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The Nurturing Nook Tops Favorite North Shore Day Care Poll

Late surge pushes the child care center past runner-up Milestones Programs for Children.

The results are in, and with more than 2500 votes tallied in our readers' choice poll, garnered 1497 votes (58%) and topped our North Shore search for the favorite child care center.

The Nurturing Nook, with locations in Glendale and Fox Point, has been caring for children age six weeks through nine years since May 1989.

The childcare center was created to provide a small, warm, inviting and safe home-like atmosphere. They offer an educationally enriching and developmentally appropriate environment for children to grow and develop to his or her potential, .

In our poll, Nurturing Nook made a late surge as led most of the week. Milestones garnered 722 votes (28%) to grab second place and came in third with 145 votes (2%).

and YMCA Dunwood Child Care Center receive honorable mentions with 36 and 27 votes respectively.

So, congratulations to The Nurturing Nook. We'll be running more Reader's Choice polls in the coming weeks, including in the North Shore next week, so be sure to vote in those as well.

David Montemurri March 6, 2012 at 08:14 pm
To Anonymous:
As a Director at Milestones Programs for Children, I am sorry that this is the impression you were left with. This is certainly not the way we want any of our many families to feel. I welcome the opportunity to hear more specifically about your experience. We value all of our customers input and always look for ways to improve the Milestones experience. Feel free to call me at 964-5545. David Montemurri Executive Director Business Operations
Tom March 6, 2012 at 09:16 pm
Anonymous, I cannot imagine how you could say that about Milestones. My children have been in Milestones since they were infants to the afterschool programs and the Camp M summer day camps. My middle schooler can't wait for the field trips in the summer and yet still has fond memories of her teacher when she was 3! The 3rd grader still does not when to leave at pick up time. Milestones is by far the best!
Adam W. McCoy (Editor) March 6, 2012 at 09:27 pm
Consider it added Laura.
Adam W. McCoy (Editor) March 6, 2012 at 09:34 pm
Hello Kelly. I unfortunately can't remove the Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center from the poll because it received votes and I don't have the ability to add the votes to Gan Ami. But, at the end of the week, when I tally everything up, I'm make sure to add the votes for both daycares.
Papia Goon March 6, 2012 at 09:54 pm
Dunwood YMCA childcare is serving the community for years. Is it possible to add the name in the list please?
Jonah March 6, 2012 at 09:57 pm
As a parent of a 5-month old, I entrust the staff of the Gan Ami Early Childhood Program at the JCC. Each day starts with an excited greeting from a phenomenal, caring, nurturing, and supportive staff. They have, in the past two months since beginning the program, become an extension of our own family. Being Milwaukee transplants, my wife and I are very thankful for such a wonderful support system. Each and every day I know that my child is safe, cared for, and most importantly, loved. That makes the difference between good and great -- Gan Ami is great and I could not ask for a better place. Thank you to the JCC and the staff of Gan Ami for making our entry into parenthood a less scary experience.
Adam W. McCoy (Editor) March 6, 2012 at 10:00 pm
Yep, sure thing Papia.
Anonymous March 6, 2012 at 10:08 pm
Our child attends the Nurturing Nook in Fox Point (previously the Columbia St. Mary's Children's School). We have been very happy with the school. The majority of the teachers from CSM stayed at the school. The children, under the age of 3, move to a new classroom every 6 months. So as the children develop, they continue to move with kids at their level. The center opens up early at 6:30 and is warm and welcoming. The center also allows for flexible scheduling, so your schedule can change every week. The teachers really care about the kids and work individually with each child and family to meet their specific needs. We have checked out other centers in the area and will continue to keep our child in the Nurturing Nook - Fox Point.
Mary March 7, 2012 at 12:26 am
My daughter attended The Nurturing Nook many years ago...she just graduated from college! The Nook always had friendly staff, great programming and responsive owners. I hear they are NAEYC accredited and 5 star rating from Youngstar.
Laurie Haig March 7, 2012 at 04:03 pm
The Schlitz Audubon Nature Center has a nature-based preschool. It appears that the article and comments are now leaning towards both day cares and preschools.
Shannon Dardis March 7, 2012 at 05:08 pm
Both of my children have attended Milestones Programs for Children at the Early Childhood Program at the Plymouth Location and then the School Age Program at Atwater Elementary. We love Milestones so much that we have enrolled our Children for the past 6 1/2 years and will continue into the future! The staff at Milestones is stellar! They are nurturing, highly educated in working with children at various developmental stages, consistent, and highly professional. My children have learned the traits of kindness, respect, honesty, cooperation, and to perseverance through the Milestones programs. Thank you Milestones!
Jill Patty March 7, 2012 at 06:49 pm
Both of my daughters attended The Nurturing Nook from the age of 12 weeks until they started k4. We loved our time at The Nook. All of the teachers and staff are very caring, knowledgeable professionals. My daughters were also very prepared academically to start K4. I feel The Nook gave them a great foundation to start their school careers.
Bob Erickson March 7, 2012 at 07:30 pm
We've had our son at Milestones (Indian Hill Location) for 3 years. The teachers are dedicated, nurturing, and professional. The rooms are warm and inviting and have everything a kid needs. One of the more important things to us is low teacher turnover, and based on our experience with other daycares, Milestones is the best at retaining their quality staff.
Bradley Blaeser March 7, 2012 at 09:31 pm
I have had a very good experience at Milestones at Lydell. (I worked for 10 years around and with early childhood in the past.) Good space inside and out, dedicated, caring teachers and administrators. I had some hot headed new parent concerns when I first brought my son there, and they handled (me and) my issues professionally. (Thank you.) Believe me they could have been adversarial based on the way I brought my concerns to their attention, but they did what was best for the whole 'family'. 2 years later and we are stil there, and Benjamin loves it. Keep up the good work.
I love Scott Walker! Adios, Shorewood :) March 7, 2012 at 09:53 pm
Milestones offers a 4-K program where the age cut off is December 1st, not September 1st like many other schools. This is fantastic for children with birthdays in Sept, Oct, or Nov who are ready for preschool, but aren't quite 4 years old yet when the school year begins!
Allison March 8, 2012 at 02:02 am
The after school programs Milestones provides our children is amazing and an invaluable resource for our community. They have developed a great partnership with our schools and communities to provide a loving and educational place for kids to go after school.
Anonymous March 8, 2012 at 12:11 pm
This past February, the Wisconsin Child Care Administrators Association awarded Michael Conway, founder and former Executive Director of Milestones Programs for Children, with the WCCAA Recognition Award for his "many outstanding contributions toward promoting quality and excellence in the field of child care and education." Established in 1979, Milestones has a long history of community involvement and a commitment to quality programs for young children.
any. March 8, 2012 at 02:49 pm
When we were looking for childcare for our son I visited all of the options in the Shorewood, Whitefish Bay and Eastside area. I had been a daycare provider in the past so I knew what to look for as to what makes a great daycare and what to be wary of. Both Milestones (we go to Lydell) and St. Francis are incredible programs. The student/teacher ratios are Milestones are above the state requirements which is FANTASTIC. We love Milestones and so does our son. St. Francis, while also an excellent program, has a late start time which just didn't work for our family schedule. I would recommend either one of these programs based on my prior work experience and experience as a mom.
Anonymous March 8, 2012 at 03:58 pm
We have sent our kids to Milestones (both Lydell and Plymouth locations) for 4 1/2 years running and are consistently thrilled with the care our kids receive and the environment in which they receive it. The teachers and the directors are fantastic. The creativity they bring to teaching, coupled with their dedication to stimulating and encouraging the creativity of their students, is splendid. And the program shares its name with a stellar Miles Davis album.
MariaAnna Gonzalez March 8, 2012 at 04:24 pm
I agree with Stacy that Gan Ami is simply the best! As an eductor myself, and having had two daughters go through Gan Ami WFB, no other program has compared to this program from what I have seen for myself or heard from other parents. The teachers are extremely dedicated, know what is in the best interest of each child, listen to them and provide a fun, happy and nurturing environment for learning. The director, Rachel Greenspan is an amazing administrator and her leadership is shown through her amazing staff.
Sandra Regan March 8, 2012 at 06:42 pm
We currently have two children in the Milestones Program at the Plymouth location. I cannot say enough about the dedicated teachers and the excellent director, Kathy Wierek. Kathy, to me, illustrates the best in child development and care - always looking for ways to improve and holding on to what works well. She knows all the families so well it amazes me. The staff incorporate a philosophy of play and creativity being the best way for children to grow and learn. They are kind, gentle, nurturing, yet also firm. We also have taken advantage of the later cut-off deadline for K-4 - we are so pleased with the program, our daughter is repeating the program another year! We would definitely recommend Milestones to anyone in the community.
Mia March 8, 2012 at 08:30 pm
Hi, my name is Mia. I am 17. I went to the Nurturing Nook when I was little. I loved going there. I even go back now on a volunteer basis. I remember when I first came back the teachers were so excited to see me, they couldn't believe how much I had grown, especially Ms Therese, Ms Amy and Ms. Renee. It is the best place in the world.
Chris Kay March 9, 2012 at 01:43 am
Milestones offers a truly child-centered experience for children and a tremendous educational support system for parents. Their committed, professional staff put children first in the impressive philosophy they put into practice daily. I give them my very highest recommendation.
Laura March 9, 2012 at 02:44 am
The Nurturing Nook is a wonderful Day Care Center and has grown so much over the years. I worked there while in college (about 20 years ago!) and it is so rewarding to know that the children we cared for are heading off to college themselves. Really the name says it all...
Silke Cole March 9, 2012 at 03:14 am
We are extremely happy with Milestones! It's a great program with wonderful teachers who really care about the kids. Also, the staff-to-child ratio is better than state mandated and better than any other program we looked at. This allows the teachers to work with smaller groups and give each kid the personal attention they need.
Lorie March 9, 2012 at 04:34 am
Milestones sets high standards for early childhood education and receives high marks for providing a safe, nurturing and stimulating learning environment for Families along the North Shore.
Jackie Larus Conway March 9, 2012 at 11:32 am
In a time when most of what we hear in the media about child care is negative, it's been rewarding to follow the poll and read so many great comments from families and teachers. Thanks go to Patch for giving us this opportunity. I've worked with Milestones for 33 years and feel honored to have shared this time with so many dedicated, caring, and skilled professionals. My sincere thanks to all of you and to the parents and children who have made Milestones the outstanding child care and education program that it is.
therese March 9, 2012 at 01:25 pm
This has been an interesting poll. The North Shore is extremely lucky to have so many options for child care. Each of the Centers in this list is unique in it's own way. As parents are looking for care for their children they have choices and the choice they make has to be the best fit for their family at the time in their life when they are looking for care. Life changes and needs change and families can make decisions based on those needs. We all strive to do what is best for the children in our care. We learn the best practices and what is the newest trends in the field so we are doing what is best for children. We all have very dedicated staff who come to work every day because of their love for children and wanting them to be in the best environment possible for them, learning new things, developmental milestones, how to be social and preparing them for kindergarten and the future!
Erik March 12, 2012 at 07:56 pm
The Nurturing Nook is AMAZING! We love it and so does our little 1 year old. :-)
And I think it's great too that there are several very well liked day care providers in our area. Very cool...but, as I say, we're partial to the Nook! GO NOOK GO! ;-)
Bea March 13, 2012 at 12:16 pm
The Nurturing Nook Rocks! I am from out of town, and they went above and beyond to answer my questions about the day care, have super flexible scheduling, and even referred me to some good grocery stores in the area! The staff is very attentive, friendly, and patient with the children, it's also very multicultural (Teachers and Children)
(Which is important to me because, I'm from Chicago and it's not too common up here in Wisconsin past Milwaukee, and because we are a very mixed family, Mexican, Puerto Rican, Native American and Black). The facilities are very clean. There is also a great amount of communication from teacher to parent, and from teacher to teacher. I can't say enough good things about this place, my four year old loves it.

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Steve ® June 10, 2013 at 03:55 pm
So? What was used and what harm does it cause? Although ironic this may provide more good thanRead More harm. What is written on the application sign?
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Wow, PaulRevere, AKA the hardest working person in America, who only takes 1 day per month off andRead More who believes all evil is related to public schooling, has time to not only comment on St. Louis area Patch sites, but on Milwaukee area sites as well? Paul, perhaps you should go back to school to check your grammar--other avenues to educate the public ARE on the way, not IS on the way. Oh, you must be too busy working 20 hours a day (but finding tons of time to comment on several Patch sites) to check grammar
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