United Way Ministry Daycare Improvements
Indianapolis, IN

In partnership with United Way and other Indianapolis area consulting firms and contractors, Halstead Architects worked to improve area Ministry Daycare programs. The state developed the Paths to Quality rating system to help improve the quality of Church child care programs as children who spend time in high-quality early childhood programs are more likely to succeed in school. Becoming involved in the Paths to Quality program can be a daunting task, it was the goal of United Way and consulting firms to help guide and motivate programs to participate in the program to improve affordable care offered to area families.

In 2008 and 2009, 13 child care facilities were assessed and improvements to these facilities all related to the health and safety of the children who spend their days in these programs were undertaken. Each child care ministry is committed to long-term improvement of not only its facility, but also its curriculum, instruction and staff development. Improvements include: upgrading light fixtures, additional restrooms, monitored fire alarm system, emergency exits, adequate windows and daylight, sinks in toddler and infant rooms, additional square footage for classrooms, and fencing around outdoor play areas.

Completed in June 2011, Phase II of the Child care Improvement Project required Halstead Architects to evaluate an additional 65 registered ministry daycares in Central Indiana. At the close of the project, the number of Central Indiana Ministry Daycares participating in the Paths to Quality program rose from 2 to 25. We are excited to see many of the programs are continuing to improve, with some even setting goals to reach licensure in the coming years.