Draw Our Logo Contest

Throughout the month of July, we invited the Nestling House community to unleash their creativity and participate in our Draw Our Logo contest. And the results were simply amazing!

The most voted for submission came from the talented:

Schwartz Family

They took the time to create a stunning watercolor masterpiece that radiates joy and vibrancy!

Their winning design will now shine as our new Facebook profile picture for the rest of the summer and will be featured here, on our website's blog. Don’t forget to check out our Facebook;)

A huge thank you to all our families who participated and showed us the power of imagination and creativity that exists within our community!

Summer Migration and Summer Camp

This past week, Nesting House embraced our yearly Summer Migration and our shift to Summer Camp and they have been a major success!

Our Summer Migration involves our kids from Howell that are gearing up to go to school in the fall transitioning to our Herman Location. It has been a week filled with fun, getting to know the kids and families, and getting comfortable at Herman! Our main teachers, Ms. Kaycee, Ms. Olivia, Ms. Nick, and Ms. Grace have tons of exciting plans coming up for this new group and we are so excited to share those with you!

Our Summer Camp Program features our amazing staff Ms. Hannah, Ms. Liz, Ms. Sabrina, Ms. Addie, and Mr. Adal. Summer Camp at NH means a new and exciting adventure each day! Last week, the crew visited Grant Park, the Urban Ecology Center, Firefly Grove Park, and the Lannon Quarry. But this is only the beginning, our staff has a lot of fun places to visit for the rest of this summers program. Look out for those pictures here!

As we near the end of June, Nestling House staff prepare for our Summer Break. All locations will be closed from Monday, June 29th to Friday, July 3rd. We will be excited to see all of our friends and families when we return on Monday, July 6th. We hope you all have a great rest of June!!!

Summer is Right Around the Corner

With summer almost here, we’re so excited to get outside and enjoy the sunny weather! Herman and Howell have some fun plans for each classroom, and we can’t wait to share the season with our students.

Another note, Herman’s Summer Camp Program, designed for students ages 6 and up, is packed with adventure, creativity, and friendship. From hands-on activities and outdoor exploration to making new friends, our Summer Camp Director, Hannah and Summer Camp Assistant Director, Miss Liz (also our Lead Blackbird Teacher) have a summer planned with tons of opportunities for children to learn, grow, and have a blast together.

We can’t wait to make this summer full of laughter, learning, and unforgettable memories! Whether exploring outdoors, trying new activities, or spending time with friends, Herman and Howell students are in for a season of fun, growth, and excitement. Have an amazing rest of the school year!

Classroom Feature- Mr. John

Meet Mr. John

Mr. John is the heart of our kitchen at Nestling House, bringing creativity, care, and a love of good food to every meal. Mr. John worked as an MPS Chemistry Teacher, College for Kids instructor and now the chef at Nestling House since 2022. He loves preparing nutritious, flavorful meals that support children’s growth, health, and energy throughout the day.

Cooking With Care

Mr. John believes that mealtime is more than just food. He thoughtfully plans menus that are both balanced and exciting, often introducing new flavors and textures that encourage children to explore and try new foods.

A Warm Presence

Known for his friendly smile and welcoming energy, Mr. John creates a positive, joyful atmosphere at mealtimes. His warmth and dedication make every child feel seen, cared for, and excited to eat.

At Nestling House, Mr. John isn’t just our chef, he’s an integral part of our community. Although one of his main roles is prepping and creating our meals for the day, his overarching role is helping children develop healthy habits, curiosity, and a love of good food that lasts a lifetime.

Encouraging Autonomy in Early Childhood

Encouraging Autonomy in Early Childhood

One of the most powerful gifts we can give children is the ability to do things for themselves. Encouraging autonomy helps children develop confidence, independence, and problem-solving skills, all while fostering a sense of responsibility and pride in their accomplishments.

What Autonomy Looks Like
Autonomy in early childhood can take many forms:

• Children choosing which activities to explore or materials to use

• Helping with daily routines, like setting the table, tidying up, or preparing snacks

• Making decisions about how to approach a task or solve a problem

• Expressing needs, feelings, and preferences in respectful ways

Supporting Independence
Parents, Caregivers, and Teachers can encourage autonomy by providing:

• Opportunities for choice: Offer simple options so children can practice decision-making

• Safe spaces to try things: Let children take age-appropriate risks and learn from mistakes

• Guidance without taking over: Step in to support when needed, but allow children to lead whenever possible

• Encouragement and praise: Recognize effort, problem-solving, and perseverance rather than just outcomes

The Benefits
When children are supported in being autonomous, they develop a stronger sense of self, learn to trust their abilities, and gain the confidence to tackle new challenges. These skills lay the foundation for lifelong learning, resilience, and a positive approach to relationships and problem-solving.

By intentionally creating environments that promote independence, we help children grow into capable, confident, and curious individuals that are ready to explore the world on their own terms.