Happy Time Day Care Center was founded by Delores Anderson in 1969.  Her passion if life has always been teaching.  Her journey in life led her down many paths.  During the late 1960's women began to enter the workforce.  Delores dreamed of providing high quality care that focused on education and safety.  she worked endlessly in quest for knowledge and understanding about child care.  With a $4000 loan and a grant from the Ordean Foundation, Happy Time opened its doors. As the demand for early care and education grew, so did Happy Time.  The center began as a preschool program for three to five year old children.  Now, the center serves infants, toddlers and preschool aged children.  In 1986 Delores hired her daughter Nancy to assist her in teaching.  although their paths were very different, they shared the same vision.  Together they worked dilgently to find resources of information and research to apply to their program.  They dreamed of having their own building to house Happy Time.  Delores and Nancy have both been awarded recognition from local, state and national levels for providing excellence in programing for early childhood education.  Happy time has been recipient of secondary and post secondary students as they work through the practicum classes.  In 1990, Nancy found a building suitable for child care while out on a walk with the children.  Her dad invested all of his retirement money into the purcase of this building.  In January of 1991, the remodeling began.  And in March they moved in.  Buying this building was a dream come true for Delores. The program expanded to its current capacity of 85 children.  Happy Time now serves 8 infants, 14 toddlers and 63 preschool aged children.  There is a certfied food manager on staff who prepares USDA approved meals.  The curriculum focusses on preparing children for Kindergarten and beyond. Happy Time is well known in the community.  Currently, Happy Time is serving children whose parents were children from the center.  Happy Time has stood the test of time and plans to continue for years to come.

Ever since Nancy was a young child, she dreamed of becoming a teacher.  She actually began teaching the neighborhood children gymnastics and dance.  When she was 12 she taught the children at Happy Time gymnastics and dance.  After she graduated from high school her college education began.  In 1980, Nancy graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in Physical Education. Upon graduation, Nancy coached gymnastics for a private club for 10 years.  As she coached she realized her connection with young children.  In November of 1985, Nancy called her mother to see if she could work as a teacher at Happy Time.  They began working togther in January 1986.  Nancy taught the 4 and 5 year old children for 10 years.  In September of 1995, Nancy was named director when her father suddenly took ill and her mother needed to care for him.  In 1998, Nancy went back to school to earn a Master's degree in Early Childhood Studies.  August of 2001, the degree became a reality. Working with young children is very rewarding and challenging.  Children come to us with many different experiences and values.  It is interesting to me to see how we can recognize and respect the individuality of each child  and help them grow and develop.  Helping children grow and develop, prepare them for future experiences and for them to feel valued is my  life's work.  Each and every day a new challenge is presented.  Knowing I make a difference in their life, keeps me motivated to do the best that I can for them. Wendy S.- I am the lead preschool teacher.  I began working here in 1983 as a volunteer for a high school class.  I continued to work here after high school and earned a Child Development Assoicates certification.  I furthered my education at WITC and earned an AA degree in early childhood education.  I primarily teach the 4 to 5 year old children.  I work in partnership with the director to ensure our program runs smoothly, consistently and of high quality.

Adam D-  I have worked with children my adult life.  I have experience working with older youth in a variety of settings.  Happy Time offers me a positive setting to work with young children.  I am a positive male role model for these children.  I learn every day and enjoy what I am doing.  Music is my passion.  I get to use me passion everyday while I work with the children.  We have already written songs together that we sing on a daily basis.  Did I mention I was a child who attended Happy Time.  Nancy, the director, was my teacher

Kathy W- I have worked with children in my own home as I operated a licensed home child care in my previous home.  I have four children myself.  I love working with children here at Happy Time.

Lisa W- I have worked with children in a variety of settings.  Happy Time is a friendly professional working environment.  If I had a child age eligible to enroll at Happy Time, I would send my child here.  The staff here are always looking for ways to do their best work with the children.  The children leave this program ready for school and beyond.  They are very well rounded.

Sara T- I love children.  I enjoy working with them.  I have a daughter of my own.  I was a child here at Happy Time.  It is a positive place.

Callista V- I am a student at UMD in the Early Childhood Department.  I began my work at Happy Time as a student doing a practicum experience.  I enjoyed the experience and became employed here working in the toddler program.  I plan to continue working part time while I continue my education in the fall. 

Jill W- I have had 17 years experience owning and operating an eating establishment.  When my business burned to the ground, I decided to leave the restaurant business.  After two years of going to school I found it time to go back to work.  This cooking experience gives me the opportunity to do what I know how to do, with hours that work well for my family.  I love kids and look forward to a long relationship working here.