RoseMary’s Place childcare open in Dayton

RoseMary’s Place is located in a wing on the Columbia County Health System campus. The address is 1012 S. 3rd, Dayton, WA 99328, and the hours are 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. 

The program opened in spring 2024 with space for 40 children: 8 infants, 13 toddlers, and 19 preschoolers. We can add several additional spaces in the future, depending on community needs.

Childcare is expensive to pay for and to provide.  There is help for working families in Washington called the Working Connections Child Care program, and roughly two-thirds of the families in our Walla Walla program participate. You May Qualify. Families qualify for childcare assistance based on family size and household income.  If your household income is at or below 60% of statewide median income, you may qualify for assistance where the state pays a large part and qualifying families pay anywhere from 0 to $165 per month.  Don’t hesitate to reach out to Tabitha.  She can quickly get you in contact with the Working Connections program for more information.

What does a typical day at RoseMary’s Place look like?
INFANTS

Infants receive individual, one-on-one attention. Their own sleeping and feeding schedules are maintained.
 
TODDLERS
Each day includes:
Breakfast                                        
Health check
Morning and afternoon snacks
Handwashing
Regular diaper checks                 
Lunch                                               
Nap

Other activities include free play, circle time, outdoor play (when conditions allow), and small groups, all at regular times with care to transition smoothly and predictably from one activity to the next.

PRESCHOOL
Each day includes:
Breakfast                                                     
Health check
Morning and afternoon snacks             
Handwashing
Regular diaper checks, if needed         
Lunch
Nap

Preschoolers will have opportunity for free play, circle time, outdoor play (when conditions allow), and small groups, in addition to read aloud time and a chance to reflect at the end of the day.

Are meals provided?

We provide breakfast, lunch, a morning snack, and an afternoon snack.  Meals follow USDA nutrition guidelines, and the hospital’s dietary department does the cooking. 

I’m a nursing mom.  Can I come nurse my child at the center?

Yes, we have a cozy space ready for you.

Who will be taking care of my child?  What are their qualifications? 

Lifelong Dayton resident Tabitha Elkins Haney is the YWCA childcare program director.  She is a Washington State University grad and worked as a certified substitute elementary school teacher till she went back to her first love, early learning.  Tabitha has worked with children ages 1 to 6 for 20 years and has been a childcare director for 10 years.  She will be at the Dayton center two to three hours per day. 

We have lead teachers for the Infant, Toddler, and Preschool rooms and lots of teachers’ aides to help.  All staff have a high school degree or equivalency.

Do you use a specific curriculum in the program?

Yes, we are excited to be using Creative Curriculum and its assessment module, Teaching Strategies Gold.  It is an incredible tool.  Our teachers can choose from a variety of subjects and develop a daily work plan, and the assessment module allows us to deliver specialized learning where kids may need a little help.

We know how important it is to find a good childcare fit for your child and your family, and we look forward to helping you get to know RoseMary’s Place!