Young World was started in 1980 by Bob and Gloria Chunyk in 3 rented rooms in the Old Congregational Church on Main st, Easthampton. The Chunyks’ eventually purchased the building keeping the daycare in 3 rooms and renting the sanctuary to a church group.
In 1988, my sister was working at Young World as their bookkeeper when the Chunyk’s told her they wanted to sell the business and were looking for a buyer; I was approached. After much consideration, I took ownership in January of 1989. At that time, we enrolled only 3-6 yr, old preschool-age children.
My degree was in Early Childhood Education, and I have studied Piaget, Montessori, and Mr. Rogers. I knew that children learned best through play and hands-on experiences. I started changing the program from basic daycare to Early Education and Care by implementing developmentally appropriate activities designed to teach, build self-esteem, and help children succeed in a classroom setting to help promote a solid foundation for the years of learning yet to come.
In 1994, the church renting the sanctuary of the building left, and Young World expanded to 5 classrooms. That was also the year we obtained a school-age license due to the encouragement of current families who were not ready to break ties with Young World yet.
Over the years, Easthampton and surrounding communities have changed, but the needs of the children remain the same. They thrive when they are the focus of the adults in their lives. When children are given the opportunity to learn through play in a nurturing, supportive environment, they can be successful. When you look around Young World, you see classrooms designed for children with curriculum and routines to help them succeed.
The Story of Young World would not be complete if I did not mention “Family,” My Father, who helped me financially to purchase Young World. My Mother, who was the Pre-k teacher. My sister, who was my accountant and business advisor. My sister-in-law, who was my bookkeeper. My Husband, brother, and nephews who cleaned, painted, and did maintenance and repairs. My stepdaughter, Laurie, is currently one of the three-year-old teachers. My Granddaughters, Brook and Kate who, have been volunteering in the classrooms and helping with back-to-school cleaning. Of course, my daughter Jessica, who grew up with Young World, never doubted that she would be a Preschool teacher like her Grandmother and Mother and one day take over as the director of Young World. Young World also has an extended family made up of all the wonderful educators that helped to make Young World what it is today and the many families who enrolled their children at Young World, many of who were enrolled at Young World when they were children.
Young World Philosophy
Toys are the tools and play is the process through which our children learn about the world around them. At Young World, we believe that children develop into strong, independent individuals when given the proper opportunities to stimulate their growth socially, emotionally, physically, and intellectually. Our programs offer nurturing, professional care for your child, and are designed to help him or her develop a strong sense of self worth. We provide your child with a warm, secure environment, filled with love, good physical care, and an atmosphere conducive to learning. Your child will be provided with the chance to grow socially, emotionally, physically, and intellectually, through a variety of learning centers and child oriented tasks and skills. Children are encouraged to develop their self-esteem in an atmosphere of warmth and love, guided by nurturing, caring, professionals.
Young World Curriculum
During your child’s time at Young World they will have the opportunity to learn through a variety of learning centers and hand on experiences. The curriculum is designed and geared towards emotional and social interaction of the children. The emphasis of our daily activities, as well as our overall objectives, is on learning, rather than teaching. Our certified teachers combine a variety of activities to assure the meeting of the curriculum goals.
Careful planning and preparation is done to accomplish these goals. Our curriculum is developmental with age appropriate activities planned around central themes. Activities and objectives are posted weekly on family boards and emailed weekly.
