The mission of the Day Nursery of Abilene is to provide affordable quality child care for a diverse community. The agency was founded in 1972 to address the child care needs of low-income working mothers and the first child care center opened one year later for twenty-five children. Since then the agency has expanded numerous times in response to the community's need for child care. Today the Day Nursery of Abilene provides child care for nearly 600 children, ages birth through age 10 years, each month in four agency owned and state licensed facilities. As a result 400 families attend work, attend school or job training while their children are cared for in the Day Nursery centers. Programs offered include infant and toddler care as well as pre-k and school readiness opportunities for preschool age children. In addition a before and after school age program is provided for parents who require these services for their children. Although the majority of children attending the centers are from low-income households, all children are welcome to attend.