The Dahlberg Learning Center

A Place to Grow...Nurturing the Whole Child

Dahlberg Daisy : Dyssodia tenuiloba a low growing plant with delicate foliage and cheerful yellow, daisy like blossoms, that will grow and thrive in difficult situations

Dahlberg Learning Center has been serving preschool age children with developmental delays in Franklin County since 1975. The opportunity to purchase a former Columbus Public School building brought the program to its present location on five acres of land at 1915 E. Cooke Rd in 1987.

In response to a community need for daycare for special needs children, and with funding made available from Title XX and the Franklin County Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, ADD opened a day care center to provide full day, year round childcare for ages 6 weeks through 5 years of age. As the only program of its kind in the county, Dahlberg has grown to accommodate up to 56 children with developmental delays, and has slots for 24 typically developing peer role models.

During the school year, Dahlberg offers Speech, Physical and Occupational Therapy to all students who qualify, as well as Licensed Early Intervention Specialists, Early Childhood Educators and the services of a Social Worker. The Association for the Developmentally Disabled contracts with Overbrook Clinic to provide assessment, behavior support and family consultation. To meet the needs of our families who are working or continuing their own educations, Dahlberg provides full day childcare throughout the summer.

A typical day at Dahlberg begins at 8:15 a.m. as the children begin arriving via family transportation and vans contracted by our agency. A nutritious breakfast ensures a good start to the day. The morning preschool program, called "Primetime at Dahlberg" begins at 9:00 am. Community children serving as peer role models join us to help begin the day. The Early Intervention and Early Childhood teachers work together to create a "neighborhood" for each age group. Special emphasis is placed on meeting the Individualized Educational Plan of each child through developmentally appropriate activities. A play-based approach encourages self help and social skills so vital to meeting the long term goals of all children. Dramatic play, small and gross motor activities, art experiences, music, math and language arts readiness skills are woven into the curriculum. When Primetime ends at 11:15 a.m. daycare services are available until 3:00 p.m. Lunch, naptime, an afternoon activity and snack round out the day.

The infant room was opened at Dahlberg in 2001, as part of an initiative funded by the United Way of Franklin County. Creating a nurturing, homelike environment is a priority for our infant room staff. Communicating with the family about the daily growth of each little one is the responsibility of the care giver assigned to that child. Walks in the buggy, sensory experiences, lap time, naps, and exploratory play help provide healthy development for the babies and peace of mind for their families.

Daisy Day is the celebration marking the close of the school year and the graduation exercises of students transitioning to kindergarten. Pony rides, a clown, face painting, shaving cream play and a fishing pond help make this a special event. The most recent Daisy Day occurred on June 4, 2004 with a total of 20 children graduating from Dahlberg. Several pictures of the days' festivities are below.

Dahlberg Learning Center, like the daisy whose name it bears, is growing and thriving amid the challenges of providing quality care to exceptional children. The spontaneous smiles and hugs of the children, the exciting progress of individual students, the enthusiasm of staff as they stretch their knowledge and skills make Dahlberg an exciting and nurturing environment for all children.