HISTORY
Founded in 1908, Milestones Early Learning Center & Preschool has a history of providing affordable, high quality early care and education for generations of children, and is committed to the same for your child. The Center provides a warm, nurturing environment that will enhance the development of your child. Milestones is a not-for-profit agency governed by a volunteer Board of Directors comprised of members of the Bloomington-Normal community.
In January of 2008, we celebrated 100 years of service and introduced the name of Milestones Early Learning Center & Preschool. Throughout our history, we’ve been known as:
THE DAY NURSERY ASSOCIATION • 1908-1968
We were located at 1210 W. Mulberry Street in Bloomington until 1912, and then relocated to 1320 W. Mulberry Street, where we remained until 1968.
THE DAY CARE CENTER OF McLEAN COUNTY • 1968-2008
In 1968 we moved to 315 N. Stillwell on the west side of Bloomington.
MILESTONES EARLY LEARNING CENTER & PRESCHOOL • 2008-Present
We became known as Milestones Early Learning Center & Preschool in 2008. In 2014, we moved to our beautiful, new location at 1207 Six Points Rd, Bloomington, Illinois 61701.
OUR MISSION
To provide high quality, accessible and affordable child care and early education for children six weeks through twelve years in a safe and enriching environment that helps children and families grow and develop.
CORE VALUES
We believe in an individual’s unlimited potential.
Everyone has the capacity to achieve greatness through their unique abilities and talents. Individuals thrive in a safe and positive environment with activities that are enriching, creative, stimulating, challenging, motivating and empowering. Everyone at the Center is a lifelong learner.
We believe in quality child care and early education as a valuable community asset.
To provide quality services, the Center facilitates the meaningful contribution of parents, families, children, teachers, staff, and other community resources. Quality child care and early education elevates a community by strengthening families, allowing parents to work and raise young children into thoughtful and responsible citizens. A community that invests in its children is investing in its future.
We believe in high standards of personal behavior.
Excellence is our standard. We lead by our example and our personal and professional practices are consistent with our mission and values. We earn trust by following through on our promises and commitments and holding each other and ourselves accountable for actions and behaviors. We treat each person respectfully, truthfully and with dignity.
We believe in diversity and inclusivity.
The Center welcomes all people of all ethnic, socio-economic and faith backgrounds, including children with special needs. We show respect toward all people, value each other, and behave with dignity, integrity, and acceptance. We create an environment where people can express themselves freely.
We believe in continuous improvement.
The Center embraces change as an opportunity for growth and innovation. We are responsive to the evolving needs of our children and families and the changing external environment. We strive to be a leader in the child care and early education field and contribute to best practices locally, state-wide and nationally.
OUR GOAL
Through all activities at Milestones Early Learning Center & Preschool, an attempt is made to create and develop in each child the following:
- A feeling of belonging, love, and respect
- Friendliness, empathy, and consideration for others
- Self-confidence and positive self-image
- A love of learning
- An ability to solve problems
- An ability to express oneself
- An ability to participate in group activities
