Business Details
39 Years
experience
Trusted Early Childhood Education Centers in Ohio
Founded in 1987, we have dedicated over three decades to creating nurturing environments where children feel safe, loved, and inspired to learn. Our commitment to educational excellence is reflected in our national accreditation through NAEYC and 5-Star Rating via Ohio's Step Up to Quality. We believe in the transformative power of play-based learning, where children develop literacy, emotional intelligence, and creativity through hands-on experiences. Our team of highly qualified educators, all holding degrees in early childhood education, fosters classrooms filled with love, trust, and empathy. We partner with families as an extension of their 'School Family,' ensuring seamless communication through innovative tools like the Procare Family Engagement App.With centers strategically located at universities and community hubs, we serve children aged 6 weeks to 12 years, maintaining lower classroom ratios than state requirements to maximize individualized attention. Our unique offerings include outdoor classrooms like the Wright State greenhouse, where children engage in gardening and cooking projects. As a leader in childcare since 1987, we combine rigorous academic standards with a heartfelt approach, ensuring every child's early years build a foundation for lifelong success.
Services
Infant & Toddler Care
Preschool Programs
Pre-Kindergarten
School Age Camps
Outdoor Classroom Activities
Parent Engagement Tools
Details
- Year established: 1987
Highlights and features
- NAEYC-accredited programs with 5-Star quality ratings
- Lead teachers hold early childhood education degrees
- Classroom ratios 50% lower than state requirements
- Procare app for real-time parent-teacher communication
- Research-backed play-based curriculum fostering holistic development
Associations and certifications
- NAEYC
- Step Up to Quality 5-Star Rating
Services
Infant & Toddler Care
Our nurturing infant and toddler programs prioritize safety and emotional development through sensory-rich activities. Certified caregivers use gentle routines to build trust while introducing early language and motor skills. With ratios half the state maximum, children receive personalized attention to foster foundational growth.
Preschool Programs
Play-based preschool curriculum develops literacy, numeracy, and social skills through structured exploration. Teachers guide children aged 3-5 in collaborative projects that blend creativity with academic concepts, preparing them for kindergarten success through joyful, hands-on experiences.
Pre-Kindergarten
Our Pre-K programs align with state standards while emphasizing critical thinking through STEM activities and literacy circles. Small class sizes allow individualized learning plans that address each child's developmental needs, ensuring readiness for elementary school challenges.
School Age Camps
Seasonal camps for ages 5-12 combine academic reinforcement with recreational activities. Themed weeks promote STEM, arts, and physical development while flexible scheduling accommodates working families' needs during school breaks.
Outdoor Classroom Activities
Unique outdoor spaces like our greenhouse classrooms integrate gardening, ecology, and nutrition into daily learning. Children plant vegetables, conduct weather observations, and engage in environmental science projects that connect classroom concepts to real-world experiences.
People
Julie Thorner
President
With over 30 years leading Mini University, Julie established the first center at Wright State University in 1987. A Dayton native, she pioneered the 'School Family' concept after witnessing her own children's development through Mini U programs. Her leadership maintains rigorous educational standards while preserving the heartfelt care that defines our centers.
Questions
What accreditation standards does Mini University meet?
All centers hold NAEYC accreditation and Ohio's Step Up to Quality 5-Star Rating, exceeding state requirements for teacher qualifications and classroom quality.
How do you ensure child safety?
Our centers maintain locked facilities with ID checks, name-to-face attendance tracking, and secure Procare app communications for real-time updates on your child's activities.
What age groups do you serve?
We provide programs for children aged 6 weeks to 12 years, including infant/toddler care, preschool, pre-K, and school-age summer camps.
How do teachers communicate with parents?
The Procare Family Engagement App delivers daily photos, developmental updates, and emergency alerts while maintaining strict data privacy protections for secure communication.
What makes your curriculum unique?
Our play-based approach integrates outdoor classrooms and hands-on projects that develop academic skills through creative exploration, aligning with research on optimal early childhood learning methods.
Can I enroll my child mid-year?
Yes, we offer rolling enrollment and can typically accommodate new families immediately, with no waiting list requirements for most locations.
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