A Model for Responsive Child Care: Toledo Day Nursery Launches New Scholarship Program

When families face sudden disruptions—like job loss, illness, or unexpected financial strain—child care can be one of the first things at risk. Without stable care, children lose critical early learning opportunities, and parents often struggle to stay employed.

In Lucas County, Toledo Day Nursery—the oldest child care center in Ohio and the fourth oldest in the nation—is meeting that challenge head-on. For more than 150 years, this historic center has adapted to the needs of families while setting a powerful example that other child care providers across the state can follow.

Thanks to funding from the Bainum Family Foundation through its We Vision EarlyEd Initiative, Toledo Day Nursery has launched a short-term scholarship program designed to help families experiencing crisis. Unlike traditional subsidies, these scholarships are flexible and low-barrier. Families don’t need to complete complex forms or go through an extensive application process. Instead, they receive immediate support to keep their children in care while navigating difficult times.

This innovative approach was recently highlighted in an article by The 74 Million.

Local Leadership at the Center

The scholarship program reflects the leadership of Toledo Day Nursery’s Co-Directors Julia Myers and Chelsea Davis, who worked with their team and community partners to design this lifeline for families.

Both Julia and Chelsea are members of the Groundwork Ohio Early Childhood Fellowship, a year-long program that equips emerging leaders from across Ohio with the tools and training to strengthen early childhood systems. Through the Fellowship, they are not only supporting families in their own community, but also helping to shape the statewide conversation on child care and early learning.

Stronger Together: HOPE Toledo and Community Partnerships

This effort also connects to the work of our partners at HOPE Toledo, an organization dedicated to ensuring every Toledo child has access to high-quality education from cradle to career. By working in partnership with child care providers, families, and community leaders, HOPE Toledo is helping to build the foundation for a stronger, more equitable system of care and education.

In April 2025, during an education summit hosted by HOPE Toledo, the Bainum Family Foundation announced it would invest in Toledo Day Nursery as part of its efforts to improve early learning opportunities across the country.

Toledo Day Nursery was selected as one of 22 educational sites nationwide to receive support from the foundation, underscoring the center's commitment to quality early childhood education and its role as a model for other providers. Together, Toledo Day Nursery, HOPE Toledo, and local leaders are showing what’s possible when community partnerships and philanthropy align to support families.

Why This Matters

The Toledo scholarship program is more than a stopgap—it’s a model of responsive, community-driven support that keeps families stable during times of crisis. By prioritizing dignity and flexibility, the program makes sure that children don’t lose their place in care and parents don’t have to sacrifice their jobs or education.

We’re grateful to our partners at Toledo Day Nursery and HOPE Toledo for their leadership, and to the Bainum Family Foundation for making this work possible. Their collaboration demonstrates how local innovation, backed by strong partnerships, can build a stronger, more equitable child care system.