Why Teachers Love to Teach at York Day Nursery

York, PA - January 27, 2022 – When our teachers describe why they love teaching at York Day Nursery, “family” is the most common word we hear.

"I love being part of the YDN family because we always put the children first and our staff is always supportive of one another,” said YDN teacher, Evelyn Castro.

The dedication and joy our early childhood education teachers, like Evelyn, bring to the classroom each day is what makes York Day Nursery such a special place, especially for our young learners. By doing so, our teachers are not only making a difference in the lives of students today, but they’re laying the educational and social foundation our children need to enjoy a bright future.

Early Childhood Education Teachers are Essential

A child’s brain develops more before age five than it does in the same timeframe at any other point in life.

"Infants are constantly learning,” explains YDN teacher Lori Gillespie. “You can see it in their facial expressions. I love helping babies begin to build their communication skills and watch them grow. Every moment is a teaching moment. Some of the best learning experiences happen when you least expect them to during our daily routine.”

Children enrolled in early childhood education programs are more prepared academically for later grades, more likely to graduate from high school, and excel in the workforce. But none of that is possible without great early childhood education teachers – like the educators at YDN.

“Our children are our number one priority at York Day Nursery,” Lori said. “Everyone is here to give our little ones the best possible care for a bright future."

What Makes Teaching at York Day Nursery Different?

York Day Nursery is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children and holds a 4 Star status, the highest performance level available under the PA Keystone STARS Child Care Quality Initiative.

In addition to our commitment to excellence, our biggest focus is on the wellbeing of our children, staff, and the York families we serve.

“My son was a YDN student starting at three months old and just graduated from our Pre-K Counts program,” Evelyn continued. “I feel confident recommending YDN to other parents and teachers because I have a parent's perspective!"

For nearly 100 years, York Day Nursery has provided a child care option for working families. Their work today reflects the original vision of YDN founder Ms. Netta Ford: to create great beginnings and bright futures for the children of York County.

Benefits for Early Childhood Education Teachers at York Day Nursery

Over the years, our teachers have made an incredible impact on the lives of children and families in York County. And we recognize that teachers deserve to be compensated for their hard work and the value they bring to the community.

YDN offers competitive pay starting at $15/hour. We provide career advancement opportunities and education assistance so our teachers can continue learning and enriching their skills.

We also believe that learning happens best in classrooms with low child-to-teacher ratios which is why we hold a ratio lower than the state requirement – something our teachers love. Our teachers also receive several paid holidays, fully covered health insurance, and a 50% tuition discount for their own children.

"When I started here as a teacher, York Day paid for my CDA credential,” recalls YDN teacher Tiara Cartagena. “I didn't have to worry about the cost. Teachers also receive discounted tuition, so when my children were born, they came to work with me. I didn't have to worry about child care. And when I was earning my associate degree, they shifted my schedule so I could take time for class without losing pay.”

We’re currently looking to grow the York Day Nursery family. We’re currently hiring dedicated early childhood education teachers at both of our YDN locations in York County. Visit the YDN Employment Page to learn more and apply.