History
Nanny's Nursery School’s first location opened in a church building on July 9, 1979. We were only licensed for thirty children at that time, but our waiting list soon grew. In December of 1980 my daughter Nicole was born. After becoming a mother myself, I understood how important and difficult it can be to find excellent childcare.
In 1980, I did not have an infant program so I was faced with a childcare decision of my own. I was fortunate to have met Gayle Malenfant; I knew immediately that I could trust her with my daughter. When Nicole was old enough she came to Nanny’s and Gayle joined the staff and later became the Director. She has an Associate's Degree in Early Childhood and Administration. Gayle has been working at Nanny's in Taylor for over 27 years and she has been a huge asset to our childcare center.
Our program was in demand because of our high standards for quality childcare. Our enrollment continued to grow. We operated with a waiting list for many years. In the summer of 1985, we broke ground for a new facility with a license capacity of ninety children. On December 11, 1985, Nanny's Nursery School on Pardee opened for business.
As our center continued to grow, we had numerous requests for infant and toddler care. In the fall of 1990, I came upon an opportunity to lease a building with a setting perfect for infants and toddlers in the Downriver Community Conference Center in Southgate. In January of 1991, Nanny's II opened with a license capacity of sixty children and has grown to a capacity of 122 children. My daughter Nicole, now a mother herself, brings her twin boys Colin and Luke with her to Nanny's. Nicole, who has studied the Fine Arts as well as Child Development, is now our office manager. Chris Baksa, who has been with Nanny's Nursery School since 1992, is now the Director at Nanny's II. Both Nicole and Chris have Child Development Associate Degrees.
I am very proud of our staff at Nanny's Nursery School, and I hope to give the children at our program the magical childhood they deserve by having loving people care for them.
Sheryl A. Westerdale
Executive Director and Founder