A Dynamic History

  • SINCE 1921

    Orlando Day Nursery has served children and families for over one hundred years!
    Founded by World War I widows, the priority for the Nursery during its 100-year existence has been to support working families by providing high-quality, nurturing care and learning experiences for their children.

  • IN THE EARLY 1920’s

    A founding member of Orlando Day was a member of the newly formed Kiwanis Club of Orlando. He shared with the club about these women’s efforts and they were moved to fully support the fledgling organization. A house was donated to the Kiwanis Club of Orlando which became the first Orlando Day Nursery building.

  • IN 1960

    Orlando Day moved to a new building on Anderson Street. This building had a large kitchen, spacious outdoor play area, and room to serve many more children. The Kiwanis Club continued to support Orlando Day by holding an annual garage sale and local businesses pitched in. In 2005, due to the new I-4/408 connector, the Kiwanis Club built a new, state-of-the-art facility on Lake Dot Circle. A large, multi-sensory playground and organic garden area were installed in 2011 through the generous donations of KaBOOM!, Disney, the Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation, and the Chesley Magruder Foundation. In 2014, Snapple graciously provided shade screens for areas on the playground.

  • OUR SUPPORTERS

    Many local groups have supported Orlando Day Nursery throughout our history.
    The Junior League of Greater Orlando was started as the Junior Auxiliary of the Orlando Day Nursery in 1928. In 1940, Orlando Day received its first donation from Community Chest, now Heart of Florida United Way. The T.G. Lee Dairy supplied the milk for the children at the nursery through the kindness of Mr. Lee, and the T.G. Lee Foundation continues to support our mission.

  • 100 YEARS

    Started as an all-volunteer organization, a group of Orlando Day volunteers was honored as the “909th Point of Light” by President George H.W. Bush in 1992. Orlando Day Nursery has also received the “Keeping the Promise Award” from Colin Powell’s America’s Promise Alliance. In 2013, Orlando Day’s contributions to children and families were read into the record of the United States House of Representatives. In 2021, Orlando Day Nursery celebrated providing early childhood care and education for families in Central Florida for 100 years…and we’re still going strong!