activities are inspired by New Horizon Academy teachers, who use these as part of their research-based curriculum, and are designed to prepare children for kindergarten and beyond.

Explore some of the kid-friendly activities discussed in the video below. 

New Horizon Academy is a nationally recognized early learning provider with over 90 schools in Minnesota, Colorado, Iowa, Idaho, and Kansas. Through play-based curriculum and high-quality daycare, New Horizon Academy schools nurture and prepare children to succeed in school and in life. 

Schedule a tour to learn more about our highly trained teachers, safe and secure facilities, and commitment to providing the highest quality care. Contact a New Horizon Academy childcare center near you today! 

12 New Horizon Academy Schools Receive Accreditation

New Horizon Academy is proud to announce that 12 of our nationally recognized schools achieved accreditation during the first quarter of 2023. Four of these schools were newly accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Six of the schools received reaccreditation through NAEYC, and two schools were reaccredited by the National Early Childhood Program Accreditation (NECPA).

Accreditation is an important distinction awarded to schools that exhibit compliance with the highest standards of quality in childcare and early education programs. The accreditation process is conducted by an outside organization that performs classroom visits, health and safety checks, and careful program assessments to determine whether or not accreditation will be granted. Childcare centers that have passed the assessment receive accreditation for a five-year term.

What does accreditation mean for your child?

  • The highest quality in education and developmental programs for young children
  • Increased school-readiness skills and greater success in school
  • The best practices in early childhood education
  • The best practices in health and safety
  • Standards that far exceed the highest requirements for state licensing

 

Congratulations to our nationally accredited schools

Congratulations to our NAEYC newly-accredited schools!

Congratulations to our NAEYC reaccredited schools!

Congratulations to our NECPA reaccredited schools!

Find a school near you to see inside New Horizon Academy’s nationally accredited classrooms!

4 Iowa Teachers Named New Horizon Academy Teachers of Distinction

On Tuesday, March 28th, four New Horizon Academy childcare teachers in Iowa were recognized as 2023 Teachers of Distinction.

Becoming a Teacher of Distinction is a notable achievement that takes a special recommendation from a supervisor to receive. These teachers consistently go above and beyond and show exceptional leadership skills, responsibility, and reliability in the classroom.

New Horizon Academy is proud to celebrate Iowa’s 2023 Teachers of Distinction. Congratulations, Early Childhood Educators!

Iowa 2023 Teachers of Distinction at New Horizon Academy

Explore our careers page for current job openings and find out how you can become a leader in early childhood education today!

New Horizon Academy is a nationally recognized early learning provider with over 90 schools in Minnesota, Colorado, Iowa, Idaho, and Kansas. Through play-based curriculum and high-quality daycare, New Horizon Academy schools nurture and prepare children to succeed in school and in life.

Schedule a tour to learn more about our highly trained teachers, safe and secure facilities, and commitment to providing the highest quality care. Contact a New Horizon Academy childcare center near you today!

Chad Dunkley Featured on WJON News to Discuss Childcare Funding Opportunities

New Horizon Academy CEO Chad Dunkley New Horizon Academy CEO Chad Dunkley was recently featured in an article by St. Cloud’s WJON News. Chad discussed how Governor Tim Walz’s childcare funding proposal could have a huge impact on Minnesota families, and ultimately make daycare much more affordable across the state.

“We’re talking about investments in the childcare system that would make childcare more affordable for more Minnesota families,” Chad said to WJON’s Alex Svejkovsky, and there are proposals to increase compensation for early childhood educators.”

Read the full article here.

New Horizon Academy is a nationally recognized early learning provider with over 90 schools in Minnesota, Colorado, Iowa, Idaho, and Kansas. Through play-based curriculum and high-quality daycare, New Horizon Academy schools nurture and prepare children to succeed in school and in life.

Schedule a tour to learn more about our highly trained teachers, safe and secure facilities, and commitment to providing the highest quality care. Contact a New Horizon Academy childcare center near you today!

New Horizon Academy Featured in Idaho Family Magazine

New Horizon Academy featured in Idaho Family Magazine March/April 2023 Cara Johnson-Bader, Vice President of Marketing and Parent Experiences at New Horizon Academy recently wrote an article that was featured in Idaho Family Magazine.The article featured ways to prepare for daylight savings on March 12. While the time change can be difficult for families with young children, Cara offers a few tips on how to make the daylight savings transition smooth.

Read the full article to find out how your family can prepare for the upcoming time change here.

Looking for other great parenting tips and tricks? Check out New Horizon Academy’s Family Resource Library for parenting tips, recipes, family fun activities, learning activities, and other tools to add to your parenting toolbox!

New Horizon Academy Offers Career Opportunities with Comprehensive Benefits, Competitive Pay, and More

Iowa Area Director Kelena Bonnell was recently featured on Iowa Live to announce some incredible employment opportunities at New Horizon Academy. With five locations in Iowa and over 90 schools across the United States, New Horizon Academy is the perfect place to build a career in early childhood education.

New Horizon Academy is a growing company that offers a supportive work culture, beautiful classrooms, and nationally accredited programs. Employees also receive childcare discounts, tuition reimbursement opportunities, and a comprehensive benefits package. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k) plans with employer match, and much more!

To explore open positions and learn more about employee benefits, check out our careers page.

New Horizon Academy Recognizes 3 Colorado Teachers of Distinction

On Tuesday, February 28th, three New Horizon Academy childcare teachers in Colorado were recognized as 2023 Teachers of Distinction.

Becoming a Teacher of Distinction is a wonderful accomplishment and requires years of hard work. These teachers have each been nominated by their supervisors, and have consistently shown exceptional leadership, responsibility, and dedication as early childhood educators.

New Horizon Academy is proud to celebrate Colorado’s 2023 Teachers of Distinction. Congratulations, Early Childhood Educators!

Congratulations to New Horizon Academy's Colorado 2023 Teachers of Distinction

Explore our careers page for current job openings and find out how you can become a leader in early childhood education today!

New Horizon Academy is a nationally recognized early learning provider with over 90 schools in Minnesota, Colorado, Iowa, Idaho, and Kansas. Through play-based curriculum and high-quality daycare, New Horizon Academy schools nurture and prepare children to succeed in school and in life.

Schedule a tour to learn more about our highly trained teachers, safe and secure facilities, and commitment to providing the highest quality care. Contact a New Horizon Academy childcare center near you today!

Twin Cities Mom Collective Features New Horizon Academy as a Great Workplace for Parents

Looking for a career that offers a parent-friendly workplace? New Horizon Academy was recently featured in an article by Twin Cities Mom Collective, a local parenting resource for families. The article shares some of the many benefits of working at New Horizon Academy as a parent.

If you are having trouble juggling a career and parenthood, consider becoming a childcare teacher! A flexible, family-friendly schedule will help ease stress, and you’ll be able to keep your career and finances on track with good pay and opportunities for advancement. Plus, working in the same building as your child means getting to see them throughout the day!

Infant teachers caring for infants

Explore the 5 ways you, as a parent, can benefit by working at New Horizon Academy here.

New Horizon Academy is a nationally recognized early learning provider with over 90 schools in Minnesota, Colorado, Iowa, Idaho, and Kansas. Through play-based curriculum and high-quality daycare, New Horizon Academy schools nurture and prepare children to succeed in school and in life.

Find a school near you to browse open job opportunities and explore available learning programs for your child.

New Horizon Academy Employees Attend Annual Professional Development Summit

Every February, New Horizon Academy teachers and staff across Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, and Minnesota gather for a company-wide Professional Development Summit. This annual event gives employees the chance to broaden their knowledge in early childhood and strengthen their relationships with fellow team members.

“Power of Unity” was the theme of this year’s summit. More than 2,000 New Horizon Academy employees enjoyed a full day of team building, fun activities, and learning skills to create unity in the classroom.

Professional Development Summit day is a wonderful opportunity to strengthen the school family so teachers can continue providing the very best education for young children. Our employees thank everyone who made this day possible and successful!

Highlights from New Horizon Academy's February 2023 Professional Development Summit

New Horizon Academy is hiring! Looking for a career where you can make a difference in the lives of young children? Join our team of early childhood educators today!

To explore open positions across Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, and Minnesota, visit our careers page.

5 New Horizon Academy Teachers Named Teachers of Distinction

On Tuesday, February 7th, five New Horizon Academy childcare teachers were recognized as Idaho 2023 Teachers of Distinction.

Becoming a Teacher of Distinction is a high honor within the early childhood education industry. This award requires a special recommendation from a director or district manager and takes a lot of hard work and dedication to earn. Teachers of Distinction show exceptional leadership and responsibility skills, and consistently go above and beyond their normal job expectations in the classroom.

New Horizon Academy is proud to celebrate Idaho’s 2023 Teachers of Distinction. Congratulations, Early Childhood Educators!

Congratulations to New Horizon Academy's Idaho 2023 Teachers of Distinction

Explore our careers page for current job openings and find out how you can become a leader in early childhood education today!

New Horizon Academy is a nationally recognized early learning provider with over 90 schools in Minnesota, Colorado, Iowa, Idaho, and Kansas. Through play-based curriculum and high-quality daycare, New Horizon Academy schools nurture and prepare children to succeed in school and in life.

Schedule a tour to learn more about our highly trained teachers, safe and secure facilities, and commitment to providing the highest quality care. Contact a New Horizon Academy childcare center near you today!

Kelena Bonnell Featured on Iowa Live to Discuss Reading Activities for Kids

Iowa Area Director, Kelena Bonnell, was recently featured on Iowa Live to share reading activities young children can enjoy during February’s “I Love to Read Month.” Check out the video for tips on encouraging language and literacy skills through daily reading time, on-the-go book bags, and our “I Love to Read Month” calendar.

Check out our blog to find more great ideas for family reading activities!

New Horizon Academy is a nationally recognized early learning provider with over 90 schools in Minnesota, Colorado, Iowa, Idaho, and Kansas. Through play-based curriculum and high-quality daycare, New Horizon Academy schools nurture and prepare children to succeed in school and in life.

Schedule a tour to learn more about our highly trained teachers, safe and secure facilities, and commitment to providing the highest quality care. Contact a New Horizon Academy childcare center near you today!

New Horizon Academy Attends Annual MnAEYC Conference

On February 3-4, 2023, New Horizon Academy attended the Minnesota Association for the Education of Young Children (MnAEYC) state conference. This annual event provides early childhood educators, leaders, and strategic partners the opportunity to connect and engage with other individuals that share a passion for early childhood education.

We welcomed Minnesota educators to visit our booth and learn more about exciting early childhood career opportunities at New Horizon Academy. We also gave out some sweet prizes!

New Horizon Academy career both at MnAEYC 2023 conference

Explore New Horizon Academy’s current career opportunities on our careers page.

New Horizon Academy Featured on KARE 11

Clare Sanford, New Horizon Academy’s Director of Government and Community Relations, was recently interviewed on KARE 11. Clare discussed the child care funding proposals making their way through the Minnesota legislature, and how those proposed funds could benefit children and families across the state.

New Horizon Academy is hiring! To see our open positions, learn about benefits and hiring incentives, and apply, visit our careers page.

Winter Movement Activities the Entire Family Will Love

Our Area Director, Kelena Bonnell, joins Iowa Live to talk about different activities to do indoors and outdoors with your child during the wintertime.

Explore some of the winter activity resources discussed in the video below.

2022 Year in Review

As the year draws to a close, we wanted to look back at all of New Horizon Academy’s achievements in 2022. We would not have been able to accomplish these without the support of our amazing families and employees at New Horizon Academy. Here’s to 2023!

2022 Year in Review Infographic

New Horizon Academy Takes a Spin on Reading and Eating

Jeannine Laughlin and Kelena Bonnell join Iowa Live to talk about the importance of reading and cooking healthy nutritious meals together with children.

In this episode, you will learn how to make “Teddy Bear Toast” and a “Little Piggy Bagel Snack”, both inspired by the classic fairytales, “Goldilocks and the Three Bears”, and “The Three Little Pigs”.

For more great recipe ideas you can try with your child, check out New Horizon Academy’s Kid’s Cuisine blog.

 

New Horizon Academy Opens Their First Location in Kansas

New Horizon Academy, a family-owned and operated early childhood care provider, opened its doors to their first school in Kansas on Monday, November 14th, 2022. This brand-new daycare provider is located Leawood, Kansas at 3650 West 135th Street, Leawood, KS 66224. The new school joins over 80 other schools located in Minnesota, Colorado, Idaho, and Iowa.

New Horizon Academy in Leawood Kansas opens Monday November 14, 2022

New Horizon Academy is an early education and daycare provider that has been serving families since 1971. The schools provide highly trained teachers, a proven educational and creative curriculum, and safe daycare facilities. Their mission is to support children’s education and self-esteem and prepare them for what comes beyond the classroom, most notably providing the best child development on the planet. New Horizon Academy is a nationally recognized high-quality early education provider with accreditation by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the childcare industry’s gold standard.

Teachers at the brand-new Leawood New Horizon Academy location will care for and educate more than 180 children between the ages of 6 weeks and 5 years.  The daycare center is safe, well-equipped, and has age-appropriate classrooms for infants, toddlers, preschool, and pre-k children that enhance learning through play. The school will also feature safe and unique outdoor play spaces for the children to enjoy. You can take a peek inside the school’s beautiful classrooms and outdoor play areas through a free virtual tour.

For more information, call (913) 712-0899, email 5001@nhacademy.net, or visit New Horizon Academy Leawood’s website.

Twin Cities Mom Collective Shares 5 Tips to Finding the Perfect Childcare Center for Your Family

What does it take to find the best childcare center for your family? New Horizon Academy was featured in an article by Twin Cities Mom Collective, a locally-focused parenting resource for families, that shares 5 tips for what to consider when selecting a new childcare. These tips will allow your family to weigh crucial factors about a school before making this important decision for your child. Choosing the right fit for an early childhood education center can be overwhelming, but using this helpful guide will help ease the stress and navigate you into finding the perfect fit for your family.

Read the 5 tips on how to find the best childcare center for your family here.

happy parents talking with daycare teacher

Making a Pumpkin Volcano with Iowa Live

Our very own Jeannine Laughlin joins Iowa Live to emphasize the importance of getting kids engaged in STEAM activities & show us how to make a pumpkin volcano.

For more great STEAM activities, click here.

New Horizon Academy Named Minnesota’s Best Childcare of 2022

This September, New Horizon Academy had the honor of winning Star Tribune’s gold award for Minnesota’s Best Childcare of 2022. Over the course of 24 days, the public voted for who they thought should receive this recognition, and we are so honored that parents chose New Horizon Academy as the best childcare in Minnesota!

Paul Kasbohm, Star Tribune’s Chief Revenue Officer states, “As we celebrate another year of recognizing the people, places and businesses we love most in Minnesota, I’d like to especially thank our readers and our nominees for making this such an incredible success again this year!”

This achievement was possible because of all the love, care, and dedication our early childhood educators provide our children each day. Thank you for making us Minnesota’s best!

Star Tribune's Minnesota's Best Childcare 2022 Gold Winner

Click here to view the winners of all Star Tribune’s 2022 Minnesota’s Best categories.

New Horizon Academy’s Quality Child Care Checklist

What does quality childcare look like? New Horizon Academy’s Jeannine Laughlin joins Iowa Live to talk about what you should look for in quality childcare and offers a free checklist to help parents as they explore different childcare centers.

Quality Childcare Indicators include:
• Healthy and safe environment
• Interactions of teachers and children
• Curriculum
• Child assessment
• Licensing and accreditation
• Family involvement

Get a FREE copy of this checklist, along with a booklet and details on each of the indicators by visiting any of the New Horizon Academy locations in Des Moines, Johnston, West Des Moines, or Pella.

New Horizon Academy has Career Opportunities with Incredible Benefits

Our very own Jeannine Laughlin joins Iowa Live to talk about the unique opportunities available for individuals to advance their career by becoming part of the New Horizon Academy family. Learn about the fulfilling job opportunities & incredible benefit packages available for employees.

If you are looking for a new career and love working with kids, New Horizon Academy could be the perfect opportunity for you. Check out www.newhorizonacademy.net/careers for all our career opportunities for our 5 Iowa locations.

Career opportunities are also available for Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, and Minnesota.

 

Star Tribune Names New Horizon Academy a 2022 Top 200 Workplace

June 15, 2022— For the sixth consecutive year, New Horizon Academy, a leader in high-quality early education and child care programs, has been named one of the Top 200 Workplaces in Minnesota by the Star Tribune.

“New Horizon Academy is honored to receive the Top Workplaces award for the sixth year in a row,” said Chief Executive Officer, Chad Dunkley. “It is a testament to the company’s values of respect, integrity, excellence, innovation, leadership, and teamwork. We are proud of our teachers and employees, and it is a privilege to provide a workplace that allows them to grow and thrive and enjoy coming to work. Our teachers do the world’s most important work. They make a positive impact in the lives of children, their families, and our community.”

New Horizon Academy is a local, family-owned organization with more than 1,800 employees in the state of Minnesota including their home office in Plymouth, Minnesota. New Horizon Academy offers a full suite of benefits for their employees, including opportunities for educational advancement. New Horizon Academy is proud to support teachers seeking their Child Development Associate® (CDA) and Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education for free with no out-of-pocket costs. Start a career that makes a difference at New Horizon Academy today.

Produced by the same team that compiles the 31-year-old Star Tribune 100 report of the best-performing public companies in Minnesota, Top Workplaces recognizes the most progressive companies in Minnesota based on employee opinions measuring engagement, organizational health, and satisfaction. The analysis included responses from over 79,000 employees at Minnesota public, private and nonprofit organizations.

The rankings in the Star Tribune Top 200 Workplaces are based on survey information collected by Energage, an independent company specializing in employee engagement and retention.

New Horizon Academy was ranked #43 on the large company list.

Star Tribune Publisher Michael J. Klingensmith said, “The companies in the Star Tribune Top 200 Workplaces deserve high praise for creating the very best work environments in the state of Minnesota. My congratulations to each of these exceptional companies.”

 

How many child care workers will be able to get Frontline Worker Bonus?

Chad Dunkley, president of the Minnesota Childcare Association, joins Vineeta Sawkwar to discuss the Frontline Worker Bonus.

Listen Here

 

 

Congressman Dean Phillips Hosts Childcare Panel Discussion at New Horizon Academy

We were honored to host Congressman Dean Phillips along with a panel of childcare experts in Plymouth, Minnesota to discuss the challenges parents and employers face from a lack of quality, affordable childcare.

Watch the full panel discussion here.

 

Amazing Job Opportunities with Outstanding Benefits available at New Horizon Academy

Jeannine Laughlin, Area Director, discusses the incredible job opportunities available right now and all their locations across central Iowa. Jeannine talks about the NHA supportive work culture, beautiful classrooms, nationally accredited programs, and a comprehensive benefits package, making New Horizon Academy the perfect place to build a career in early care and education.

Benefits include:

  • Tuition Reimbursement and scholarships.
  • Generous childcare discounts.
  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
  • 401(k) plans with an employer Match
  • Advancement opportunities and so much more

Job opportunities include:

  • Full-time and part-time positions
  • Substitute teacher positions
  • Flexible scheduling
  • No nights and weekends
  • Career path and management trainings
  • Entry level to management positions
  • Four-day work week options are available, too.

Visit our Careers page for more information!

Read Iowa Live article.

 

New Horizon Academy Nationally Recognized as a 2022 Top Workplaces USA for the Second Year in a Row

We are honored to announce that New Horizon Academy has been nationally recognized as a 2022 Top Workplaces USA award winner for the second year in a row! We could not have earned this award without the hard work and dedication of our valued employees.

New Horizon Academy Erie, Colorado, Now Open!

New Horizon Academy, a family-owned and operated early childhood care provider, has opened their fifth school in Colorado, located at 2140 Village Vista Drive, Erie, CO 80516. The new school joins four other New Horizon Academy schools in Colorado and 75+ other schools located in Minnesota, Idaho, and Iowa!

New Horizon Academy is an early education and childcare provider, serving families since 1971. The schools provide highly trained teachers, a proven educational and creative curriculum, and safe facilities. Their mission is to support children’s education and self-esteem and to prepare them for what comes beyond the classroom, most notably providing the best child development on the planet. New Horizon Academy is a nationally recognized high-quality early education provider with accreditation by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the industry’s gold standard.

Teachers at New Horizon Academy at the Erie location care for and educate more than 180 children between the ages of six weeks and ten years. The school is safe, well-equipped, and has age-appropriate classrooms for infant, toddler, preschool, and school-age children that enhance learning through play. The school will also feature safe and unique outdoor play spaces for the children to enjoy when the weather permits.

Looking to enroll or looking for a career opportunity? Be sure to contact the school for more information by calling (720) 419-3353 or emailing 4005@nhacademy.net.

 

Minn. parents contend with ‘revolving door’ of child care quarantines

Minnesota clarified its suggestions for handling COVID-19 in state-licensed child care settings, as providers, parents and employers struggle to cope with a new record wave of coronavirus infections.

The guidance eases a 10-day quarantine requirement that some parents say has sent their children home over and over but others contend has helped keep their kids safe. It’s the latest development in what is now a long-running battle for families raising kids who can’t yet be vaccinated.

“We are a revolving door of quarantines. That is our life,” said Hillary Boyce-Schimpff, a public health nurse in Duluth, home with her 4-year-old son, Hank, who has COVID and his brother Ollie, 3. Ollie will likely spend about four days of this month eligible to go to day care.

“He went a couple more days in December. At least six,” she said.

After more than a year, with COVID parenting at least within sight of manageable, omicron has the wheels coming off for families all over Minnesota.

Record numbers of confirmed cases have triggered not so much serious illness, but stringent precautions. The CDC had recommended a full 10-day quarantine for close contact with a confirmed case for people who aren’t vaccinated — which children under 5 can’t be.

Boyce-Schimpff said her kids are out of day care and with their cousins at grandma’s house so much, they even have a name for it.

“We have quarantine camp on a regular basis with my retired mom,” Boyce-Schimpff said.

Like thousands of other parents, she is reluctantly welcoming news this week that the Minnesota Department of Human Services isn’t formally enforcing quarantine any more, and suggesting that in at least some cases, it could be as little as five days — potentially adding to the risk of COVID, but getting at least a step closer to normal.

“And know that we’re going to get to go to work the next day,” the Duluth mom said.

For other parents, it’s mortifying. While onerous, quarantines have felt like what little protection they could get for kids who can’t get a shot and barely wear pants let alone a mask, and may have underlying health issues.

Elizabeth Done is a teaching trainer who lives in Wayzata with a 3-year-old daughter in day care. Done gets the need to go back to work. But she worries that it will be kids who pay the price for cutting the quarantine in half.

“So that makes me pretty nervous,” she said.

She said she wonders if Minnesota is giving up, letting parents take their chances with COVID — whatever they are.

“You never know if your kid is going to be one who shouldn’t be in danger, but ends up being that way,” Done said.

Clare Sanford is on the board of the Minnesota Child Care Association and said the change has providers in an agonizing dilemma.

“Most of the providers I’ve been working with have been struggling mightily over the last couple days deciding what is the best balance they can strike for families who are desperate and they are truly desperate. You know, they are losing jobs. They’re worried about keeping their kids housed and fed when they’re unable to work week after week after week because of these quarantines,” Sanford said.

Lily Crooks is the director of Seward Child Care Center in Minneapolis, with about 30 kids. She said it’s bewildering, just as COVID is blowing up again, that providers who have been watching the science — like they’ve been told to do — suddenly have to start making judgment calls.

“We aren’t epidemiologists or public health experts. And you want to have a hard and fast rule. And there aren’t any, actually,” Crooks said. “But then at the same time, nobody wants to get sick, everybody wants to be safe.”

She said the federal child care tax credit ending this month, parents running out of sick time and employers looking to get back to normal weigh on parents.

Other parents said it shouldn’t even be a choice.

Kayla Meyers is a mother of a toddler in St. Louis Park. The child has been quarantined 38 of the last 66 days. A nonprofit researcher, she’s cashed in PTO and sick time, changed jobs and everything she could think of.

“You know, I wish I even had the bandwidth to think about if this is the right decision for my child’s health and his safety in terms of COVID,” Meyers said, “But at the end of the day, I don’t have the other supports necessary to make those options even possible.”

She said it’s a symptom of a system that is simply failing families, never mind how long quarantines should or shouldn’t be.

“We can’t even entertain what’s needed to keep children safe at this point,” she said.

Editors note: This story has been updated with additional information about the Department of Human Services position on enforcing the quarantine.

[Read More]

 

Child care providers set new quarantine rules after state loosens requirements

The state told providers they’re no longer required to hold kids and staff out of child care following an exposure.

MINNESOTA, USA — The pandemic has crushed child care facilities since the very beginning.

But with omicron, they’re entering a new and perhaps even more challenging phase. Kids are quarantining left and right after coming into close contact with COVID-19, leaving some facilities almost entirely empty as parents scramble to find work accommodations.

Clare Sanford, the government relations chair on the board of the Minnesota Child Care Association and a vice president at New Horizon Academy, said at one point in the last week, New Horizon had more than 1,400 kids home on quarantine across dozens of locations.

“We had a building in Burnsville licensed for 100 children, and only three could legally attend because of quarantine rules. One center in Minneapolis for 200 kids only had 20 children there. This is an immense strain on families and providers,” Sanford said. “Parents’ mental health and financial health has just reached a breaking point.”

That led the state’s Department of Human Services to develop a new policy this week. 

“Effective immediately, child care license holders are no longer required to quarantine children and staff who are close contacts with a positive COVID-19 case as part of licensing requirements,” the agency told providers in a directive this week. “While no longer a licensing requirement, DHS does strongly encourage providers to follow MDH and CDC guidance for quarantining.”

In short, this means that while the state recommends child care providers still follow public health guidance, they now have more flexibility to determine which kids should stay home and for how long after an exposure.

“It felt like an extra added burden,” DHS Commissioner Jodi Harpstead said of the previous quarantine rules in an interview with KARE 11. “The child care providers are going to have to make their very best judgments. I would suggest parents talk to their providers, about what their preferences would be.”

Harpstead points out that, as a licensing requirement, child care providers still need to report cases and notify parents of them – and obviously must isolate kids and staff who test positive for COVID.

“Kids that actually have COVID should stay home, but the quarantine was getting to be very difficult,” Harpstead said. “It led to some very long quarantines, parents missing work, and real hardship. Our expectation now is that providers will review their policies and procedures and align their efforts to follow COVID guidance to the greatest extent possible, but not so much on quarantine.”

At New Horizon Academy, Sanford said locations will follow CDC guidance for the unvaccinated, meaning kids under five years old who have an exposure will quarantine for just five days and can come back with a negative COVID test.

They’re also shortening the isolation period for kids who had another household member test positive, which sometimes led to weeks of quarantine.

“We are making a few small changes right away,” Sanford said. “They’re not nearly as far as some parents would like us to go right now, but we feel they’re prudent, to say – we want to offer some relief right away.”

In her role with the Minnesota Child Care Association, Sanford said it appears that providers across the state are weighing their options carefully when it comes to quarantine procedures. Many will continue to follow state and federal guidance, although they’re awaiting specific recommendations from the CDC on child care facilities.

“This isn’t a free-for-all. It’s not like the state made this announcement and all providers went, ‘no quarantine at all, we’re done!’ That’s not what has happened,” Sanford said. “This is a huge responsibility. This goes to the very core of what we do as providers.”

In St. Michael, longtime family child care provider Hollee Saville said she plans to take each quarantine decision on a case-by-case basis.

She said she supports the state’s new guidance because of the flexibility it offers.

“I can determine, ‘yes, this kid was exposed, but maybe for not very long,’” Saville said. “I’ll use my best judgment and information at hand that’s still going to ensure the safety and health of all the families in my care.”

[Read More]

 

COVID Variant Puts Greater Strain on Daycare Providers, Families

ST. CLOUD — The surge of the Omicron variant has child care providers entering perhaps the most challenging phase of the pandemic.

With kids having to quarantine more and more due to coming into contact with COVID-19, it’s causing a major disruption for families.

Earlier this week the Minnesota Department of Human Services developed a new policy no longer requiring children and staff who are considered close contact to quarantine.

Chad Dunkley is the CEO of New Horizon Academy. He says this new policy gives child care providers more control.

They are giving providers additional flexibility to make decisions about their own quarantines though they are still strongly recommending providers follow health guidance.

Dunkley says within their organization they plan to follow the new state quarantine guidelines which limits quarantine periods to five days with kids able to return with a negative COVID test.

As for testing, Dunkley says they recently got a limited supply of COVID-19 rapid tests for families.

We did get a significant supply of tests which we sent to our schools. If families are unable to locate their own, we will supply a test as long as supplies last for our families.

Dunkley says he would like to see the state get to a point where testing is more accessible child care families and more affective for kids who are under two-years old.

He says because of the new COVID variant, there is also some pressure by the CDC for providers to issue more masking policies for their preschool and toddler age kids.

I know early childhood providers are reluctant to do this. Young children learn a lot from facial expressions and they have a difficult time wearing masks all day long. We personally think that’s too much for them.

Dunkley says he knows this latest wave in cases is putting a strain on families, but they are doing what they can to make sure their facilities remain open for families and continue to be a safe environment for kids and staff.

[Read More]

 

MN childcare providers and families are struggling

Chad Dunkley, president of the Minnesota Childcare Association, joins Cory to talk about the struggles Minnesota childcare providers have been facing for years and how the recent rise in COVID cases has made the situation even more difficult.

2021 Year in Review

As the year draws to a close, we wanted to look back at all of New Horizon Academy’s achievements in 2021. We would not have been able to accomplish these without the support of our amazing families and employees at New Horizon Academy. Here’s to 2022!

 

Great DIY holiday gift ideas to make with your kids

Jeannine Laughlin shows guest host Terry Rich, with Iowa Live, some DIY gift projects you can do with your kids this holiday season!

6 Tried and True Reading Tips for Busy Families with New Horizon Academy

Jeannine Laughlin visits with guest host Terry Rich on Iowa Live and gives tips to help busy families develop language and reading skills with their children.

Why Teach at New Horizon Academy?

The majority of people who work in the childcare industry choose to mainly because of their love for children. Whether you have experience watching siblings or relatives, or if you were a babysitter for several years, that this is the groundwork New Horizon Academy looks for in a potential teacher.

What sets New Horizon Academy apart from other early childcare centers is how we assist with those first steps into teaching. Materials are provided, teachers are trained in the classrooms, and there are optimal training and educational opportunities.

Working in childcare is a highly gratifying experience. Every day is different, and you get to be a part of the child’s learning, growth, and development. Working at New Horizon Academy as a childcare provider, you are giving children the best start in life, assisting them in developing social skills in a safe and caring atmosphere that fosters learning through play. If that does not convince you enough to be a teacher at one of our locations, here are five more reasons why you should work at New Horizon Academy:

Participation in Children’s Growth and Development

Working with children has a ton of positive outcomes, but it is mainly an opportunity to assist children to grow and develop into confident, self-sufficient learners as they get ready for success in kindergarten.

Corporate Support

As soon as you join New Horizon Academy, you do not only get a first-hand opportunity to work with children furthering their development and growth, but you also get to build friendships with coworkers. You work closely discussing and brainstorming projects and tasks. We also pride ourselves on giving our teachers whatever materials and supplies they need to run the classroom flawlessly.

Educational and Occupational Growth

Working with children is a huge learning experience for anyone working in the industry. Not only that, but if you desire to grow within the company or get a better education, New Horizon Academy is here to support those dreams. We provide ongoing training and education for our teachers.

Connection with Children

Your relationship with the children in your class is significant in helping them feel safe and free to participate in fun activities, allowing them to learn through play. Your relationship with the children allows them to gain self-confidence, learn to share, and make friends.

Connection with Families

In most cases, as the teacher, you work together with families and share information to help fulfill each child’s needs and to support their growth. This builds a connection between you and the family.

Working at New Horizon Academy can be a fantastic experience for you. Working with children can be so rewarding, seeing them grow, play, and achieve their milestones. Interesting in being a teacher at New Horizon Academy?

Click here to apply!

[Source]

 

 

 

The business of child care has operated in a strained market for years — low wages for workers and high costs for parents.

Now, the pandemic is showing just how vital and fragile our child care system is.

Early in the pandemic, providers were hit hard by big changes in employment. Furloughs and remote work led many families to pull children out of care, along with their dollars. The financial strain on child care providers is far from over. Home day cares continue to close. Centers are having trouble paying enough to keep workers.

A lack of reliable and affordable care limits what jobs people can take and may be holding back the recovery of the entire economy.

The social policy bill being pushed by President Joe Biden would provide unprecedented public dollars to support child care. But, there’s also concern about who would administer the funds and who would get the money.

Host Angela Davis checks in on the business and future of child care with providers and a consultant who works with child care entrepreneurs.

[Listen]

 

How to make a Pumpkin Volcano

Erynn Laughlin at New Horizon Academy in WDSM talks about the importance of STEAM activities as part of their program and creates a Pumpkin Volcano | Paid Content

New Horizon Academy emphasizes STEAM learning activities as part of their early childhood education program. Erynn Laughlin, manager at the West Des Moines location, shows us how a pumpkin can be used a learning tool in a variety of ways and teaches us how to create a simple experiment at home that results in a Pumpkin Volcano!
New Horizon Academy is open to care for and educate children ages 6 weeks through the end of fourth-grade and located in Des Moines, West Des Moines, Johnston and Pella.

Check out the segment here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlJDRQe-VjM

 

Happy Anniversary: Cheers to 50 Incredible Years!

Incredible Employee Benefits Offered at New Horizon Academy

Jeannine Laughlin, Area Director of New Horizon Academy talks about the fact that they are growing and looking for teachers to work in their incredible programs. The benefits are unmatched in the industry and opportunities for full & part-time positions are now available at all four of their central Iowa locations: Des Moines, West Des Moines, Johnston & Pella. To get more information visit https://www.newhorizonacademy.net/careers

[Source]

 

New Horizon Academy in Erie, Colorado, Opening Soon

New Horizon Academy, a family-owned and operated early childhood care provider, will soon have a fifth school opening in Colorado, located at 2140 Village Vista Drive, Erie, CO 80516. The new school joins four other New Horizon Academy schools in Colorado and 75+ other schools located in Minnesota, Idaho, and Iowa.

New Horizon Academy is an early education and childcare provider, serving families since 1971. The schools provide highly trained teachers, a proven educational and creative curriculum, and safe facilities. Their mission is to support children’s education and self-esteem and to prepare them for what comes beyond the classroom, most notably providing the best child development on the planet. New Horizon Academy is a nationally recognized high-quality early education provider with accreditation by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the industry’s gold standard.

Teachers at the New Horizon Academy Erie location will care for and educate more than 180 children between the ages of six weeks and ten years. The school is safe, well-equipped, and has age-appropriate classrooms for infant, toddler, preschool, and school-age children that enhance learning through play. The school will also feature safe and unique outdoor play spaces for the children to enjoy when the weather permits.

For more information about the opening, please call (720) 419-3353 or visit https://www.NewHorizonAcademy.net.

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New Horizon Academy in Hugo, Minnesota, School Opens July 20, 2021

New Horizon Academy, a family-owned and operated early childhood care provider, will soon open its doors in place of Kindergardens Child Development Center located at 14665 Mercantile Dr. N., Hugo, MN 55038. The new school joins over 75 other schools located in Minnesota, Colorado, Idaho, and Iowa.

New Horizon Academy is an early education and childcare provider, serving families since 1971. The schools provide highly trained teachers, a proven educational and creative curriculum, and safe facilities. Their mission is to support children’s education and self-esteem and to prepare them for what comes beyond the classroom, most notably providing the best child development on the planet. New Horizon Academy is a nationally recognized high-quality early education provider with accreditation by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the industry’s gold standard.

Teachers at the Hugo New Horizon Academy location will care for and educate more than 180 children between six weeks and ten years old. The school is safe, well-equipped, and has age-appropriate classrooms for infant, toddler, preschool, and school-age children that enhance learning through play. The school will also feature safe and unique outdoor play spaces for the children to enjoy when the weather permits.

For more information about the opening, please call (651) 204-5101 or visit https://www.NewHorizonAcademy.net.

 

ST. PAUL (WCCO) — The federal government is set to start sending monthly boosted child tax credit payments to families across the United States Thursday, and more than half a million Minnesota families are expected to benefit.

Under provisions in the latest round of COVID-19 relief, the American Rescue Plan, the child tax credit increased from $2,000 to $3,000 per child for children ages 6 to 17. It increases for younger children to $3,600 per child.

The Internal Revenue Service for the first time is disbursing half of that credit in monthly payments for the next six months, a move designed to help lower and middle class families endure the ongoing economic challenges of the pandemic that advocates praise as transformative federal policy.

For parents and families, it means getting a monthly check or deposit instead of a break when taxes are due. Qualifying households would get $300 per child under the age of six and $250 for every child 6 to 17. Previously, under the old credit structure, 17 year olds did not qualify.

The other half of the child tax credit will be claimed when filing for 2021 taxes, which is the only tax year the change applies.

Matt Sobiech, a teacher who lives in St. Michael, welcomes the news for his family. He said his wife, who is also a teacher, stays home to watch their three kids because child care isn’t affordable.

“Teaching and trying to pay for child care would just come out even, so I’d rather her be at home with our kids. It’s hard to raise kids and it costs a lot of money, so I think it just lightens the load for us,” Sobiech said. “It’s a lot easier if you have the money now rather than having to wait later, and it’s more so that’s going to benefit every family with kids.”

There are income requirements to receive the full payment: $75,000 or less for single taxpayers; $112,500 or less for heads of household; and $150,000 for married couples filing a joint return and qualified widows and widowers.

Americans who did not file taxes based on income are still eligible and can sign up here. Payments phase out as income increases. 

Child care providers are praising the changes, calling it a “revolutionary” move for the United States that could bridge the access gap, too, if the temporary credit enhancement stays beyond 2021, the only year it applies. The White House is pushing to extend it.

There’s more demand for child care than spots available in Minnesota. The state has lost half of its in-home daycare providers over the last two decades, according to a recent report.

Clare Sanford is the government relations chair for the Minnesota Child Care Association.

“It’s a huge part of the puzzle,” Sanford said. “I don’t think any provider is going to be making real long-term plans based on [these tax provisions] until we see what happens, but this is exactly the direction that we need to be going with in order to incentivize providers to expand and new providers to enter the market.”

The Minnesota Department of Revenue estimates that close to 700,000 families in the state could be impacted, but a spokesman said that calculation is bit limited because the IRS handles the payments and the state revenue agency doesn’t have access to age information of dependents claimed on a tax return.

In 2018, 678,200 Minnesotans claimed more than $2 billion in child tax credits, according to MDR spokesperson Ryan Brown. The department estimates taxpayers could get an additional $1.9 billion in child tax credits as a result of the policy.

Sanford also praised other provisions of the American Rescue Plan impacting families and child care. She also pointed to policies approved by the Minnesota Legislature this year, including an increase in child care assistance reimbursement rates to providers, as positive changes.

“It’s still not enough, unfortunately, because the hole we have to dig out of in terms of access and affordability for child care is so deep, but these are real meaningful changes,” Sanford said.

For more questions about the child care tax credit and what it means for you, click here.

[Source]

Star Tribune names New Horizon Academy a 2021 Top 175 Workplace

Plymouth MN June 20, 2021—New Horizon Academy has been named one of the Top 175 Workplaces in Minnesota by the Star Tribune. A complete list of those selected is available at startribune.com/mn-top-workplaces and will also be published in the Star Tribune Top Workplaces special section on Sunday, June 20.

Produced by the same team that compiles the 30-year-old Star Tribune 100 report of the best-performing public companies in Minnesota, Top Workplaces recognizes the most progressive companies in Minnesota based on employee opinions measuring engagement, organizational health and satisfaction. The analysis included responses from over 76,000 employees at Minnesota public, private and nonprofit organizations.

The rankings in the Star Tribune Top 175 Workplaces are based on survey information collected by Energage, an independent company specializing in employee engagement and retention.

New Horizon Academy was ranked 38th on the large company list.

“New Horizon Academy is honored to receive the Top Workplaces award for the fifth year in a row,” said Chief Executive Officer, Chad Dunkley. “It is a testament to the company’s values of respect, integrity, excellence, innovation, leadership, and teamwork. We are proud of our teachers, and it is a privilege to provide a workplace that allows them to grow and thrive, and enjoy coming to work. Our teachers do the world’s most important work, and we are excited to continue our growth and success with our most valuable assets—our people.”

Star Tribune Publisher Michael J. Klingensmith said, “The companies in the Star Tribune Top 175 Workplaces deserve high praise for creating the very best work environments in the state of Minnesota. My congratulations to each of these exceptional companies.”

To qualify for the Star Tribune Top Workplaces, a company must have more than 50 employees in Minnesota. Nearly 3,000 companies were invited to participate. Rankings were composite scores calculated purely on the basis of employee responses.

 

Minnesota Childcare Leader a Part of President Biden’s First Address to Congress

Plymouth, Minn. (April 29, 2021) – Chad Dunkley, CEO of New Horizon Academy and president of the Minnesota Child Care Association (MCCA) was invited by U.S. Senator Tina Smith to participate in President Biden’s first address to Congress. Dunkley’s participation in the address included a virtual reception prior to the President’s address and inclusion in social media posts.

U.S. Senator Smith intentionally reached out to Dunkley in the early days of pandemic to ensure the childcare industry had the financial supports necessary during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was during this conversation that U.S. Senator Smith realized just how dire the situation was for the childcare industry. At New Horizon Academy, enrollment dropped by over 70 percent in a matter of a few weeks, and yet we were asked to remain open in order to serve the families of frontline workers who relied on our services to help fight the pandemic. We thank Senator Smith for her commitment to supporting childcare during the pandemic and making long-term investments in childcare infrastructure moving forward.

Last night, President Biden proposed significant new investments to help families in the United States afford childcare for children birth through five years of age, including that low- and moderate-income families should pay no more than 7 percent of their income toward the cost of high-quality childcare and permanently extending tax credits for families.  Biden also proposed more funding to help families access high-quality pre-K in the setting and community of their choice. These investments in those who want to grow their families in this country are long overdue.

The current economic model for childcare is broken, and the pandemic brought these issues to the top of the agenda for democrats and republicans alike.

“It’s a testament to the hard work we have been doing to call attention to the fragility of our industry – from childcare deserts in rural areas to universal accessibility to high-quality early education,” said Dunkley. Today, 51 percent of the population of the United States currently lives in a childcare desert. “It took a global pandemic to expose the vulnerability of the industry, which is truly the backbone of the economy. Affordability and accessibility have been exposed: women were already choosing not to have children because of the cost of childcare, birth rates were dropping, or women were quitting their jobs to care for their children. Providers were closing their doors because their businesses were not viable, and employees were not choosing or were dropping out of the profession because they could not earn a livable wage. This was pre-pandemic. COVID-19 was the final straw for everyone in childcare. The good news is now the nation is aware that the system is broken. It’s not viable for anyone involved: families, providers, or employees.”

 

U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s Statement on President Biden’s Joint Address to Congress

WASHINGTON, D.C. [4/28/21]—This evening, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) released the following statement in response to President Biden’s Joint Address to Congress:

“First, I want to thank Chad Dunkley for being my virtual guest at President Biden’s Joint Address to Congress. Chad serves as CEO of New Horizon Academy, a family-owned company in Minnesota that has been serving young kids for 50 years. New Horizon Academy is one of the many childcare providers that the American Rescue Plan will help. While I wish Chad could have been here in-person, it was an honor for him to be my guest.

“More than a year ago, Chad and I connected in the early days of the pandemic about the crisis Minnesota childcare providers and families were facing.  Childcare faced huge challenges before the pandemic, but was pushed to the brink and in some cases over the edge. Hearing his story and the experiences in Minnesota inspired me to tackle this and work with partners in congress to deliver historic funding to help stabilize this essential sector.

“I have heard time and again from so many Minnesotans about the need for affordable, high-quality childcare because we know early education is fundamental for families, and for our economy. So I’m glad that President Biden unveiled his American Families Plan today, and spoke tonight about how it would make the significant investments we so badly need. In addition to childcare and early education, President Biden touched on the progress we’ve made when it comes to combating the coronavirus pandemic, and the progress we still need to make on police reform, gun safety, and tackling climate change. Tonight, President Biden again showed that the Biden-Harris White House believes in government that fights for all families and working people, not just a few at the top. I look forward to continuing to partner on this work, and expanding opportunity for Minnesotans and all Americans.”

 

Shakopee Student Wins Scholarship from Local Business Partner

Shakopee senior Kendra Vaillancourt says she wasn’t sure what she wanted to do for a career, but college wasn’t necessarily on her radar. She explored career options through many of the courses in the Human Services Academy, but nothing sparked her interest enough to make her consider paying for college. “I was considering not going to college because I have heard of so many people who have gone and are working just to pay off their college debt.”

That is until she met Kami Thompson, director of Shakopee’s New Horizon Academy. With a goal to help provide real life experiences for students and better understand the early childhood education field, Kami partnered with Sara Gilkison’s Advanced Child Development class to provide authentic experiences that included teacher observation, lesson plan development, and even some classroom instruction.

Kami shared New Horizon’s philosophy and staff development program with the students, encouraging them to apply to apply for open positions. Kendra jumped at the opportunity, and has been working there since November. She says she immediately felt a strong connection to the students. “Kendra has a true passion for working with children,” says Sara Gilkison. “Her experiences at New Horizons give her fellow classmates great insight during class discussions.”

She was told of a New Horizon Academy scholarship opportunity. The competitive application included an essay and interview. Kendra soon found out she was chosen to receive a scholarship for a two year degree in early childhood from MCTC. This scholarship is partnered with a job with New Horizon Academy.  Starting this fall she will work at New Horizon while going to school. After three years she will have three years of earnings, three years of experience, an Associate’s degree and no school loans.

Kendra says she feels fortunate to have this opportunity, and shares a recent eye-opening moment she had in class. Students did a financial exercise that involved calculating yearly expenses they’ll have as a college student. “When other students had thousands of dollars listed for their tuition, I got to put zero. I feel lucky I will not have student loans.”

“I am thrilled that Kendra, someone who is so naturally talented in their interactions with children, has the opportunity to receive the New Horizon Academy scholarship,” says Kami “ It is very deserving!”

Lisa Larson is New Horizon’s VP of Human Resources: “We are so excited to partner with educators and to be able to help students enter the Early Childhood Education profession without the burden of school loans.”

Thank you, New Horizon Academy, for your dedication to your profession, our district, and our students.

[Source]

 

Why Sen. Klobuchar is pushing a ‘Marshall Plan for Moms’

By Ashley Hackett

 

America’s moms are struggling. During the pandemic, around one million mothers have left the workforce, with Black mothers, Hispanic mothers and single mothers among the hardest hit.

This came after women hit an important milestone at the beginning of 2020, holding 50.03% of jobs in America. But the pandemic changed that. More than 2.3 million women have left the workforce since February 2020, bringing their labor participation down to a level not seen since 1988, according to the National Women’s Law Center. In December, women had a net loss in the job market while American men had an overall net gain of jobs that month.

Labor force participation among mothers with young children dropped by 11.1 percentage points in Minnesota during September through November 2020 as compared to the same time period in 2019, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis.

Members of Congress addressed some of the struggles women and moms have faced during the pandemic with the American Rescue Plan Act, passed in March. This relief package gave over $40 billion to child care providers across the country, including $550 million to Minnesota. But some child care providers and advocates have worried that a one-time lump sum payment may not be enough to sustain an industry that has been underfunded and under resourced for so long.

That’s why a group of Democratic senators, including Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith, introduced the Marshall Plan for Moms, making reference to the massive spending by the U.S. to rebuild Western Europe in the wake of World War II. The legislation calls for a similar high level of spending to support mothers in the American workforce past the initial funding provided by the American Rescue Plan Act.

A call for better paid leave policies

The resolution says that “the United States needs a Marshall Plan for Moms in order to revitalize and restore mothers in the workforce,” and it was introduced to the Senate in March 2021. Its companion resolution in the House was introduced by Rep. Grace Meng, D-New York.

This resolution, which has 11 cosponsors in the Senate and 36 in the House, does not have the force of law; however, it could pave the way for stronger legislation if it gains support among House and Senate committees, where it’s being reviewed now.

The Marshall Plan for Moms calls for a paid leave plan that would create a path toward permanent paid leave solutions, which might include a federally mandated amount of leave for people experiencing health or family crises, as many did during the COVID-19 pandemic. The resolution also calls for funding to stabilize the child care industry, which would build upon the relief provided by the American Rescue Plan Act as a more permanent support network for child care providers. It would also expand an unemployment insurance program that includes those experiencing long-term unemployment.

Access to mental health support for mothers also made its way into the resolution, as well as an “improved child tax credit and earned income tax credit to help reduce child poverty.”

The resolution language also states that employers and policymakers in the U.S. need to “prioritize addressing the economic cliff facing mothers,” as well as make their policy suggestions permanent “so that mothers are protected against any future economic calamities.”

Celebrity endorsements

In January, 50 prominent women signed a letter in the New York Times, led by Girls Who Code founder and CEO Reshma Saujani calling on the Biden administration to create a task force that would implement the Marshall Plan for Moms. Other high-profile signatories include actresses Eva Longoria and Charlize Theron, comedian Amy Schumer, and CEO and cofounder of Ellevest Sally Krawcheck.

In February, 50 men followed suit. They signed a letter in the Washington Post calling on Congress to support the Marshall Plan for Moms. The group includes basketball player Stephen Curry, former NFL star Victor Cruz, and New York City mayoral candidate Andrew Yang. Many of the men who signed the letter are fathers, and are pushing for direct payments for mothers, paid parental leave, pay equity, and affordable child care.

“When more than 30 years of progress for women in the workforce can be erased in 9 months, the underlying system is broken,” the letter, displayed as a full-page ad, reads. “It’s time to create a new structure that works for women, that respects and values their labor. Men have a role to play.”

‘Child care should not be a luxury’

In an effort to promote the resolution, Klobuchar made an appearance at New Horizon Academy in Edina on Tuesday to meet with New Horizon leadership and mothers.

“The people in this country have been struggling with child care, so many of them at home, especially moms, balancing their toddlers on their knees and their laptops on their desk, teaching their little kids how to use the mute button for Zoom calls,” Klobuchar said. “And their whole lives have changed. And that’s why I started hearing these stories when I was at home.”

As follow-up legislation to the American Rescue Plan Act, Klobuchar says the Marshall Plan for Moms is part of an effort to provide longer-lasting funds to child care providers and parents after the initial influx of funds.

“We thought this pandemic would be the end of our business,” said Chad Dunkley, CEO of New Horizon Academy. “Last March New Horizon Academy went from serving over 10,000 Minnesota kids a day to just over 2,000 in a matter of weeks. Governor Walz at the very same time pleaded with providers, please stay open.”

Two mothers at the conference also spoke about their experiences during the last year of the pandemic, citing child care as an essential part of their ability to survive and provide for their children.

“In April of last year, I returned to work from maternity leave during a time of great stress in our hospital system,” said Ellen LaFontaine, a mother and clinical social worker at M Health Fairview. “Locally, our rates of infection and death were climbing, and my clinics were given daily reports on supply shortages.”

LaFontaine explained that she owes her success in her medical career to the child care she’s been able to find during the pandemic.

“The Child Tax Credits passed under the American Rescue Plan Act are offering a metaphorical life jacket in a sea of emotional and financial uncertainty,” LaFontaine said. “Child care should not be a luxury.”

Teress James, New Horizon kitchen manager and mother of three children, said her dream had always been to work in child care.

“The tax credit coming as part of this federal package will also help my family in so many ways,” James said. “I will be able to pay off all my bills that I owe, and even pay some in advance. I will also be able to budget and save better. Hardworking moms like myself deserve the supports that will help us continue to contribute in our careers,  and have the stability for our own children.”

[Source]

 

U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar Visits New Horizon Academy to Discuss Supporting Moms as They Go Back to Work During This Incredibly Challenging Time

Edina, Minn. (April 6, 2021) – On April 6, 2021, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar hosted a press conference at New Horizon Academy in Edina, Minn. During the press conference, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar discussed new federal child care and family support funds.

The Senator discussed items in the recently passed American Rescue Plan Act that make up part of her “Marshall Plan for Moms”:

  • Child Tax Credit: The Child Tax Credit (CTC) is a federal tax credit that previously provided up to $2,000 for children under the age of 17. For 2021, The American Rescue Plan made the CTC refundable and increased the annual amount to $3,600 per child under age 6, and $3,000 per child between the ages of 6 and 17.
  • Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit: The Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC) was temporarily expanded to cover up to 50 percent of qualifying child care expenses (up to $4,000 for one child and $8,000 for two or more children for 2021). The credit is refundable and fully available to families making less than $125,000. Families earning between $125,000 and $400,000 will be allowed to claim a portion of the credit. Previously, families earning $43,000 or less could claim up to $3,000 for one child and $6,000 for two children.
  • Dependent Care Assistance Program Flexible Spending Account (DCAP FSA): The American Rescue Plan increased the pre-tax exclusion for employer-provided dependent care assistance from $5,000 to $10,500 for 2021.

New Horizon Academy’s Chief Executive Officer, Chad Dunkley, and two New Horizon Academy parents spoke about the impact the pandemic has had on the child care industry and on their families. “The Marshall Plan for Moms proposed by Senator Klobuchar is long overdue and comes after years of education and advocacy work, said Chad Dunkley, Chief Executive Officer at New Horizon Academy, “While the current benefit extensions are temporary, New Horizon Academy will keep working with elected officials in support of making these items permanent family supports.”

For more information, call (763) 557-1111 or visit www.NewHorizonAcademy.net.

 

 

New Horizon Academy Lone Tree, Colorado, Opening March 29th, 2021

New Horizon Academy, a family-owned and operated early childhood care provider, will soon have its fourth school open in Colorado on March 29th, located at 9092 Sky Ridge Avenue, Lone Tree, CO 80124. The new school joins four other New Horizon Academy locations in Colorado and 70+ other schools located in Minnesota, Idaho, and Iowa.

New Horizon Academy, an early education and child care provider, has been serving families since 1971, providing highly trained teachers, a proven educational curriculum, and safe facilities. Their mission is to support children’s self-esteem and prepare them for what comes beyond the classroom, most notably providing the best child development on the planet. New Horizon Academy is a nationally recognized high-quality early education provider with accreditation by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), its industry’s gold standard.

Teachers at the New Horizon Academy Lone Tree location will care for and educate more than 180 children between the ages of six weeks and ten years. The school is safe, well-equipped, and has age-appropriate classrooms for infant, toddler, preschool, and school-age children that enhance learning through play. The school also features safe and unique outdoor play spaces for the children to enjoy.

For more information, call (720) 640-9142, email 4004@nhacademy.net, or visit www.NewHorizonAcademy.net.

 

Energage Names New Horizon Academy a Winner of the 2021 Top Workplaces USA Award

Plymouth, Minnesota, February 3, 2021 – Today, New Horizon Academy has announced it has earned the 2021 Top Workplaces USA award, issued by Energage, a purpose-driven organization that develops solutions to build and brand Top Workplaces. This is the inaugural year for Top Workplaces USA, built on the program’s 14-year history surveying more than 20 million employees across 54 markets for the regional Top Workplaces awards.

Top Workplaces USA offers national recognition for large organizations, those with more than 150 employees, and those that may have operations in multiple markets. Several thousand organizations from across the country were invited, and more than 1,100 participated in the Top Workplaces USA survey. Winners of the Top Workplaces USA list are chosen based solely on employee feedback gathered through an employee engagement survey issued by Energage. Results are calculated by comparing the survey’s research-based statements, including 15 Culture Drivers that are proven to predict high performance, against industry benchmarks.

“New Horizon Academy is honored to receive the Top Workplaces USA award,” said Chief Executive Officer, Chad Dunkley. “It is a testament to the company’s values of respect, integrity, excellence, innovation, leadership, and teamwork. We are proud of our teachers, and it is a privilege to provide a workplace that allows them to grow and thrive, and enjoy coming to work. Our teachers do the world’s most important work, and we are excited to continue our growth and success with our most valuable assets—our people.”

This award celebrates nationally recognized companies that make the world a better place to work together by prioritizing a people-centered culture and giving employees a voice.

See the full list at http://strib.mn/2ZVsT5L.

 

By Kate Raddatz

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — Child care centers are starting to see families come back. When the pandemic began, many saw a drop in enrollment. Some local daycares even had to close. Others saw as much as a 70% drop in enrollment.

Parents reported being concerned about safety or job losses, but the vaccine rollout could be the comeback they’ve been waiting for.

Workers at Casa De Corazon locations found out Tuesday that they had been chosen to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

“It does sort of feel like winning the lottery,” Casa De Corazon founder Natalie Standridge said.

The state of Minnesota is currently vaccinating a limited number of child care providers, but plans are in the works to expand as more supply comes in.

Standridge says they have had an increase in inquiries, tours, and enrollment this month.

“Now with the vaccine it’s really a light at the end of the tunnel for so many individuals and families,” Standridge said.

Their child care centers saw anywhere from a 20-30 percent drop in enrollment when many families were able to get in without waiting. Things started pick up again in the fall. Now several locations are getting back up to a 12-18 month waitlist for infants.

Minnesota Child Care Association President and New Horizon Academy CEO Chad Dunkley says the biggest issue is many daycares don’t have pre-pandemic staffing and need to plan ahead.

Right now nationally child care centers are still at about 60 percent capacity compared to what they were before the pandemic, but Dunkley says he anticipates that could change drastically once the vaccine is readily available to the general public.

“If all of a sudden the state goes, ‘Everybody back to work,’ and it’s June 1, there won’t be enough child care June 1 to do that,” he said.

Dunkley says if you are planning for child care in the next few months, it’s a good idea to hold a spot now with a provider. He says that is even more important if you will need infant care in the next year.

[Source]

 

2020 Year in Review

We are so grateful for the support our families and staff provided as we faces so many challenges in 2020. We are proud of what we achieved during this unprecedented time.

 

New Horizon Academy Pella, Iowa, Now Open!

New Horizon Academy, a family-owned and operated early childhood care provider, now has its fourth school open in Iowa, located at 308 SE 9th Street, Pella, Iowa. The new school joins three other New Horizon Academy schools located in Iowa and 70+ other schools located in Minnesota, Idaho, and Colorado.

New Horizon Academy, an early education and child care provider, has been serving families since 1971, providing highly trained teachers, a proven educational curriculum, and safe facilities. Their mission is to support children’s self-esteem and prepare them for what comes beyond the classroom, most notably providing the best child development on the planet. New Horizon Academy is a nationally recognized high-quality early education provider with accreditation by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), its industry’s gold standard.

Teachers at New Horizon Academy in Pella care for and educate more than 180 children between the ages of six weeks and ten years. While thoughtfully designed renovations will be taking place, the school is currently safe, well-equipped, and has age-appropriate classrooms that enhance learning through play. The school will also feature safe and unique outdoor play spaces for the children to enjoy.

For more information, call (641) 629-1424 or visit www.NewHorizonAcademy.net.

 

Caring Beyond the Classroom Event at New Horizon Academy Teaches Kids to Be Kind

Plymouth, Minn. (November 10, 2020) – New Horizon Academy children and their teachers participated in a company-wide Caring Beyond the Classroom event on November 10th that helped children spread kindness and learn about the positive impact they may have in their local community.

Together, children and their teachers helped to create 3,050 placemats for Meals on Wheels, 3,464 coloring sheets for Color A Smile, and 2,350 thank you notes for essential workers. The goal of the event was to help children develop important social-emotional skills while giving back to the local community.

Caring and compassion are two of the most important values parents hope to instill in their children, and there is no better way to do that than to provide children and families with tools they need to make a difference. Families received Caring Beyond the Classroom kits, so that they could implement kindness and caring activities together as a family.

“Caring Beyond the Classroom helps children develop important empathy, compassion, and kindness skills. Children develop compassion through acts of caring and kindness towards others, and as they grow, it can guide their actions and behaviors in positive ways,” said Cara Johnson-Bader, Vice President of Marketing and Parent Experiences. “Our teachers and children enjoyed working on the service learning projects together, giving back to the community, and engaging in meaningful conversations about how their actions and projects will impact the lives of others.”

The Caring Beyond the Classroom program is incorporated into our schools year-round, and through these service projects, children learn empathy, kindness, compassion, and citizenship.

New Horizon Academy’s Jeannine Laughlin, Area Director, Tours West Des Moines School

Take a peek inside New Horizon Academy with Jeannine Laughlin, Area Director, on Iowa Live!

New Horizon Academy Installs Innovative Virus Zapper (Bipolar Ionization System)

Plymouth, Minn. (August 5, 2020) – To keep children safe during the pandemic, New Horizon Academy has installed a bipolar ionization system in its schools to purify the air, kill viruses and bacteria, control allergens, and help prevent the spread of germs.

“In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, we looked for ways to ensure we are providing the safest environment for the children entrusted to our care, their families, and our staff.” said Chad Dunkley, Chief Executive Officer, “When I learned about the bipolar ionization system and how it’s used in hospitals and doctors’ offices, and saw the research on its effectiveness in zapping viruses, I knew we needed to install it in our classrooms.”

Bipolar ionization systems will be installed in all New Horizon Academy locations.

 

New Horizon Academy’s Jeannine Laughlin, Area Director, Tours West Des Moines School

Take a peek inside New Horizon Academy with Jeannine Laughlin, Area Director, on Iowa Live!

Daycare’s Still Operating at Half Capacity As School Year Nears

ST. CLOUD — Despite more kids returning to daycare in recent months, many child care providers are still operating at about half capacity.

Recent relief packages form the state legislature has help many daycare organizations keep the lights on, but that funding will soon run out.

Chad Dunkley is the CEO at New Horizon Academy and the President of the Minnesota Child Care Association.

He says they’ve had a number of calls from worried parents wondering what child care providers are doing this fall.

“I know we’ve also had a number of call in the last few weeks with nervous families because they don’t have a clear picture as to what public schools are doing to do and seeing what capacity we have for accommodating children.”

He says their facilities are constantly making changes to help protect the kids and staff, including soon asking all school age kids to wear masks.

“Beginning August 17th we are going to ask our school age children to wear masks in our buildings, so they have time to get use to it for when they return to public school. We want to make sure we are following all safety protocols to reduce any risk of spread.”

Dunkley says they are also looking at adjusting their curriculum in order to help students keep up with with their studies should distance learning continue.

He says while the child care industry is slowing trending back in a positive direction, many daycare facilities are not out of the water just yet.

New Horizon Academy has 70 facilities, including in St. Cloud and Sartell.

[Source]

New Horizon Academy’s Jeannine Laughlin, Area Director, Tours Outdoor Classroom in Des Moines

Watch as Jeannine Laughlin, Area Director at New Horizon Academy, tours our outdoor classroom in Des Moines, IA school and shares activities you can enjoy outdoors with your family today!

 

Star Tribune Names New Horizon Academy a 2020 Top Workplace

Plymouth, MN (June 29, 2020) — New Horizon Academy has been named one of the Top Workplaces in Minnesota by the Star Tribune. A complete list of those selected is available at StarTribune.com/topworkplaces2020 and will also be published in the Star Tribune Top Workplaces special section on Sunday, June 28.

Produced by the same team that compiles the 29-year-old Star Tribune 100 report of the best-performing public companies in Minnesota, Top Workplaces recognizes the most progressive companies in Minnesota based on employee opinions measuring engagement, organizational health and satisfaction. The analysis included responses from over 76,000 employees at Minnesota public, private and nonprofit organizations.

The results of the Star Tribune Top Workplaces are based on survey information collected by Energage, an independent company specializing in employee engagement and retention.

“New Horizon Academy is honored to be selected as one of Top Workplaces in Minnesota,” said Chief Executive Officer, Chad Dunkley. “It is a testament to the company’s values of respect, integrity, excellence, innovation, leadership, and teamwork. We are proud of our teachers and it is a privilege to provide a workplace that allows them to grow and thrive, and enjoy coming to work. Our teachers do the world’s most important work, and we are excited to continue our growth and success with our most valuable assets – our people.”

Star Tribune Publisher Michael J. Klingensmith said, “The companies in the Star Tribune Top Workplaces deserve high praise for creating the very best work environments in the state of Minnesota. My congratulations to each of these exceptional companies.”

New Horizon Academy is a family-owned and operated company that has been providing high quality care and education to young children for more than 45 years. While focusing on developing a healthy sense of self in each child, New Horizon Academy also strives to provide your child with the necessary skills to succeed not only in school, but in life.

To qualify for the Star Tribune Top Workplaces, a company must have more than 50 employees in Minnesota. Nearly 3,000 companies were invited to participate. Rankings were composite scores calculated purely on the basis of employee responses.

 

A Message from New Horizon Academy’s CEO, Chad Dunkley (June 2, 2020)

Dear families and staff,

I am writing to you today with a heavy heart. In a year of historic and unprecedented events—the devastating COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing economic fallout—we face a continuing crisis as a country and community: racial injustice, discrimination, police brutality, and violations of basic human rights, all of which go against our foundational values and beliefs.

The tragic killings of people of color including Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and now George Floyd in our hometown of Minneapolis have sparked outrage, protests, and violence in Minnesota and across our country. We are collectively witnessing an outpouring of longstanding pain and suffering.

For the past forty years, we have been proud to serve many of the communities most directly affected by the violence of the last week, including our most recent Minneapolis school on W. Lake Street. We are currently working on how we can best support families and staff in areas most impacted. While we know that those needs are most pressing, it is the long-term work of becoming a more just society that is most critical and affects all of us, especially the children who depend on us for guidance and love.

Together we will strive to create a better world with the continued goal to nurture a more diverse and inclusive generation of our young children where inclusion, acceptance, and belonging are recognized and practiced; where respect and fairness are the building blocks of our programs, and where each child and employee knows that when they are with us, they are safe, respected, and valued.

In 2019, our senior leadership team began a more intentional journey towards making structural changes around equity, diversity, and inclusion. We know that in order to make sustainable change, it must start from leadership. We must walk the talk. We must ensure that positive changes flow through every aspect of our work, including the way we teach our children, the way we hire and support our employees, and the way we build and sustain relationships with families. We will likely stumble along the way and ask for your partnership and honest feedback and guidance. And together, we will do better.

All of us at New Horizon Academy truly believe that high-quality, thoughtful early childhood education is a critical piece of effecting much-needed change in our country. We are honored by the trust you have placed in us, and we are dedicated to continuing to serve our communities and families.

Most sincerely,

Chad Dunkley

Chief Executive Officer

 

Children at New Horizon Academy Support Teachers, Families, and Essential Workers by Sewing Face masks

Apple Valley, Minn. (May 14, 2020) – Children at New Horizon Academy show love and support for their teachers, their families, and essential workers. As part of the Caring Beyond the Classroom program, children at New Horizon Academy sewed 150 face masks for their families, a local hospital, and lab workers at Children’s Hospital engaged in the coronavirus fight.

Robin Hills, Director at New Horizon Academy, decided to sew masks for the teachers at her school and for essential workers at a local hospital. The children were intrigued and wanted to make masks, too. So as part of the Caring Beyond the Classroom Program at New Horizon Academy, Robin and the children made masks for families at their school, the children in their class, and essential workers at a local hospital. “The children enjoyed making the masks,” said Robin Hills, Director at New Horizon Academy, “and they were excited to help others. It was a powerful lesson in the importance of helping others.”

“In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, there are wonderful opportunities for children to learn and to support those in need, “ said Cara Johnson-Bader, Vice President of Marketing and Parent Experiences, “Using lessons from our Caring Beyond the Classroom curriculum, children learn valuable lessons of caring for others and practicing kindness during this challenging time. These acts of kindness help children navigate their way through fear and confusion and start children on a path of giving to others.”

The children were proud to share masks with family members and teachers, and to donate to their local hospital.

 

Children at New Horizon Academy Show Love and Support for Doctors and Nurses on the Coronavirus Frontline

PLYMOUTH, Minn. (March 26, 2020) – Children at New Horizon Academy show love and support for doctors and nurses on the coronavirus frontline. As part of the Caring Beyond the Classroom program, children at New Horizon Academy created cards and messages of support for local doctors and nurses engaged in the coronavirus fight.

“Caring Beyond the Classroom helps develop a lifelong commitment to service and encourages collaboration and social responsibility in children,” said Cara Johnson-Bader, Vice President of Marketing and Parent Experiences, “and during these times of uncertainty, acts of kindness assist children navigate their way through fear and confusion.”

All cards will be donated to local hospitals to show support for local doctors and nurses.

 

Minnesota’s Childcare Crisis

Minnesota is out of federal compliance in regards to investments for childcare in the state. Cory Hepola, Host of “Hey It’s Cory Hepola” on WCCO Radio, spoke with our Chief Executive Officer, Chad Dunkley, about the problem and a new funding solution announced today in St. Paul, Minnesota.

New Horizon Academy Opens State-of-the-Art Edina Location

PLYMOUTH, Minn. – New Horizon Academy in Edina is relocating our exceptional program across the street to a beautiful, new, three-story building located at 4412 Valley View Road. Our new school will feature three floors of beautiful, spacious classrooms, state-of-the-art equipment, two large rooftop playgrounds, and so much more.

The new school opens on February 11, 2020, and will replace our current Edina school where we have been since 1988. The new building will have more room to explore and learn with twice as many classrooms as our current building.

“We are so excited to be opening a new Edina school,” said Kelly Ashton, Regional Vice President of New Horizon Academy. “We have been serving the families of Edina for more than 30 years, and we are thrilled to offer them a beautiful new space with more room to learn and play.”

Join us on March 21, 2020, from 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. to celebrate the opening of our new school. There will be free family activities as well as a chance to tour the school, see the classrooms, and learn more about the unique programs that New Horizon Academy has to offer.

     

 

New Horizon Academy to Open New Location in Ramsey

PLYMOUTH, Minn. – New Horizon Academy will be bringing its high-quality early education and child care programs to Ramsey, MN. The new school, 7800 Sunwood Dr. NW, opens on January 20, 2020, and features beautiful, spacious classrooms, state-of-the-art equipment, and so much more.

Teachers will care for and educate more than 130 children between the ages of 6 weeks and 10 years from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The school features safe, well-equipped, and age-appropriate classrooms that are thoughtfully designed to enhance learning through play. The school will also feature safe and fun outdoor play spaces for the children to enjoy.

“We believe that every child deserves the best care and early education,” said Kelly Ashton, Regional Vice President of New Horizon Academy. “We are very excited to be a part of this growing community and to be able to provide Ramsey families and children with our high-quality programs.”

 

Chad Dunkley: Fixing the Broken Economic Model of Early Childhood Education

Transcript:

Chris Riback: Chad, welcome to the studio.

Chad Dunkley: Thank you, Chris. Happy to be here.

Chris Riback: Tell me about the New Horizon Academy. What is it, what’s your philosophy, and how do you scale that to more than 70 schools across Minnesota, Idaho, Iowa and Colorado? And maybe I’m missing a state at this point.

Chad Dunkley: Yes, those are the States we’re in at this point. New Horizon Academy was actually started by my mom in 1971. So I grew up as a kid in the classroom. That’s actually where I learned a lot about early childhood and then I stayed with the company in various roles, became a parent as well, so I see it from that perspective, and our family’s just been very committed to early childhood from the early days. We have grown, actually we have 87 locations now and so we’ve been growing quickly in the last few years as we’ve kind of found our way about how to grow in other States, but it’s Minnesota had been our home for a very long time.

Chris Riback: It’s a wonderful place, Minnesota. I spent a lot of time there. Why is it able to scale? What is it about your approach that allows you to scale the way you have?

Chad Dunkley: Yes, I think part of it is just our established reputation and quality and so when families choose you and they choose you [crosstalk]-

Chris Riback: What’s the core of the philosophy?

Chad Dunkley: The philosophy is really about building children’s self-esteem at a very young age and we incorporate all the best practices in early childhood. We stay on top of the research and so, but it’s still primarily children learn through play and learn through being very active and having our teachers create intentional activities that teach children the types of skills they need to be prepared for life. A lot of it’s social, emotional, executive functioning, how to interact and learn from others, how to self-control, all those really important skills. But then the academic skills of early literacy, math, all of those things incorporated into our schools.

Chris Riback: Now with your spare time, and I mean that facetiously, you also were very active in public policy. There’s actually a lack of strong childcare options in Minnesota, isn’t there?

Chad Dunkley: There absolutely is. We have a flawed economic model in early childhood. We’ve really taught families about they should look for quality. They’ve heard about the brain research, but at the very same time as we’ve increased the quality of childcare. We’ve really left a lot of families out. Young families don’t have the financial security, many of them, to afford the type and level of quality they need for young children when we know how important those classrooms are. So I don’t think the answer to early childhood is really going to come from what parents can afford. It’s going to have to come from governments providing more intervention, positive intervention, helping them financially afford what they need for young children.

Chad Dunkley: We have some scary and sobering statistics. We have a declining birth rate in this country. We have a declining work participation rate. Other countries have surpassed us and that’s because they’ve increased investments and said, “This is worth it for our future economy.” These young families need financial security. They need to stay in the workforce. But their children need something much higher in quality than we used to know about to prepare them for kindergarten and beyond.

Chris Riback: Speaking of getting the government involved, you visited the White House earlier this year, I believe it was.

Chad Dunkley: Yes.

Chris Riback: You attended a session on early childhood learning. What was the session? Did you have a chance to comment? If so, what did you say?

Chad Dunkley: I really talked about this broken economic model. Our teachers need to make more. But early childhood, we have to have small teacher-child ratios. We have to have hours that serve working families. So our schools are open 12 and a half hours a day. But that creates very high labor costs and so we’re unable to pay our teachers what we need and yet we can’t raise tuition rates because parents are strapped. So at the White House, I really said, “It is time for this country to do something like we did for seniors years ago.” We need a family security act. We need to take care of families with little kids, help them thrive, and give them the confidence to grow their families. The future of our country is stake.

Chad Dunkley: Many countries have gone through some of these sobering statistics and it’s really not been good for their country and their future. People keep looking at pre-K as the answer. Let’s start at four. Let’s do a part-time program. It’s the cheapest way to supposedly solve our early education problem. The reality is for families, the crisis starts when you have a baby. Those are the smallest ratios. You’re early in your income cycle. You’ve had nine months to plan for this significant household expense and most families aren’t prepared for it. So we really start families off at the birth of a child in an impossible economic place.

Chris Riback: There’s another important lesson I think that one can take from you. Yes, you have a significant footprint. At the same time, you are not in 50 states.

Chad Dunkley: Sure.

Chris Riback: You’re not the Department of Education, and yet even from your platform, you’re able to make a difference.

Chad Dunkley: I might only be in four states, but I do a lot of national advocacy because I’m watching on the ground family struggle every day. I’m watching people like me who would love to raise my teacher pay, but I know what the budget looks like. We’re trapped without some new investment that really lifts this field forward and it’s time. We have all the research to support. There’s no better thing this country could do for our future than invest and support and strengthen the economic stability of young families.

Chris Riback: Are you hopeful?

Chad Dunkley: I am hopeful. I think there’s not a lot of issues that Republicans and Democrats come together on, but this is one of them. We have seen a historic increase in the Child Care and Development Block Grant. We’ve seen some talk about increasing tax credits for families with little kids and we have people paying attention to these work participation rates. We need every educated worker to be able to go to work. But if those workers have young children, they have to know their children are thriving at the very same time. So I do think this is one of those unique areas right now where we can really get something done.

Chris Riback:  I hope so. Chad, thank you for coming by the studio. Thank you for the work you do, not just with individual families of course, but for public policy.

Chad Dunkley: Thank you, Chris.

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Caring Beyond the Classroom Event at New Horizon Academy Teaches Kids to Give Back

PLYMOUTH, Minn. – New Horizon Academy families and staff participated in a company-wide Caring Beyond the Classroom event on November 12th that helped give back to local community organizations.

Together children, parents, and staff helped to create 2,227 placemats for Meals on Wheels, 2,120 coloring sheets for Color a Smile, 3,004 cat toys for the Humane Society, and 140 tie blankets for The Linus Project. The goal of the event was to create awareness for how families can give back to their community and to create a positive and memorable experience for all.

“Caring Beyond the Classroom helps to develop a lifelong commitment to service and encourages collaboration and social responsibility in children,” said Cara Johnson-Bader, Vice President of Marketing and Parent Experiences. “Our families had a great time coming together, giving back to the community, and teaching their children about the importance of serving others.”

The Caring Beyond the Classroom program is incorporated into our schools year round and through service projects children learn things like citizenship, empathy, kindness, and compassion.

For more information, call (763) 557-1111 or visit www.NewHorizonAcademy.net.

 

Ground Breaking to Begin on New Horizon Academy’s Fourth Colorado School in Lone Tree

DENVER, CO. – New Horizon Academy will be bringing its high-quality early education and child care programs to Lone Tree, CO. The new school is joining three other locations in Colorado, as well as schools in Minnesota, Idaho, and Iowa.

New Horizon Academy will kick off construction of our newest school, located at 9092 Sky Ridge Ave, by hosting a ground breaking ceremony on Wednesday, November 13th at 10:00 a.m. Members of the New Horizon Academy team will join together with city officials to break ground, discuss early education and child care, and enjoy refreshments.

The brand new, state-of-the-art school will feature safe, attractive, and age-appropriate classrooms that are thoughtfully designed to enhance learning through play. The school will also feature safe and fun outdoor play space for the children to enjoy year-round.

“We are excited to be adding a fourth New Horizon Academy to Colorado,” said Roni Mathew, Area Director of New Horizon Academy in Colorado. “We are very excited to be a part of this growing community and to be able to provide Lone Tree families and children with our high-quality programs.”

 

New Horizon Academy to Open New, State-of-the-Art Edina Location

PLYMOUTH, Minn. – New Horizon Academy in Edina is relocating across the street to a beautiful, new, three-story building located at 4412 Valley View Road. Our new school will feature three floors of beautiful, spacious classrooms, state-of-the-art equipment, a large rooftop playground, and so much more.

The new school is expected to open in early 2020 and will replace our current Edina school where we have been since 1988. The new building will have more room to explore and learn with twice as many classrooms as our current building.

“We are so excited to be opening a new Edina school,” said Kelly Ashton, Regional Vice President of New Horizon Academy. “We have been serving the families of Edina for more than 30 years, and we are thrilled to offer them a beautiful new space with more room to learn and play.”

 

New Horizon Academy Holds 17th Annual Professional Development Conference

On Monday, October 14, 2019, New Horizon Academy held their 17th Annual Professional Development Conference. Over 1,800 classroom and management staff attended the conference, which was filled with workshops, recognition and awards for achievement, parent testimonials, and opportunities to collaborate with one another. This year’s theme, Oh, Shift! An Introduction to Conscious Discipline”, took our teachers on an inspirational journey that reinforced the value of their chosen profession. Workshop topics included curriculum enhancements, child development research, cultural awareness, emotional intelligence, food and nutrition, behavior guidance, and more.

The day was a rousing success, and we certainly appreciate the support of our community, including: The Allen Family, Lauren Mealey, Lorraine Smaagaard, Michael & Christy Holm, Brittney & Leonard Young, Xi Chen & Shijing Cheng, Jen & Thomas Wilson, Alexia & Sean Ball, Joe & Becky Serdar, Brad & Melissa Dearman, Caitlin & Justin Bissell, Maggie & Leah Thronaum, Craig & Amy Jo Fulgency, The Justin Family, The Brosnan Family, The Lusk Family, The Hood Family, The Phillips Family, Marisa Thompson, Michelle & Bryan Spratt, Allison & Ryan Storlien, Brian & Lindsay Snow, Alex & Brady Mensing, Noble & Sarah Duncanson, Megan & Kristian Brogger, Kate Wessinger, Andrea Kales, Alyssa & Tommy Ahdreen, Joe & Amy Houseman, Carolyn & Mike Frawley, Molly Erickson, Rita Striefel, Betsy Kujak, Sarah Schramke, Shwetha Vijayakumar, Renee Randall, The VanSloan Family, The Kurhajets Family, The Turnbull Family, Peterson Salt & Water Treatment, Milow Electric, Schmitty & Son School Buses, Anthony Marchiafava, Wissota Supply Co., G & J Awning, Tom Fish, Ez Write LLC, MJ Kretsinger, Distinctive Window Cleaning Inc., Once Upon A Star, Signs Unlimited, Blaine Auto Care & Transmission, Christian Festvog, CNH Architects Woodshop of Avon, CRM Web Solutions, Roof Tech, Harbinger Healthcare LLC, Spectrum Sign Systems, Inc., Crosstown Lawn & Snow, Froehling Anderson, ASAP Inc., Cre8Play LLC, Randy’s Sanitation, Rylaur LLC, Rainbow Party Arts, Minnesota Bank and Trust, Patriot Construction, V & E Contracting, Lakeshore Learning, and Boelter/Premier.

New Horizon Academy Opened a New School in Boise in Partnership with The Salvation Army

BOISE, ID. – New Horizon Academy, family-owned and operated child care provider, has opened its fifth Idaho school located at 9492 West Emerald Street in Boise. The new school in Boise joins more than 60 locations in Minnesota, as well as three locations in Colorado, and three locations in Iowa.

New Horizon Academy’s new location will care for more than seventy children, infants through five years old. The new school is located on the campus of the Booth Marian Pritchett School Program at The Salvation Army. New Horizon Academy will care for children of parents attending the school, and in addition will be open to the public.

“We are so excited and honored to be able to partner with The Salvation Army to provide onsite care at the Booth Marian Pritchett School,” said Cammra Wakagawa, area director of New Horizon Academy in Idaho. “We are thrilled to have our beautiful new space open to serve the families of this wonderful community.”

Child Care Crisis in MN

Why is child care so expensive in Minnesota and can anything be done to help families with the cost? Our very own Chief Executive Officer, Chad Dunkley, joined Cory Hepola in studio with some answers. Listen below!

Des Moines Register Names New Horizon Academy a Winner of the Iowa Top Workplaces 2019 Award

DES MOINES, IA. September 16, 2019 – New Horizon Academy has been awarded a Top Workplaces 2019 honor by the Des Moines Register. The list is based solely on employee feedback gathered through a third-party survey administered by research partner Energage, LLC, a leading provider of technology-based employee engagement tools. The anonymous survey measures several aspects of workplace culture, including alignment, execution, and connection, just to name a few.

“Top Workplaces is more than just recognition,” said Doug Claffey, CEO of Energage. “Our research shows organizations that earn the award attract better talent, experience lower turnover, and are better equipped to deliver bottom-line results. Their leaders prioritize and carefully craft a healthy workplace culture that supports employee engagement.”

“New Horizon Academy is honored to be selected as one of Top Workplaces in Iowa,” said Chief Executive Officer, Chad Dunkley. “It is a testament to the company’s values of respect, integrity, excellence, innovation, leadership, and teamwork. We are proud of our teachers and it is a privilege to provide a workplace that allows them to grow and thrive, and enjoy coming to work. Our teachers do the world’s most important work, and we are excited to continue our growth and success with our most valuable assets – our people.”

“Becoming a Top Workplace isn’t something organizations can buy,” Claffey said. “It’s an achievement organizations have worked for and a distinction that gives them a competitive advantage. It’s a big deal.”

About Energage, LLC
Headquartered in Exton, Pa., Energage is a leading provider of technology-based employee engagement tools that help leaders to unlock potential, inspire performance, and achieve amazing results within their organizations. The research partner behind the Top Workplaces program, Energage has surveyed more than 57,000 organizations representing well over 19 million employees in the United States.

 

New Horizon Academy Opened a New School in Broomfield – Its Third in the State of Colorado

DENVER, CO. – New Horizon Academy, family-owned and operated child care provider, is thrilled to have opened its third Colorado school located at 555 Zang Street in Broomfield. The new school in Broomfield joins more than 60 locations in Minnesota, as well as five locations in Idaho, and three locations in Iowa.

Teachers at our new school in Broomfield will care for more than 180 children between the ages of 6 weeks and 10 years. The beautiful new school, located on the corner of Zang Street and W. Flatiron Crossing Drive, features safe, well-equipped, and age-appropriate classrooms. Our school has been thoughtfully designed to enhance learning through play. The school also features safe and unique outdoor play spaces, which the children will enjoy throughout all seasons.

“We know the Denver area is growing faster than its supply of high quality child care,” said Chad Dunkley, CEO of New Horizon Academy. “So we are thrilled to offer the families in the Broomfield area another high quality option.  The best way to see the New Horizon difference is to come in for a tour.”

 

New Horizon Academy Opened a New School in Stapleton – It’s Second in the State of Colorado

DENVER, CO. – New Horizon Academy, family-owned and operated child care provider, has opened its second Colorado school located at 9200 E. 40th Avenue in Stapleton, with one more school to come in the area. The new school in Denver joins more than 60 locations in Minnesota, as well as four locations in Idaho, and three locations in Iowa.

New Horizon Academy, who has been serving families since 1971, provides highly trained teachers, a proven curriculum, and safe and secure facilities, all aimed at supporting children’s self-esteem and preparing them for kindergarten and beyond. New Horizon Academy is a nationally recognized high-quality early learning provider with all of its eligible schools accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the gold standard in its industry. New Horizon Academy’s mission is to provide the best child development on the planet.

Teachers will care for and educate more than 180 children between the ages of 6 weeks and 10 years between the hours of 6:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. The new school features safe, well-equipped, and age-appropriate classrooms that are thoughtfully designed to enhance learning through play. The school will also feature safe and unique outdoor play spaces for the children to enjoy.

“We believe that every child deserves the best care and early education,” said Chad Dunkley, CEO of New Horizon Academy. “We are thrilled to be able to provide the families of Colorado with our high-quality child care and early education programs.”

For more information, call 720-547-7476 or visit www.NewHorizonAcademy.net

 

New Horizon Academy in Downtown Des Moines is Now Accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children

DES MOINES, IA – New Horizon Academy in downtown Des Moines is now accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). NAEYC is the nation’s premier organization for early childhood accreditation and represents the mark of high quality in early childhood education.

To achieve accreditation, New Horizon Academy in downtown Des Moines completed a rigorous process of self-study, demonstrated high-quality programming in all NAEYC Early Childhood Program Standards, participated in an on-site visit by an early childhood expert, and underwent a final review by the NAEYC commission.

To be NAEYC accredited means that you must meet standards that far exceed state licensing’s highest requirements. A child attending an accredited school will get the highest quality, both in the developmental programming for young children and in the health and safety of the environment.

“It is a huge accomplished and such an honor to have our school be nationally accredited by the most elite organization in early childhood education,” said Amber Schaben, Director of New Horizon Academy.

One hundred percent of eligible New Horizon Academy schools are accredited. This is an accomplishment no other child care provider of our size has achieved, and only six percent of early childhood programs nationwide are accredited. As an accredited program, New Horizon Academy in downtown Des Moines joins a select group of early childhood education centers distinguished by our quality, our commitment to young children, and our dedication to excellence.

 

Star Tribune Names New Horizon Academy a 2019 Top Workplace

Plymouth, MN June 16, 2019—New Horizon Academy has been named one of the Top Workplaces in Minnesota by the Star Tribune. A complete list of those selected is available at StarTribune.com/topworkplaces2019 and will also be published in the Star Tribune Top Workplaces special section on Sunday, June 16.

Produced by the same team that compiles the 28-year-old Star Tribune 100 report of the best-performing public companies in Minnesota, Top Workplaces recognizes the most progressive companies in Minnesota based on employee opinions measuring engagement, organizational health and satisfaction. The analysis included responses from over 140,000 employees at Minnesota public, private and nonprofit organizations.

The results of the Star Tribune Top Workplaces are based on survey information collected by Energage, an independent company specializing in employee engagement and retention.

“New Horizon Academy is honored to be selected as one of Top Workplaces in Minnesota,” said Chief Executive Officer, Chad Dunkley. “It is a testament to the company’s values of respect, integrity, excellence, innovation, leadership, and teamwork. We are proud of our teachers and it is a privilege to provide a workplace that allows them to grow and thrive, and enjoy coming to work. Our teachers do the world’s most important work, and we are excited to continue our growth and success with our most valuable assets – our people.”

Star Tribune Publisher Michael J. Klingensmith said, “The companies in the Star Tribune Top Workplaces deserve high praise for creating the very best work environments in the state of Minnesota. My congratulations to each of these exceptional companies.”

New Horizon Academy is a family-owned and operated company that has been providing high quality care and education to young children for more than 45 years. While focusing on developing a healthy sense of self in each child, New Horizon Academy also strives to provide your child with the necessary skills to succeed not only in school, but in life.

To qualify for the Star Tribune Top Workplaces, a company must have more than 50 employees in Minnesota. Over 2,000 companies were invited to participate. Rankings were composite scores calculated purely on the basis of employee responses.

 

New Horizon Academy to Open New Location in Broomfield

PLYMOUTH, Minn. – New Horizon Academy will be bringing its high-quality early education and child care programs to Broomfield, CO. The new school, located at 555 Zang Street, is joining two other locations in Colorado, as well as schools in Minnesota, Idaho, and Iowa.

Teachers will care for and educate more than 180 children between the ages of 6 weeks and 10 years from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The school features safe, attractive, and age-appropriate classrooms that are thoughtfully designed to enhance learning through play. The school will also feature safe and fun outdoor play spaces for the children to enjoy.

“We believe that every child deserves the best care and early education,” said Chad Dunkley, CEO of New Horizon Academy. “We are very excited to be a part of this growing community and to be able to provide Broomfield families and children with our high-quality programs.”

 

 

New Horizon Academy Opened a New School in Johnston – Its Third in the State of Iowa

PLYMOUTH, Minn. – New Horizon Academy, family-owned and operated child care provider, has opened its third Iowa school located at 8650 NW 62nd Avenue in Johnston. The new school in Johnston joins two other Iowa locations, as well as locations in Colorado, Idaho, and Minnesota.

New Horizon Academy, who has been serving families since 1971, provides highly trained teachers, a proven curriculum, and safe and secure facilities, all aimed at supporting children’s self-esteem and preparing them for kindergarten and beyond. New Horizon Academy is a nationally recognized high-quality early learning provider with all of its eligible schools accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the gold standard in its industry. New Horizon Academy’s mission is to provide the best child development on the planet.

Teachers will care for and educate more than 170 children between the ages of 6 weeks and 10 years between the hours of 6:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. The new school features safe, well-equipped, and age-appropriate classrooms that are thoughtfully designed to enhance learning through play. The school will also feature safe and unique outdoor play spaces for the children to enjoy.

“We believe that every child deserves the best care and early education,” said Chad Dunkley, CEO of New Horizon Academy. “We are thrilled to be able to provide the families of Iowa with our high-quality child care and early education programs.”

For more information, call 515-348-4028 or visit www.NewHorizonAcademy.net.

 

New Horizon Academy Opened a New School in Centennial – Its First in the State of Colorado

PLYMOUTH, Minn. – New Horizon Academy, family-owned and operated child care provider, has opened its first Colorado school located at 10472 E. Easter Ave. in Centennial, with two more schools to come in the area. The new school in Centennial joins more than 60 locations in Minnesota, as well as four locations in Idaho, and three locations in Iowa.

New Horizon Academy, who has been serving families since 1971, provides highly trained teachers, a proven curriculum, and safe and secure facilities, all aimed at supporting children’s self-esteem and preparing them for kindergarten and beyond. New Horizon Academy is a nationally recognized high-quality early learning provider with all of its eligible schools accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the gold standard in its industry. New Horizon Academy’s mission is to provide the best child development on the planet.

Teachers will care for and educate more than 180 children between the ages 6 weeks and 10 years between the hours of 6:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. The new school features safe, well-equipped, and age-appropriate classrooms that are thoughtfully designed to enhance learning through play. The school will also feature safe and unique outdoor play spaces for the children to enjoy.

“We believe that every child deserves the best care and early education,” said Chad Dunkley, CEO of New Horizon Academy. “We are thrilled to be able to provide the families of Colorado with our high-quality child care and early education programs.”

For more information, call 720-502-6192 or visit www.NewHorizonAcademy.net

 

New Horizon Academy Hosts Book Drive to Benefit Reach Out and Read

In honor of “I Love to Read” month, we are conducting a book drive to collect new or gently used children’s books to benefit the programs of Reach Out and Read, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting early literacy.

Families are invited to bring new or gently used books to any of our New Horizon Academy locations. The books will be delivered to local hospitals and clinics.

Your support helps ensure school readiness and positive outcomes for children. With your cooperation, we can spread the joy of reading and nurture a nation of readers. Donations will be accepted at New Horizon Academy schools February 1st through February 28th. Thank you in advance for your generous donations!

 

Childcare: Connected

 

“Hi, buddy! Mommy’s back!”

I say to my 4-month-old as I scoop him up from the playmat at daycare.

It’s been a solid eight hours since I kissed his rosy cheeks goodbye, but I already know so much about his day: I know he pooped at 10:35 a.m. (whew!), drained three 6-ounce bottles (growing boy!) and took two naps (9:45 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.) — the dreaded catnaps, but hey, at least he slept. I also know he enjoyed an afternoon stroll outside, as evidenced by a snapshot of him smiling in the buggy.

How do I know all this?

Well, fortunately, our childcare center uses a mobile app that enables teachers to give parents real-time updates of their child’s day — and it’s not the only one. All across Minnesota (and the country), childcare centers are diving into the digital age as a way to streamline and simplify communication between parents and staff.

“We were kind of ahead of the curve in using an app, but it was just the right thing to do for families,” said Cara Johnson-Bader, the vice president of marketing and parent experiences for Plymouth-based New Horizon Academy, which operates 74 centers in four states.

“Our young families want information right away, and this was the route to go,” added New Horizon Academy marketing manager Katie Heruth, who helped roll out the Daily Connect app (screenshots below) for New Horizon locations in 2013.

Meanwhile, in Bloomington, another childcare center has embraced the digital era — Kinderplatz Childcare & Education Center, which started using the Tadpoles app in 2014.

Switching to electronic reporting has not only eased communication — it’s also given centers an eco-friendly boost, said Kristi McKee, assistant director at Kinderplatz.

“Reducing the amount of paper we use also reduces the amount of ink we need to purchase, which ultimately saves us money that can be used toward improved child programs, staff training and furniture and equipment purchases,” McKee said.

Bridging the gap

For parents, these apps often act as a digital observation deck, inviting them into the classroom throughout the day. In addition to offering a comprehensive daily report sent via text or email at the end of the day, many daycare apps also enable parents to receive real-time updates.

Teachers can grab one of the classroom’s tablet devices to quickly log diaper changes, bottle feedings and nap times, which parents then receive via email or mobile alerts.

“Daily Connect has done a lovely job of bridging the gap from home to school,” Johnson-Bader said. “Obviously, children are the priority, so teachers respond when they can, but it really is a nice bridge for that communication.”

Beyond diaper blowouts and bottle feedings, these apps can also be used to invite parents into their child’s daily learning, especially for toddlers and preschoolers.

If children are engaged in a STEAM activity, for example, teachers can take photos and send them to families to document the special learning that’s taking place based on the curriculum in the classroom.

Peace of mind — at home and abroad

Getting on-the-go messages and photos can ease the mind of anxious parents — especially if their child just entered daycare or is transitioning to the next classroom.

“If a parent drops off their toddler and he’s crying because of separation anxiety, five minutes later the child may be engaged in activity,” Johnson-Bader said. “The teacher can snap a photo and send it to Mom to let her know he’s having a happy day.”

For parents who travel for work, the real-time updates can make the time away feel less isolating, Johnson-Bader said.

“A mom who was traveling extensively was missing her child, but getting updates on Daily Connect made the trip much easier,” she said. “The teachers were aware she was traveling, so they made sure to send her a lot of updates.”

Convenience for all

Whether it’s teachers wrangling squirmy limbs during diaper changes or parents rushing off to a meeting, it can be difficult to step aside for a call every time information needs to be relayed.

Luckily, these apps make it fast and easy to send notes back and forth. Parents can quickly alert teachers about things like an early pickup, late drop-off or that Grandma will be picking up Henry today.

“I’ve used the app to request that they give my little one her inhaler around lunch time if I forgot to ask them at drop off, or to let them know that I was able to make a doctor’s appointment in the afternoon,” said Emily Vonder Haar, whose daughter, Anna, attends Kinderplatz.

Likewise, teachers can quickly send notes to parents — “Ava is running low on diapers.” — or create action items that appear on the parents’ dashboards in red until they’re addressed.

“It’s much easier to communicate about the child’s day through Tadpoles, versus having to write out everything by hand,” said Annalissa Hansen, a teacher in the infant classroom at Kinderplatz.

Another teacher at New Horizon in Bloomington agreed: “I believe this is a far better method for parent communication versus handwritten daily sheets. It is much easier and more convenient for teachers.”

While many activities are logged in real time, teachers can do even more entries during nap time.

Teachers at Kinderplatz said they like the administrative portal of the Tadpoles app because it allows staff to quickly send urgent, center-wide alerts to all families in the event of an emergency or unexpected closing. Childcare apps also allow teachers to quickly access each child’s medical, allergy and approved-guardian information from one centralized location.

‘How was your day?’

For toddlers and preschoolers, the apps’ daily activity reports can be a great conversation starter — a kickoff to that car-ride talk or dinnertime chat. Instead of asking vague questions (which often result in equally vague answers), parents can use the daily report and photos to initiate more meaningful and personalized discussions.

“I feel more engaged in my kid’s day,” Vonder Haar said. “I am able to ask questions and ‘surprise’ her that I know what she has done.”

Both the Tadpoles and Daily Connect apps allow teachers to snap and send photos (or in some cases, even videos) of kids throughout the day — a feature that wins over the hearts of many parents.

“It certainly puts us at ease, seeing his smiling face and knowing he is keeping active and engaged,” one mom said. “It’s easier to leave him when we know we’ll be getting updates each day.”

Some parents download the photos for personal use, as well as revisit photos from past weeks, months or even years with the app essentially becoming a chronological digital photo album for their child.

“One of my favorite things about the app is that I can go back to October 2015 to see how big my little one was versus October 2016, 2017 and 2018,” Vonder Haar said. “It’s fun to look back, as the time goes so fast.”

Some apps come with additional safety precautions regarding photos.

For example, Tadpoles disables the ability to download a photo if it also features other parents’ kids. Administrators can also opt to approve all photos before they’re shared.

For New Horizon’s Daily Connect app, parents can sign a release allowing (or declining) New Horizon’s authority to take and post photos of their child through the app.

“The teachers are very mindful of that when they take photos,” Johnson-Bader said.

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New Horizon Academy in West Des Moines is Now Open

PLYMOUTH, Minn. – New Horizon Academy has opened its newest school in West Des Moines located at 9040 University Avenue. This new school is the second Iowa location and joins more than 70 other locations in Minnesota, Colorado, and Idaho.

Teachers will care for and educate more than 170 children ages 6 weeks through 4th grade between the hours of 6:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. The school features safe, attractive, and age-appropriate classrooms that are thoughtfully designed to enhance learning through play. The school will also feature safe and fun outdoor play spaces for the children to enjoy.

“We believe that every child deserves the best care and early education,” said Chad Dunkley, CEO of New Horizon Academy. “We are very excited to be a part of this growing community and to be able to provide West Des Moines families and children with our high-quality programs.”

 

New Horizon Academy’s Own, Penny Allen, Named 2018 CFO of the Year Honoree

PLYMOUTH, Minn. – (November 14, 2018) New Horizon Academy CFO, Penny Allen, was selected by the Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journal as a 2018 CFO of the Year Honoree.

Each year the Business Journal recognizes the Twin Cities’ top financial executives from companies large and small. These executives are evaluated by a panel of other financial leaders who score them on their contributions to their company and the community as well. This year, Penny was among more than 20 other prominent executives in the workforce to be honored with this elite award.

Penny has been with New Horizon Academy for 24 years now and she plays a very crucial role on the leadership team. Known at New Horizon as the “CFO with a heart,” Penny is very active in her support of charitable causes such as Children’s Minnesota and the Susan G. Komen foundation.

“We are so proud that Penny has been honored as a 2018 CFO of the Year,” said Chad Dunkley, CEO of New Horizon Academy. “She is such an important asset to New Horizon Academy and the work she does in our company, and the community, makes a huge difference in the lives of children and their families.”

For more information, call 763-557-1111 or visit www.NewHorizonAcademy.net.

 

New Horizon Academy Holds 16th Annual Professional Development Conference

On Monday, October 8, 2018, New Horizon Academy held their 16th Annual Professional Development Conference. Nearly 2,000 classroom and management staff attended the conference, which was filled with workshops, recognition and awards for achievement, parent testimonials, and opportunities to collaborate with one another. This year’s theme, What’s Your NHA Story?, took our teachers on an inspirational journey that reinforced the value of their chosen profession. Workshop topics included curriculum enhancements, child development research, cultural awareness, emotional intelligence, food and nutrition, behavior guidance, and more.

The day was a rousing success, and we certainly appreciate the support of our community!

 

 


New Horizon Academy in Shakopee is Now Open

PLYMOUTH, Minn. – New Horizon Academy has opened its newest school in Shakopee located at 1615 Windermere Way. This new school is joining more than 60 other New Horizon Academy locations in Minnesota.

Teachers will care for and educate more than 170 children ages 6 weeks through 4th grade between the hours of 6:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. The school features safe, attractive, and age-appropriate classrooms that are thoughtfully designed to enhance learning through play. The school will also feature safe and fun outdoor play spaces for the children to enjoy.

“We believe that every child deserves the best care and early education,” said Chad Dunkley, CEO of New Horizon Academy. “We are very excited to be a part of this growing community and to be able to provide Shakopee families and children with our high-quality programs.”

Call to Action

Please join us for our Grand Opening open house on Saturday, November 3rd, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. You will have the opportunity to tour our brand new school, meet our wonderful staff, and enjoy the free family activities. We hope to see you there!

For more information, call (651) 424-0463 or visit www.NewHorizonAcademy.net 

 

New Horizon Academy Opens New School in Downtown Des Moines – Its First in the State of Iowa

PLYMOUTH, Minn. – New Horizon Academy, family-owned and operated child care provider, has opened its first Iowa school located at 450 SW 9th Street in Des Moines, with two more schools to come in the area. The new school in downtown Des Moines joins more than 60 locations in and around the Twin Cities of Minnesota, as well as four locations in Idaho, and two locations soon to come in Colorado.

New Horizon Academy, who has been serving families since 1971, provides highly trained teachers, a proven curriculum, and safe and secure facilities, all aimed at supporting children’s self-esteem and preparing them for kindergarten and beyond.  New Horizon Academy is a nationally recognized high-quality early learning provider with all of its eligible centers accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the gold standard in its industry. New Horizon Academy’s mission is to provide the best child development on the planet.

Teachers will care for and educate more than 160 children ages 6 weeks through 5 years between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. The new school features safe, well-equipped, and age-appropriate classrooms that are thoughtfully designed to enhance learning through play. The school will also feature safe and unique outdoor play spaces for the children to enjoy.

“We believe that every child deserves the best care and early education,” said Chad Dunkley, CEO of New Horizon Academy. “We are thrilled to be able to provide the families of Des Moines with our high-quality child care and early education programs.”

Call to Action

Please join us for our Grand Opening open house on Saturday, August 11th, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Enjoy a day filled with free family activities that include Iowa-State-Fair-themed games and activities, face painting, a live animal experience, fair food, and more. You will have the opportunity to tour our brand new school, meet our wonderful staff, and enjoy the fun activities. We hope to see you there!

For more information, call 515-282-4229 or visit www.NewHorizonAcademy.net

 


New Horizon Academy Area Director Named Governing Board Member of Idaho AEYC

PLYMOUTH, Minn. – Cammra Wakagawa, the area director for New Horizon Academy, received the honor of being named a governing board member of the Idaho Association for the Education of Young Children (Idaho AEYC).

Idaho AEYC is a part of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) which is the nation’s premier organization for early childhood accreditation and represents the mark of high quality in early childhood education. Board members must be very passionate about advancing Idaho’s early learning profession and they are essentially the voice for high quality early learning.

The governing board members serve to support, promote and facilitate the goals and objectives of Idaho AEYC. Each member who is selected serves a 2-year term beginning July 1 of the year elected and extending to June 30 of the final year of the term.

“We are so proud to have Cammra represent New Horizon Academy on the Idaho AEYC governing board,” said Chad Dunkley, CEO of New Horizon Academy. “She is very committed to helping children receive the highest quality care and the work she does makes a huge difference in the lives of children and their families.”

 

New Horizon Academy to Open New Location in Shakopee

PLYMOUTH, Minn. – New Horizon Academy will be bringing its high-quality early education and child care programs to Shakopee in fall of 2018. The new school, located at 1615 Windermere Way, is joining more than 60 other New Horizon Academy locations in Minnesota.

Teachers will care for and educate more than 170 children ages 6 weeks through 4th grade between the hours of 6:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. The school features safe, attractive, and age-appropriate classrooms that are thoughtfully designed to enhance learning through play. The school will also feature safe and fun outdoor play spaces for the children to enjoy.

“We believe that every child deserves the best care and early education,” said Chad Dunkley, CEO of New Horizon Academy. “We are very excited to be a part of this growing community and to be able to provide Shakopee families and children with our high-quality programs.”

 

 

Construction Global: Holistic Building with Community in Mind

Written By Olivia Minnock 
Produced By Tom Venturo

 

“Working at New Horizon Academy, where children have a safe place to grow and learn, I’m doing something that matters and will have a long-term impact on the community.” For Alan Ruth, Vice President of Facilities & Construction, New Horizon Academy is more than just a developer – it works to nurture the children and communities of the future.

The family-owned Minnesota business was founded by elementary school teacher Sue Dunkley who recognised the need for children to learn in a nurturing environment. The company is now led by her son, CEO Chad Dunkley, who was one of the first students at a New Horizon Academy. Since 1971, New Horizon Academy has expanded across the US to design and build bespoke, holistic school buildings and is still growing, with 75 schools in its portfolio and 12 under development.

Ruth joined the business in 2014 and has brought many elements of the business together, overseeing a variety of departments like construction/development, purchasing, maintenance, IT and the company’s 100-plus fleet. “They needed someone to head up that national presence and help grow the brand across the US. I have many different department heads who report to me, and I set them up for the future. I started working with key decision-makers for the company, inside and out, seeing what our goals were and putting all departments on track to achieve those goals.” He also oversees day-to-day facilities management: “At all times, we’re negotiating long- term contracts, for all services, which include: energy, lawn care, snow removal, cleaning and repairs.”

Full Story

Download the Issue

 

Star Tribune Names New Horizon Academy a 2018 Top 150 Workplace

Plymouth, MN June 21, 2018—New Horizon Academy has been named one of the Top 150 Workplaces in Minnesota by the Star Tribune. A complete list of those selected is available at StarTribune.com/topworkplaces2018 and will also be published in the Star Tribune Top Workplaces special section on Sunday, June 24.

Produced by the same team that compiles the 27-year-old Star Tribune 100 report of the best-performing public companies in Minnesota, Top Workplaces recognizes the most progressive companies in Minnesota based on employee opinions measuring engagement, organizational health and satisfaction. The analysis included responses from over 71,000 employees at Minnesota public, private and nonprofit organizations.

The rankings in the Star Tribune Top 150 Workplaces are based on survey information collected by Energage, formerly WorkplaceDynamics, an independent company specializing in employee engagement and retention.

New Horizon Academy was ranked 22 on the large company list.

“New Horizon Academy is honored to be selected as one of the Top 150 Workplaces in Minnesota,” said Chief Executive Officer, Chad Dunkley. “It is a testament to the company’s values of respect, integrity, excellence, innovation, leadership, and teamwork. We are proud of our teachers and it is a privilege to provide a workplace that allows them to grow and thrive, and enjoy coming to work. Our teachers do the world’s most important work, and we are excited to continue our growth and success with our most valuable assets – our people.”

Star Tribune Publisher Michael J. Klingensmith said, “The companies in the Star Tribune Top 150 Workplaces deserve high praise for creating the very best work environments in the state of Minnesota. My congratulations to each of these exceptional companies.”

New Horizon Academy is a family-owned and operated company that has been providing high quality care and education to young children for more than 45 years. While focusing on developing a healthy sense of self in each child, New Horizon Academy also strives to provide your child with the necessary skills to succeed not only in school, but in life.

To qualify for the Star Tribune Top Workplaces, a company must have more than 50 employees in Minnesota. Over 2,400 companies were invited to participate. Rankings were composite scores calculated purely on the basis of employee responses.

 

 

National Child Care Company Expands to Colorado

New Horizon Academy, a Minnesota-based family-owned and operated child care provider, has begun construction of its first Colorado school at the Denver Tech Center, 10472 E. Easter Ave., Centennial. The company also recently broke ground on a second location in Stapleton, 9200 E. 40th Ave.

The new schools join a growing footprint of 70 New Horizon Academy locations in and around the Twin Cities of Minnesota, four in Idaho and two in Iowa.

“At New Horizon, we are constantly tracking the regions with the greatest need for high-quality early learning and child care,” Chad Dunkley, CEO of New Horizon Academy, said in a news release. “Colorado’s booming population, with a shortage of child care openings, was a top market when we planned our national expansion.”  Dunkley notes the company plans to add four locations in the state within the coming year.

The Centennial location is anticipated to open in August, and the Stapleton site is expected to open in September.

New Horizon Academy has been serving families since 1971. For more information, call 720-419-3353 or visit www.NewHorizonAcademy.net

Full Story

 

National Child Care Company Announces Iowa Expansion

PLYMOUTH, Minn. (May 21, 2018) – New Horizon Academy, a Minnesota-based family-owned and operated child care provider, has announced plans to expand in Iowa, adding three Des Moines area locations in 2018. The three schools will bring 530 much-needed openings for children ages six weeks through five years as the region continues its rapid growth, particularly of young families with children.

The opening of the first New Horizon Academy, located at 550 SW 9th Street in the Gray’s Landing development in downtown Des Moines, which is currently under construction, is slated for July. Ground will be broken for a second location, in West Des Moines at 9040 University Ave., on May 21, with an opening expected in September. Next month, construction begins on a third location in Johnston, at 8633 Crescent Chase, which is expected to open in October.

Teachers will care for and educate children between the hours of 6:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. The New Horizon Academy schools features safe, well-equipped, and age-appropriate indoor and outdoor classrooms and playgrounds that are thoughtfully designed to enhance learning through play.

“Our expansion team closely tracks demographics to identify communities that are experiencing population booms and analyze the need for child care resources for growing families,” said Chad Dunkley, CEO of New Horizon Academy, which has 60 locations concentrated primarily in the Twin Cities of Minnesota. “We also match demographic criteria of communities against what we’ve seen in the Twin Cities in terms of parent expectations for care and early childhood education, and how we can uniquely serve these needs. All around, Iowa was a natural choice for our national expansion and we look forward to becoming a part of the Des Moines community.”

As part of its presence in communities, the company also advocates for families at the state and federal levels, on opportunities and issues related to quality rankings and standards for child care facilities, and access and affordability of quality care for families. New Horizon Academy is a recognized leader for its involvement in early childhood brain development research as well as research on the economic returns of investing in early learning programs.

“We look forward to partnering with Iowa legislators and representing a greater portion of the Midwest at the U.S. capitol, on behalf of Des Moines families,” said Dunkley, who currently serves as president of the Minnesota Childcare Association and has been a leader in the launch of the state’s early childhood scholarships and the Parent Aware ranking system for families choosing care for their children.

New Horizon Academy has been serving families since 1971, and provides highly trained teachers, a proven curriculum, and safe and secure facilities, all aimed at supporting children’s self-esteem and preparing them for kindergarten and beyond. New Horizon Academy is a nationally recognized high quality early learning provider with all of its eligible centers accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the gold standard in its industry. New Horizon Academy’s mission is to provide the best child development on the planet. For more information, call 515-608-6933 or visit www.NewHorizonAcademy.net 

 

Nearly 1,000 child care slots opening in Des Moines metro

Six child care centers are opening in the Des Moines metro this year, bringing nearly 1,000 much-needed slots for families with young children.

According to the Iowa Child Care Resource and Referral, both Polk and Dallas counties have a shortage of child care options.

New housing is bringing in more families to the metro, which saw the population of children age 5 and younger increase from 2012 to 2017. But during that same span, the metro had a decrease in the number of child care programs, the resource and referral agency reports.

Minneapolis-based New Horizon Academy is building three of the new child care centers in Des Moines, Johnston and West Des Moines.

The company’s centers will have room for about 530 children.

“Our expansion team closely tracks demographics to identify communities that are experiencing population booms and analyze the need for child care resources,” said Chad Dunkley, chief executive of New Horizon Academy.

New Horizon’s first center will open this summer at 550 S.W. Ninth St. near downtown Des Moines in the Cityville mixed-use development. The multi-story center will have a rooftop playground for preschoolers and a ground-floor playground for infants and toddlers, Watson said.

The Cityville location will accept children from six weeks to kindergarten.

The company’s second center will open in late fall at 9040 University Ave. in West Des Moines. It will accept up to 182 children from six weeks to fourth grade. Programs include before- and after-school and summer sessions.

The Johnston center at 8633 Crescent Chase also will accept 182 children when it opens by the end of the year. It is similar in design to the West Des Moines center.

The three child care centers are New Horizon’s first foray into the Iowa market. The company operates about 65 centers in three states.

New Horizon was founded 47 years ago by Dunkley’s mother, Susan Dunkley. Chad Dunkley was the center’s first student.

Full Story

 

New Horizon Academy’s Own, Clare Sanford, Honored at the Business Journal’s 2018 Women in Business Awards

PLYMOUTH, Minn. – (May 17, 2018)  New Horizon Academy Director of Government and Community Relations, Clare Sanford, was honored at the Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journal 2018 Women in Business Awards Luncheon and Expo.

Each year the Business Journal recognizes the Twin Cities’ most influential women in the workforce. These women include industry-leading executives, business owners and entrepreneurs. This year, Clare was among more than 40 other prominent women in the workforce to be honored with this elite award.

In her role Clare is an advocate for making sure that each child in Minnesota has plenty of opportunities and access to high-quality early education and care. Clare also serves as a board member for the Minnesota Child Care Association, the Northside Achievement Zone and Parent Aware.

“We are so proud that Clare has been honored at the 2018 Women in Business Awards,” said Chad Dunkley, CEO of New Horizon Academy. “She is such an important asset to New Horizon Academy and the work she does makes a huge difference in the lives of children and their families.”

 

National Child Care Company Expands into Colorado

PLYMOUTH, MN (May 14, 2018) — New Horizon Academy, a Minnesota-based family-owned and operated child care provider, has begun construction of its first Colorado school at the Denver Tech Center, 10472 E. Easter Ave., in Centennial, and broken ground on a second location in Stapleton, at 9200 E. 40th Ave. The new schools join a growing footprint of 70 New Horizon Academy locations in and around the Twin Cities of Minnesota, four in Idaho and two in Iowa.

“At New Horizon, we are constantly tracking the regions with the greatest need for high-quality early learning and child care,” said Chad Dunkley, CEO of New Horizon Academy.  “Colorado’s booming population, with a shortage of child care openings, was a top market when we planned our national expansion.”  Dunkley notes the company plans to add four locations in the state within the coming year.

The current New Horizon Academy locations in development are equipped to care for 376 children, ages six weeks through five years. The new Centennial location is anticipated to open in August. The company expects its Stapleton site to open in September.  The schools feature state-of-the-art, well-equipped and age-appropriate classrooms, and playgrounds that are thoughtfully designed to enhance learning through play.

New Horizon Academy has been serving families since 1971, and provides highly trained teachers, a proven curriculum, and safe and secure facilities, all aimed at supporting children’s self-esteem and preparing them for kindergarten and beyond.  New Horizon Academy is a nationally recognized high quality early learning provider with all of its eligible centers accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the gold standard in its industry. New Horizon Academy’s mission is to provide the best child development on the planet. For more information, call 720-419-3353 or visit www.NewHorizonAcademy.net

 

New Horizon Academy Collects 7,711 Books in Honor of “I Love to Read Month”

PLYMOUTH, Minn. – In honor of “I Love to Read” month, New Horizon Academy conducted a book drive to collect new or gently used children’s books to benefit the programs of Reach Out and Read.

Reach Out and Read is a nonprofit organization that promotes early literacy and school readiness in pediatric exam rooms nationwide by giving new books to children and advice to parents about the importance of reading aloud. Reach Out and Read serves more than 4 million children and their families annually.

During the month of February, New Horizon Academy families were invited to bring new or gently used books to any of our New Horizon Academy locations. The support of families donating books helps ensure school readiness and positive outcomes for children. With the cooperation of our families, we are able to spread the joy of reading, and nurture a nation of readers.

“Developing early literacy skills is essential for a child to succeed in elementary school,” said Desiree Culhane, Director of New Horizon Academy, Apple Valley.  “We are delighted to help support the important mission of Reach Out and Read.”

All 7,711 books that were donated will be delivered to the Children’s Hospital and Clinics of Minnesota.

 


Children’s Menu Grows Up: Innovations in Feeding at New Horizon Academy

Each issue of Viewpoint features members from different business segments who have demonstrated exceptional leadership in foodservice. Here is how the Premier Foodservice program has benefited our staff, facility and families due to the efforts of our Food and Nutrition Specialist, Jill Weldon.

The Situation

Early childhood educator New Horizon Academy was looking to make menu updates in order to better align their offerings with new USDA child and adult care food program guidelines. Going beyond standard kid-friendly foods at all 70+ Midwest locations was critical to Jill Weldon, supporting their mission of providing nutrition to empower children’s physical, cognitive, emotional and physical growth.

“While at first we heard ‘where’s my syrup?’ from the children, we’re now hearing ‘where’s my yogurt for waffle dipping?’” – Jill Weldon

The Solution

Jill tapped into the expertise of Premier’s registered dietitian Stacy Lofton, Director of Nutrition, Strategic Sourcing & Solutions, to help revamp the five-week cycle menu, create and test recipes, and locate products that met established criteria for lower sodium and sugar. Together, they incorporated healthful but somewhat unfamiliar items in a way that appealed to the diverse groups of children, staff and families served at the Minnesota and Idaho centers. For instance, syrup was taken off the menu and replaced with berries, lower sugar yogurt and cinnamon; processed cheese for pretzel dipping was replaced with hummus or honey mustard. The new offerings were rolled out gradually to give the children a chance to acquaint themselves with the different types of meals and snacks.

To learn more, download the full issue below.

Download Full Issue

 

New Horizon Academy Opens in Payne-Phalen Area of St. Paul

Legislative and economic development leaders, families and new employees gather to celebrate what’s possible with early childhood education scholarships and financial assistance

PLYMOUTH, Minn. Feb. 1, 2018 – The newest New Horizon Academy, located at 327 York Avenue in St. Paul, was the site of a recent gathering of advocates for early childhood education accessibility, economic development representatives from St. Paul and the state of Minnesota, families, children, teachers and caregivers. All attended the ribbon-cutting of the 61st school in the New Horizon Academy family of early learning centers in the Twin Cities. The York Avenue location is the sixth New Horizon Academy in St. Paul.

The facility brings 40 new jobs to the Payne-Phalen neighborhood. Teachers will care for and educate 200 children, ages six weeks through fourth grade, between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. The school features safe, attractive, and age-appropriate classrooms and playgrounds that are thoughtfully designed to enhance learning through play.

Proponents of early education credit the opening of the facility to Minnesota’s early learning scholarships that are available to many families in the community. New Horizon Academy anticipates a diverse group of children from families that use child care assistance and those who pay tuition privately.

“We believe that every child deserves the best care and education,” said Chad Dunkley, CEO of New Horizon Academy, who welcomed attendees to the event. “Yet we have a long way to go toward meeting the need by increasing assistance, fixing reimbursement rates, increasing income eligibility and exploring creative tax models that are working in other states.”

“There is great demand for quality programs for parents who want and need to work, with peace of mind that their child’s care is high-quality, convenient and affordable,” said Dunkley, who also serves as president of the Minnesota Childcare Association.

Ten years ago, Dunkley, legislators and company executives piloted the first early education scholarships in the state at the New Horizon Academy on Rice Street in St. Paul. Since the program’s inception, there has been a waiting list of families needing assistance. Today, 2,500 families in Minnesota are waiting for scholarships.

Dunkley was joined at the opening event by Representative Jenifer Loon, House Education Finance chair; Kelly Monson: executive director of Governor Dayton’s Children’s Cabinet; Kaohly Her of the office of St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter; and Senator Carla Nelson, Senate Education Finance Chair and congressional candidate.

“I am pleased to help recognize this most recent New Horizon Academy campus. It is gratifying to see that state policies that empower parental choice and high standards are leading to improved educational offerings for students,” said Senator Nelson.

 

Teacher Reading

New Horizon Academy to Provide Employer Sponsored Care at Land O’ Lakes Headquarters

PLYMOUTH, Minn. – New Horizon Academy will provide on-site child care for Land O’ Lakes employees at their newly expanded Arden Hills Campus starting in May 2018.

Teachers at the new location will care for and educate up to 124 children ages 6 weeks through 5 years between the hours of 6:15 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.  The programs at this New Horizon Academy location will be available only to Land O’ Lakes employees who are parents or legal guardians.

The school will feature state-of-the-art, well-equipped, and age-appropriate classrooms and playgrounds that are thoughtfully designed to enhance learning through play. The school will also feature safe and unique outdoor play spaces for the children to enjoy.

“When an employer provides on-site child care, employees work hard, stay with their jobs, miss fewer work days, and brag about the places they work,” said Chad Dunkley, CEO of New Horizon Academy. “With that said, we are thrilled to be able to provide this amazing benefit to the employees of Land O’ Lakes, and we are certain they will love the high-quality programs that New Horizon Academy has to offer.”

For more information, call 763-557-1111 or visit www.NewHorizonAcademy.net

 

New Horizon Academy - Minneapolis Lake Street

New Horizon Academy – Lake Street Earns 2017 MSCA Starr Award

New Horizon Academy on Lake Street in Minneapolis was awarded the 2017 MSCA Starr Award for best exterior retail renovation/remodel under 20,000 square feet. All entries for the 2017 MSCA Shopping Center Tribute Award for Retail Real Estate are judged and reviewed by a group of industry specialists, experts and peers who are closely involved with retail real estate.

In 2015, New Horizon Academy took ownership of a dark and dank building in South Minneapolis, Champion’s bar and banquet space. The building, which is located on heavily trafficked Lake Street, has gone through a major transformation and has brought a whole new look and feel to the neighborhood.

The new state-of-the-art building offers a bright and modern exterior with a large green space, something that is unique to New Horizon Academy in this urban area. Inside of the building teachers care for and educate infants through school agers.

New Horizon Academy is so honored to receive this award and we could not be more thrilled to be a part of this thriving community!

 

Downtown Des Moines Groundbreaking

New Horizon Academy Celebrates Ground Breaking of Downtown Des Moines School

PLYMOUTH, Minn. – New Horizon Academy, family-owned and operated child care provider, is breaking ground on its first Iowa school located at 450 SW 9th Street in Des Moines. The new school in downtown Des Moines joins more than 60 locations in and around the Twin Cities of Minnesota, as well as four locations in Idaho.

The ground breaking ceremony took place at the new site on Wednesday, December 6th, at 10:30 a.m. Members from New Horizon Academy, Estes Construction, and Des Moines East + South Chamber were present, along with many more community members.

“We believe that every child deserves the best care and early education,” said Chad Dunkley, CEO of New Horizon Academy. “We are thrilled to be bringing our high quality child care and early education programs to the families of Des Moines.”

New Horizon Academy, who has been serving families since 1971, provides highly trained teachers, a proven curriculum, and safe and secure facilities, all aimed at supporting children’s self-esteem and preparing them for kindergarten and beyond.  New Horizon Academy is a nationally recognized high quality early learning provider with all of its eligible centers accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the gold standard in its industry. New Horizon Academy’s mission is to provide the best child development on the planet.

The new Downtown Des Moines school, which is anticipated to open in the spring of 2018, will care for and educate children ages 6 weeks through 5 years. The school features state-of-the-art, well-equipped, and age-appropriate classrooms and playgrounds that are thoughtfully designed to enhance learning through play.

For more information, call 763-557-1111 or visit www.NewHorizonAcademy.net

 

New Horizon Academy Child Care and Early Education

New Horizon Academy to Open New Location on York Avenue in St. Paul (Now Open!)

PLYMOUTH, Minn. – New Horizon Academy will open its newest school located at 327 York Avenue in St. Paul in early 2018. The York Avenue school is joining five St. Paul schools and more than 60 other New Horizon Academy locations in the Twin Cities.

Teachers will care for and educate more than 150 children ages 6 weeks through 4th grade between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. The school features safe, attractive, and age-appropriate classrooms and playgrounds that are thoughtfully designed to enhance learning through play. The school will also feature safe and fun outdoor play spaces for the children to enjoy as well as a large indoor gym.

“We believe that every child deserves the best care and early education,” said Chad Dunkley, CEO of New Horizon Academy. “We are very excited to be a part of this neighborhood and to be able to provide even more St. Paul families and children with our high quality programs.”

 

New Horizon Academy Holds 15th Annual Professional Development Conference

On Monday, October 9, 2017, New Horizon Academy held their 15th Annual Professional Development Conference. Over 1,600 classroom and management staff attended the conference, which was filled with workshops, recognition and awards for achievement, parent testimonials, and opportunities to collaborate with one another. This year’s theme, Ignite Your Passion, took our teachers on an inspirational journey that reinforced the value of their chosen profession. Workshop topics included curriculum enhancements, child development research, cultural awareness, emotional intelligence, food and nutrition, behavior guidance, and more.

The day was a rousing success, and we certainly appreciate the support of our community, including: 4Imprint Inc., Advanced Electrical Services Inc., Arrowwood Resort, As Soon As Possible, Inc., Cre8Play, LLC, DeeDee Keswani, ACME Window Cleaning Door Service Company, Inc., Froehling Anderson, Medina Entertainment Center, Milow Electric, Inc., MN Medical Training Services, On Time Delivery Services, Inc., Once Upon A Star, Rylaur, LLC, Schmity & Son School Buses, Inc., Signs Unlimited of Plymouth, Teachers on Call, Telesystems, Inc., Tom Fish, Tumble Fun Bus, LLC, Vanguard Construction Inc., Wissota Supply Company, Christensen Group, Richard Craven, EzWrite, Jesse Woodford, Kate Horst – SEEDS of Early Learning, MadKat Design, Kari Guida and Nathan Roisen, Toni Olson, Brandy Gilbert, Traci and Matt Anderson, Kelly and Greg Deleon, Jim and Leanne Matchen, Dinan Jiang, Melissa and Zach Ensign, Trista McCormick, Anne and Sam Goodwin, Pamela Schurman, Shanna Senn, Kim Cole, Georgianne Speliopoulos, Theresa Johnson, Ashley and Kristopher Block, Jeff and Claire Rathburn, Tracy Davies, Sarah Schramke, Kevin and Kristen Wilson, Kellie Mabis, Deepak Bhaskar and Jaspreet Narr, Manika McCall, Tonya Radel, and Katie Heruth.

 

2017 Most Admired CEOs: Chad Dunkley

by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal

Chad Dunkley, CEO of New Horizon Academy, defies a classic CEO stereotype – he never puts the bottom line first. For a CEO running a company dedicated to increasing early-education opportunities for kids, that’s an invaluable mentality.

“We really believe in doing the right thing for the kids,” Dunkley said. “We often say that our CFO has the toughest job, because most of us sit around the table and say, ‘There’s this new thing and it’s the best thing to do for kids,’ and we just look at the CFO and say, ‘You find a way to pay for it.’ “

Dunkley, himself, is an example of the successes of New Horizon’s child care programs. His mother founded the company, and Dunkley and his brother were two of its first students. Since then he’s stayed in the classrooms, spending time as a teacher’s aid, waxing floors, supervising cleaning crews and working on the company’s financial side. In 2002, he became chief operating officer and moved into the CEO position three years ago.

New Horizon has opened 22 new centers since 2002, and plans to open nine more in the next year, including expanding into Iowa and Colorado. The company serves nearly 10,000 children every day.

Dunkley’s leadership philosophy maintains that every single goal put forward is met.

“Leadership comes down to the little things that you do every day. And we have a commitment here that we keep our promises, and we only make promises we can keep.”

Beyond his work at New Horizon, Dunkley spends time in the community advocating about the importance of funding early child care. Sweeping budget cuts to Minnesota education in 2002 made it difficult for low- and middle-income families to afford early child care, but Dunkley and his team convinced allies in the business community to pilot early-education scholarships. The pilot was successful, and the Legislature created the Minnesota Early Learning Scholarship fund soon afterwards.

That advocacy work was how long-time employee and now Executive Vice President Mary Terrass first met Dunkley.

“A group of us were at the Capitol one day testifying,” Terrass said. “He got up and testified and I was absolutely amazed at not only his grasp of the issues, but also the passion that he had. And I remember thinking to myself, ‘I really want to work with someone like that one day.’ ”

Read the full article here.

 

New Horizon Academy – Elk River Achieves Re-Accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children

New Horizon Academy in Elk River has achieved re-accreditation by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). NAEYC is the nation’s premier organization for early childhood accreditation and represents the mark of high quality in early childhood education.

To maintain accreditation, New Horizon Academy-Elk River completed a rigorous process of self-study, demonstrated high-quality programming in all NAEYC Early Childhood Program Standards, participated in an on-site visit by an early childhood expert, and underwent a final review by the NAEYC commission.

To be NAEYC accredited means that you must meet standards that far exceed state licensing’s highest requirements. A child attending an accredited school will get the highest quality, both in the developmental programming for young children and in the health and safety of the environment.

“It is a huge accomplished and such an honor to have our school continue being nationally accredited by the most elite organization in early childhood education,” said Katie Kantor, Director of New Horizon Academy-Elk River.

One hundred percent of eligible New Horizon Academy schools are accredited. This is an accomplishment no other child care provider of our size has achieved, and only six percent of early childhood programs nationwide are accredited. As an accredited program, New Horizon Academy – Elk River joins a select group of early childhood education centers distinguished by our quality, our commitment to young children, and our dedication to excellence.

 

Star Tribune names New Horizon Academy a 2017 Top Workplace

New Horizon Academy has been named one of the Top Workplaces in Minnesota by the Star Tribune. A complete list of those selected is available at StarTribune.com/topworkplaces2017 and will also be published in the Star Tribune Top Workplaces special section on Sunday, June 25.

Produced by the same team that compiles the 26-year-old Star Tribune 100 report of the best-performing public companies in Minnesota, Top Workplaces recognizes the most progressive companies in Minnesota based on employee opinions measuring engagement, organizational health and satisfaction. The analysis included responses from over 69,000 employees at Minnesota public, private and nonprofit organizations.

The results of the Star Tribune Top Workplaces are based on survey information collected by WorkplaceDynamics, an independent company specializing in employee engagement and retention.  “New Horizon Academy is honored to be selected as a Top Workplace in Minnesota,” said Chief Executive Officer, Chad Dunkley. “It is a testament to the company’s values of respect, integrity, excellence, innovation, leadership, and teamwork. We are proud of our teachers and it is a privilege to provide a workplace that allows them to grow and thrive, and enjoy coming to work. Our teachers do the world’s most important work, and we are excited to continue our growth and success with our most valuable assets – our people.”

Star Tribune Publisher Michael J. Klingensmith said, “The companies in the Star Tribune Top Workplaces deserve high praise for creating the very best work environments in the state of Minnesota. My congratulations to each of these exceptional companies.”

New Horizon Academy is a family-owned and operated company that has been providing high quality care and education to young children for more than 45 years. While focusing on developing a healthy sense of self in each child, New Horizon Academy also strives to provide your child with the necessary skills to succeed not only in school, but in life.

To qualify for the Star Tribune Top Workplaces, a company must have more than 50 employees in Minnesota. Over 2,000 companies were invited to participate. Rankings were composite scores calculated purely on the basis of employee responses.

 

Best of Treasure Valley

New Horizon Academy Voted Best Child Care Facility in Treasure Valley Reader’s Choice Awards

PLYMOUTH, Minn. – Idaho Statesman reader’s voted New Horizon Academy the Best Child Care Facility in the 2017 Readers Choice Awards.

The Best of Treasure Valley is broken down in to 5 categories. Each category has different subcategories in which the readers vote on. Once the results are in, the top three businesses are invited to a special ceremony in which the best of each category are announced.

New Horizon Academy is a family owned and operated company that has four locations in the Treasure Valley. New Horizon provides high quality care and education to children ages 6 weeks through 12 years. While focusing on providing children with the skills to succeed in school and life, New Horizon also strives to build a healthy sense of self within each child.

“It is such an honor to be voted the Best Child Care Facility in the Treasure Valley,” said Cammra Wakagawa, Area Director of New Horizon Academy. “Our teachers and staff work extremely hard to provide the highest quality of care and education to our families, so we are thrilled to receive this award.”

For more information, call 763-557-1111 or visit www.NewHorizonAcademy.net.

 

Coon Rapids Daycare

New Horizon Academy in Coon Rapids Expands and Remodels School

After serving the Coon Rapids community for nearly 28 years, New Horizon Academy has undergone a complete expansion and renovation, inside and out, and we want you to be the first to see it! We have added over 5,000 square feet of early learning classrooms.

“The renovation and expansion features brand new, state of the art learning equipment and outdoor playgrounds that are unique and creative and are sure to impress,” said Leah Koerber, Director of New Horizon Academy Coon Rapids. “We are so excited to show off our beautifully remodeled school!”

Like our Facebook page to keep up to date with the latest news and events at our Coon Rapids school!

 

New Horizon Academy Receives Lake Street Council’s Community Impact Award

PLYMOUTH, Minn. – New Horizon Academy, located at 105 W. Lake Street in Minneapolis, was one of four businesses to receive Lake Street Council’s annual Community Impact Award. This award is given to innovative businesses who are involved in making the Lake Street corridor a better place.

New Horizon Academy has been locally family owned and operated since opening its first child care program in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, in 1971.  The commitment to excellence that our founder, Sue Dunkley, strived for in New Horizon’s beginning is the foundation that our company is built on and the cornerstone of each New Horizon Academy.

New Horizon on West Lake Street opened in January 2017 and will provide high quality care and early childhood education to more than 150 children in the area. So far, New Horizon Academy on West Lake Street has provided thirteen jobs to local residents and we look forward to adding many more.

“More and more young families are choosing to remain in the city of Minneapolis, so we are thrilled to offer our programs in a neighborhood that is convenient for families and part of a dynamic urban environment,” said Chad Dunkley, CEO of New Horizon Academy. “We believe that every child deserves the best care and early education.”

For more information, call 763-557-1111 or visit www.NewHorizonAcademy.net

 

Chad Dunkley, CEO, Named 2017 Most Admired CEO Honoree

by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal

We are so proud of our very own Chad Dunkley, Chief Executive Officer of New Horizon Academy, who was chosen as one of the ten 2017 Most Admired CEOs! This award was given by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal, and honorees are selected because of their outstanding contributions to their company, industry and community.

Chad, who has been with New Horizon Academy for more than 25 years, provides passionate leadership for our company, and also drives the culture of “continuous improvement” at all New Horizon Academy locations.
There are so many reasons Chad received this award, but perhaps none better than his ability to unite diverse segments and groups with a shared purpose as he leads our company and industry to a grander goal: ensuring access to high quality early learning experiences for all children regardless of race, ethnicity or income. Chad is changing the future one child at a time, all while leading a company where people love to work.

“It is an honor and a privilege to work with Chad every day. He inspires all of us who believe in the value of early care and education, and this recognition is so very well-deserved!”

New Horizon Academy - Uptown

New Horizon Academy Joins Uptown, Minneapolis Community

PLYMOUTH, Minn. – On Thursday, March 2nd, 2017, New Horizon Academy will open its doors to the community of Uptown, Minneapolis with a brand new multi-story, state-of-the-art early learning school located at 2431 Hennepin Avenue South.

Teachers will care for and educate more than 150 children ages 6 weeks through 4th grade between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. The school features safe, attractive, and age-appropriate classrooms and playgrounds that are thoughtfully designed to enhance learning through play. One of the most unique features of this location is the second level play deck that is home to separate toddler and preschool playgrounds.

“We believe that every child deserves the best care and early education,” said Chad Dunkley, CEO of New Horizon Academy. “More and more young families are choosing to reside in the city of Minneapolis, so we are thrilled to offer our programs in a neighborhood that is convenient for families and part of a dynamic urban environment.”

New Horizon Academy on Hennepin Avenue South is one of two new Minneapolis locations to open this year. “With the help of the new and innovative State Early Learning Scholarships, New Horizon Academy has been able to continue our expansion to serve more families in south Minneapolis,” said Chad Dunkley. The second south Minneapolis location on West Lake Street, opened in January of 2017.

 

New Horizon Academy - Minneapolis Lake Street

New Horizon Academy Will Provide Access to High Quality Early Education on West Lake Street in Minneapolis

PLYMOUTH, Minn. – On Monday, January 16, 2017, New Horizon Academy will open its doors to the Lyndale neighborhood of Minneapolis with a brand new, state-of-the-art building located at 105 W. Lake Street.

Teachers will care for and educate more than 150 children ages 6 weeks through 4th grade between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. The school features safe, attractive, and age-appropriate classrooms and playgrounds that are thoughtfully designed to enhance learning through play.
“We believe that every child deserves the best care and early education,” said Chad Dunkley, CEO of New Horizon Academy. “More and more young families are choosing to remain in the city of Minneapolis, so we are thrilled to offer our programs in a neighborhood that is convenient for families and part of a dynamic urban environment.”

New Horizon Academy on West Lake Street is one of two new Minneapolis locations to be opening this winter. “With the help of the new and innovative State Early Learning Scholarships, New Horizon Academy has been able to continue our expansion to serve more families in south Minneapolis,” said Chad Dunkley. The second south Minneapolis location on Hennepin Avenue in Uptown, is scheduled to open in February of this year.

 

New Horizon Academy – St. Louis Park (Now Open!)

New Horizon Academy opened its doors to the St. Louis Park community in August of 2016. Our newest school, located at 2460 Hwy. 100 S. in St. Louis Park, will care for and educate more than 150 children from ages 6 weeks through 4th grade. Our beautiful, state-of-the-art facility features safe, age-appropriate classrooms that are filled with materials to enhance learning and fun. The Director, Susan Zackery, brings more than 15 years of experience in early education and is excited to meet St. Louis Park children and families!

St. Louis Park After School Care

 

“We love New Horizon Academy! The teachers are wonderful and it is so nice that we walk in to the school and everyone knows us. Each day we pick up our son he is smiling and has learned something new.”

— Carla K., Parent at New Horizon Academy

School Readiness Study

Preparing children for academic success is of vital importance at New Horizon Academy. We know that children need to be well prepared and cared for so they are ready to begin the life-long learning journey. This belief is confirmed by research, which shows that a child’s early nurturing and learning experiences lay the foundation for his or her future success in school and in life.

One of the key elements to academic success is a thoughtfully planned program like that at New Horizon Academy. Our well-developed curriculum and assessment process, which focuses on the development of all learning domains (personal/social, language/literacy, mathematical thinking, physical, and the arts), produce positive results in terms of school readiness and are essential for continued strong academic performance in the school years that follow.

School Readiness

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