Dear Editor:
The Morrison, IL, community has been patiently watching the facility construction on an adjoining lot to the Climco Coils, Inc. property, within the Morrison Area Development Corporation subdivision, on south IL Route 78. Finally, on Monday, March 1, 2021, the doors opened and a new and creatively-designed preschool/daycare welcomed its first group of youngsters. Jennifer Magnafici, Owner and Operator of The Early Years Academy, was eager to introduce her staff of dedicated and enthusiastic care-givers to the new enrollees and parents.
The staff owns a combined experience of over 75 years and many of those years combining efforts with Magnafici in a Dixon, IL, childcare facility. Last year, the atmosphere of cooperation and dedication to caring for the young had flowed throughout the facility, as conversations and achievements toward welcoming Morrison youth were being developed.
The academy is referred to as a “one-stop shop,” due to the daily offering of both preschool and daycare curricula.
“Parents can be confident that their child will be ready for Kindergarten without any issues,” was a promise proudly made by Magnafici. The Creative Curriculum will be administered with individual assessments made for all age groups. A constant focus will be on having the child K-ready and eager to transfer into the Morrison School District.
A challenge that faces the staff at The Early Years Academy is one of trust, due to unfamiliarity of personalities that parents will turn their children over to each day. Jennifer’s personal history consists of over 16 years of childcare experience. She owns all the qualifications for Daycare Administration, required by the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS.) Administrators are required to complete 20 hours of Continuing Education annually in the field, with 15 of those hours fulfilling a DCFS mandate. The DCFS owns a reputation for stringent guidelines, and The Early Years Academy was proud to be awarded full compliance on its first inspection.
“This is a standard of quality that the staff and ownership will eagerly attempt to maintain,” promised Magnafici.
Some unique offerings by the Early Years Academic include: full-time enrollments only; meals preparation within the facility; second-shift enrollments. Recognizing that parents often fail to have time to spend on themselves and family planning without children management, adults will appreciate the option for Saturday Only daycare that will be available.
Additionally, they will offer a Mommy-Daddy Date Night, child care service. The first event is Saturday, March 19, from 6:00 to 11:00 p.m. Parents can spend time together with the satisfaction of knowing that their children are enjoying a good dinner and movie, in a secure facility with professional sitters at the academy. Creativity toward building stronger family ties seems to be a strong suit surrounding the staff of The Early Years Academy.
The COVID-19 pandemic had caused challenges relating to the Academy’s opening, and a winter opening was not planned. These factors have left many enrollment opportunities still available. Questions and additional information can be gathered from www.earlyyearsacademy.org or on Facebook at The Early Years Academy. Send an email to theearlyyearsacademy@gmail.com.
March 1 began a new, exciting opportunity for Morrison families to enhance their child’s early learning, while improving home life options, in an ever-changing world. MADC is proud to have fostered this new business enterprise.
The Early Years Academy is located at 508 French Creek Road, Morrison. Contact Director Jennifer Magnafici or Assistant Director Nikki Rice at 815-772-2017.
Jerry Lindsey, President Morrison Area Development Corporation