About Shawnee Weekday Early Learning Center
Shawnee Weekday Early Learning Center was established as an outreach to the community in 1969. Our program is dedicated to providing a safe, loving and wholesome environment for young children and their families. Each day children are greeted with a play-based approach in which they are encouraged to learn through hands-on interactive exploration with developmentally appropriate materials. This approach, in conjunction with a flexible teacher-guided curriculum, encourages children to construct their own learning knowledge.
We believe parents play the most vital role in a child’s education and are committed to creating a nurturing environment in partnership with the families of the children we care for. Our staff receive comprehensive ongoing professional development to stay current with the unique needs of young children and their families. Shawnee Weekday Early Learning Center participates in the Child and Adult Care Food Program to provide nutritious meals and snacks to enrolled children, as well as, contribute to their healthy growth and development.
Our mission is to provide a safe and loving sanctuary where children and their families know they are loved and respected by professional staff who follow a developmentally appropriate curriculum to foster growth in every child. Shawnee Weekday Early Learning Center strives to be a regional leader in early childhood education.
History of Shawnee Weekday Early Learning Center
Shawnee Weekday Early Learning Center (SWELC) began as Shawnee Weekday Nursery School under the direction of Azuba Meffley. As more families became two parent working families, childcare services were added for children ages 3 and up. The program name was changed to Shawnee Weekday Early Learning Center when the Infant and Toddler Building was added by previous Director, Dianne Hile, in 2010. This addition filled a tremendous need in the community. In 2015, Shawnee Weekday Early Learning Center entered into a partnership with West Ohio Community Action Partnership to provide Early Head Start to children ages 6 weeks to 3 years old under the leadership of former Director, Leigh Ditto.
Current Director, Cheryl Munson, began her role at SWELC in late 2015. Under her leadership, Shawnee Weekday Early Learning Center achieved and maintains the highest rating in Ohio’s Step up to Quality program, exceeding Ohio licensing standards for childcare and education. SWELC was named Best of the Region in two categories, Childcare, and Preschool provider, for 2022 and 2023. As Shawnee Weekday has continued to grow, our commitment to the community and children we serve has remained the same.
Licensing
Shawnee Weekday Early Learning Center is licensed by the Ohio Department of Children & Youth. SWELC accepts enrollment of families receiving Publicly Funded Child Care benefits and/or the Child Care Choice Program voucher. Shawnee Weekday Early Learning Center was awarded the Early Childhood Education grant through the State of Ohio. This state funded ECE grant is awarded to early care and education programs who provide developmentally appropriate learning environments that address the outcomes and goals essential for healthy development and academic growth.
