Monroe Smart Start

We are celebrating Kid Angles: The Early Education School’s Level 4 achievement! Great work to the owner, Noel Fridley Hanson, Directors- Robyn Winstead and Katie Smith, and the entire early childhood staff. We are proud of you and so grateful for your commitment to children and families.

Just in case we forget to tell you… Level #4! We are so excited! 💙

Join us at Regional Opportunity Initiatives Annual Report to the Region!

On Friday, October 2, leaders from across the Indiana Uplands will gather at French Lick Resort to celebrate the projects, partnerships, and innovation shaping the future of our region.

We’re especially excited to be part of the conversation with a session focused on Next-Generation Child Care: Exploring New Models for Families, Employers, and Communities.

We’ll explore emerging strategies—including micro-facilities, Tri-Share, employer tax incentives, and community-driven investments—that can help communities build stronger, more sustainable child care solutions.

If you’re an employer, community leader, economic development partner, early learning professional, funder, school leader, or policymaker, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

Child care is workforce infrastructure—and building the next generation of solutions will take all of us.

We hope to see you in French Lick on October 2. Registration is FREE- register here: https://regionalopportunityinc.org/artr26/
Monroe County Community School Corporation Northeast Indiana Early Childhood Coalition Indiana Chamber of Commerce FSSA- Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning

October 2, 2026: ROI Annual Report to the Region » Regional Opportunity Initiatives Join us in French Lick Resort for an inspiring look at the projects, partnerships, and people making a difference across the Indiana Uplands. Registration now open!

📣 New in the Indiana Uplands: The Best Place for Working Parents®

Supporting working parents isn’t just good for families—it’s good for business.

Through Hoosier Milestones, Indiana Uplands Smart Start is bringing the Best Place for Working Parents® initiative to employers across the Indiana Uplands.

In just 3 minutes, employers can assess their family-friendly workplace practices, see how they compare with similar businesses, and potentially earn the Best Place for Working Parents® designation.

✅ How does your workplace measures up?
Take the 3-minute assessment:
https://business.bestplace4workingparents.com/

Stronger families. Stronger businesses. A brighter Indiana Uplands.

Regional Opportunity Initiatives

Need to meet the On My Way Pre-K service requirement?

Credentials to Careers (C2C) may be an option! This FREE, virtual program helps participants take steps toward employment or education while building practical skills along the way.

👉 Register today:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf6X3ExIgwYBMFGwSCu_4HBVTKpCox586SPJzcAER1SntFwmg/viewform?usp=publish-editor

Questions? Contact Nicole Richardson: [email protected]
Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County Ivy Tech Community College Bloomington

Looking for infant or toddler care? Check out The Chandler Center. Bloomington’s newest center with sliding scale options for eligible families.

🍎School is in session, and it's time for Chandler Center 101!🍎

Here are the facts:
1.) The Chandler Center is open 7 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday, year-round
2.) The center serves children ages 6 weeks through 2, until their 3rd birthday
3.) The Chandler Center provides high-quality care and education that is developmentally appropriate for infants and toddlers. The curriculum is based on the needs and interests of students and is always play-based, child-led, and respectful, trustful, and authentic towards students.

To qualify, you must meet one of the following criteria:
1.) Pay full tuition rates- $425 a week for infants and $335 a week for toddlers
2.) Have CCDF Vouchers
3.) Receive one of our limited sliding-scale tuition spots by providing documentation of household income that is between 150-200% of the federal poverty level for your household size

If you're interested in enrolling your child, begin your application via Brightwheel using this link: https://tinyurl.com/CELCwaitlist

It's time to register!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tandem-presents-parents-in-academia-tickets-1994680870178

Join Tandem for Parents in Academia, an open house to learn about child care and resources available to you while navigating parenthood. Come find your village!

Looking for infant and toddler care? Check out The Chandler Center, Bloomington’s new infant/toddler center.

Infant spots available at Kid Angles: The Early Education School, Level 3 Paths to QUALITY program. Move fast as these won’t last!

Infant care openings are rare… and right now, we have a few available.

Our Monkey House is ready to welcome new families into a warm, nurturing environment where responsive caregiving, strong relationships, and developmentally appropriate experiences lay the foundation for lifelong learning.

Whether you’re expecting, returning to work, or searching for a program that feels like home, we’d love to meet you.

Contact us today before these openings are filled!