BDLC History
50 Years of Early Childhood Education
BDLC moved to its new (current) location.
At the time, the south side of Bloomington was considered a "pocket of poverty" and the city was providing tax incentives for building in the area. Cook Financial Corporation built the BDLC's new building, as well as the Bloomington Montessori School and the YMCA.
BDLC faced over $125,000 in debt due to unpaid rent, overdue health insurance premiums, and tax issues.
Congressman Frank McCloskey's office helped research and negotiate the tax issues. Board members negotiated repayment schedules with creditors and a new director and financial oversight was established.
On March 20, 1995, BDLC was burglarized. That year, the Dolphin Room also adopted a dolphin through the World Wildlife Federation.
BDLC's Classrooms were: Walkie Talkies, Care Bears, Fish, Whales, Dolphins, and Cubs.
BDLC's 2005 mission:
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A not-for-profit child-care provider, BDLC fosters the emotional, social, and educational development of children ages 6 weeks to 6 years. At BDLC, children, families, staff, and teachers work together in a diverse, caring, and community-oriented environment to develop the unique potential of every child
1973
Founding of BDLC
BDLC opened on August 22, 1973, housed in a white farmhouse at 2120 N. Fee Lane. Created by the Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, BDLC's staff consisted of one director, one regular teacher, four assistant teachers, one secretary, and a janitor. The initial open-education model adopted by BDLC incorporated Montessori and Bank Street College of Education developmental interactionist methods.
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Tuition
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Full Day Care (7:30-6): $22/week
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Morning Nursery School (3 days/week for 2 ½ hours each): $6/week
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Enrollment:
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34 children​
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1975
1981
Separation from UUCB
By 1975, tensions were rising between the daycare and Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, since BDLC was operating as a large part of the church's budget. In June 1975, the BDLC incorporated separately from UUCB and established its own board.​​​​​
BDLC's new kitchen was completed. The first parent newsletter was also sent this year.
1983
BDLC joined the food bank and Bloomingfoods co-op. The daycare also started searching for a new location in order to expand enrollment.
Relocation
1986
1987
Financial Issues
1990
The Whale Room raised funds to purchase a tree for BDLC. Congressman Lee Hamilton toured BDLC as part of a fundraiser for a deck, which was completed later that year.
1991
BDLC got a new sign and enrollment reached 110 children.
1989
BDLC expanded its playground and released a "Little Hoosiers Cookbook."
1992
In 1992, the BDLC needed to purchase the building from Cook Financial according to an article in the Herald Times. A suite of people helped rally to make it happen, including the City Counsel, the City Development Office, and Bloomington's Mayor at the time, Tomi Allison.
Scramble to Purchase Building
1995
1996
Burglary
2005
2017
BDLC faced financial troubles once again, due to unforeseen circumstances. The current classroom names were established.
1993
"Hands On Cooking" family cookbook was released.