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Hi, My name is Tinora Powell. I own and operate Tulip Tree Montessori (formally Oxford Street Montessori), a childcare home specifically designed for toddlers in Indianapolis, Indiana. Tulip Tree opened in 2019 when I transformed the front room of my home into a playspace for children ages 16 months to four years old. After four amazing years, I am transitioning to a larger space, which will allow me to serve three times as many children. Tulip Tree is moving into a cozy 1950s home located in the Devonshire neighborhood, right across the street from Fall Creek. With the move and expansion comes a need to furnish a larger space to preserve the high quality of care Tulip Tree has become well known for.
Tulip Tree Montessori provides a unique approach to caring for young children that mimics life at home. What sets Tulip Tree apart from all other educational programs around town is my dedication to providing high-quality, nutrient-dense food. Tulip Tree only serves organic, gluten-free, whole foods that are often grown in an on-site garden. Children often assist in preparing daily snacks. Can you imagine a 2 year old making their own protein-rich hummus, hydrating smoothie, or homemade personal pizza? Thanks to the right tools, guidance, and environment, this is a daily occurrence at Tulip Tree.
With a gift today, you can directly support the expansion of Tulip Tree Montessori and ensure we have everything necessary to best serve the children of Indianapolis. Your gift will go towards:
- A unique dining experience - I have spent the past 10 years developing a child-oriented mealtime routine to foster both community and independence. During each meal, children will eat at a custom-made farmhouse table, designed just for them using locally sourced wood. A seamstress is making beautiful tablecloths with place settings stitched right into the design. Using the tablecloth as a template, children will set their spots each afternoon with real ceramic plates and bowls, real silverware, soft organic cloth napkins, and an open-mouthed glass of drinking water.
- A commercial dishwasher - Perhaps the most expensive and vital piece of machinery for the school is a commercial dishwasher. This will ensure teachers can spend less time cleaning up at the end of the day. Instead, they can use their valuable time and energy to create handmade learning materials, develop a unique curriculum, and clean the learning space each afternoon to prepare for the next day of school.
- Classroom furniture - Tripling the number of students we serve means we need triple the amount of classroom furniture. Tables, chairs and shelves specifically designed for young children are an important part of our learning space.
- Lumber to customize the new building - We are so excited about our new building, but it still needs adjustments to be the perfect childcare home. We need lumber to build storage shelves for housing materials not currently in use in the classroom. The lumber will also become a toddler treehouse and a mud kitchen for the outdoor play area. We are thankful to have generous, talented members of the Tulip Tree community who will design and build these custom pieces.
- Classroom materials and curriculum development - Curated classroom materials and curriculum development ensure the children enrolled at Tulip Tree receive a well-rounded educational experience. This includes both premade Montessori materials and supplies for teachers to create handmade materials to enhance the unique curriculum offered at Tulip Tree Montessori.
Since our start in 2019, Tulip Tree Montessori has become a coveted childcare option in the Indianapolis area. We are excited to grow and triple the number of students who will spend their days in a thoughtfully designed, loving, Montessori environment. Can we count on your support to give the children of Tulip Tree an outstanding early childhood experience? Give now by clicking the "Donate now" button. Thank you for joining us as we embark on this new chapter!