The Nature Nook

09/21/2026

Now Hiring Substitute Day Care Provider
Part Time
Missouri Minimum Wage

Job details:
The Nature Nook Daycare is looking for a dependable, nurturing, and energetic substitute to join our in-home daycare!
What you'll do:
• Independently care for and supervise young children
• Follow our daily schedule & curriculum
• Lead educational, nature-based, sensory, and play activities
• Prepare & serve meals/snacks independently
• Change diapers (potentially up to 30/day) & assist with toileting
• Manage age-appropriate behavior using positive guidance
• Clean & sanitize throughout the day
• Complete daily logs through our childcare app (meals, diapers, attendance, incidents, etc.)
• Communicate important updates with the owner/parents

This is an active position where you may be the sole adult responsible for the children during your shift. We need someone who can multitask, take initiative, stay calm under pressure, and confidently manage the day without constant direction.

Preferred: Current Infant/Child CPR & First Aid certification
Not certified? You may still apply; certification can be provided if selected.

Previous childcare experience is preferred.

To apply, please email your resume to: [email protected] or text APPLY to 417-971-9696

09/21/2026

The Nature Nook Daycare - Temporary Enrollment Opening!

We’re opening 2 immediate enrollment spots for children 2 years and older who are looking for reliable, structured care Monday–Friday.

📍 Important Location Update:
We are still operating at our current East 76 location. Our transition to our new West 76 location off Dallas Road has been delayed, so we are continuing care at our current location while we work through this transition.

Because we know how difficult it can be to find dependable childcare in our area, especially with many local programs currently full, we wanted to open these spots to families who need care now rather than waiting for our move.

🌱 What to Expect

Our current program continues to provide a structured, nature-focused day with plenty of hands-on learning, outdoor exploration, cooking, circle time, and age-appropriate activities.

Current daily rhythm:
• 7:00–8:00 — Free Play
• 8:00–9:00 — Cooking & Circle Time
• 9:00 — Breakfast
• 9:45–11:00 — Outdoor Adventure
• 11:00–12:00 — Cooking & Activities
• 12:00–12:30 — Lunch
• 12:30–2:00 — Rest/Nap
• 2:00–3:00 — Snack & Circle Time
• 3:00–4:00 — Pickup & Free Play

We have our base curriculum in place, but our expanded curriculum structure and additional educational materials will be fully implemented once we transition to our new location. We are currently packing and storing some of those materials as we prepare for the move.

There are no additional curriculum fees or curriculum tracking requirements at this time.

🏡 About the Future Move

Families enrolling during this temporary period should be comfortable with eventually transitioning with us to our new location.

We are not currently able to provide a guaranteed move date, and families should not plan around the move occurring within the next six months. We will provide updates as the transition develops, but we don't want to promise a timeline that we cannot guarantee.

📱 Our New Family System

We have fully transitioned to the Playground app for enrollment, attendance, communication, and other important childcare information, making it easier for families and our program to stay organized and connected.

📅 Important Dates

Please keep our upcoming closure in mind when considering enrollment:

October 22 – November 2: Closed for teacher vacation.

⏰ Current Friday Hours

We are currently open 7:00 AM–12:00 PM on Fridays while we search for and train a substitute childcare provider.

We are also looking for someone interested in joining our team as a substitute provider. This is a structured, hands-on position working with our wonderful group of kiddos. The right person will have the opportunity to step into a well-organized program filled with learning, outdoor adventures, and meaningful activities.

Once a substitute provider is hired and trained, we anticipate returning to our regular Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM–4:00 PM schedule, with the possibility of offering additional scheduling flexibility as our staffing allows.

If you know someone who may be a good fit, please send them our way!

💚 A Little About Why We're Opening These Spots

The Nature Nook was created to be more than childcare. We want to provide children with a safe, structured, educational home away from home while supporting the families in our community.

We know that finding quality childcare can be incredibly difficult right now. If your family needs immediate care and our program sounds like a good fit, we would love to hear from you.

Interested in enrollment?
Please complete an application. https://app.tryplayground.com/listings/8PKoVTXSqsocFIjxcXwp Once received, we will review it and contact families regarding availability and next steps. Enrollment will be finalized after all required paperwork is completed.

And if you don't need childcare right now, sharing this post could make a huge difference for another family. You never know who in your circle may be searching for care.

🌿 Like, follow, and share The Nature Nook Daycare so we can continue connecting local families with the care they need.

Thank you for supporting our small childcare community! 💚

08/26/2026

🌿 A NEW CHAPTER FOR THE NATURE NOOK 🌿

We are officially making the move to our new daycare application and enrollment system! 🎉

👉 NEW DAYCARE APPLICATION:
https://app.tryplayground.com/listings/8PKoVTXSqsocFIjxcXwp

🚨 IMPORTANT FOR ALL CURRENT & FUTURE FAMILIES:
The old enrollment/application link will no longer be reviewed by The Nature Nook for enrollment. If you would like your application to be considered for acceptance or placement on the waitlist for your child’s age group, you MUST use the new application link above.

Even if you have already contacted me, toured, inquired about care, or are currently on a waitlist, please complete the new application. This simple step helps me keep everyone's information current and organized in one place. ❤️

🌱 SO MUCH MORE THAN ENROLLMENT

Through the Playground app, The Nature Nook families now have access to so much more than just enrollment!

Families will be able to access things such as:

🍼 Diapering & care tracking
🍎 Menus & meal information
🚽 Potty-training tracking
📚 Curriculum & developmental tracking
💳 Billing & payment information
📅 Schedules & attendance
📸 Updates and classroom information
📋 Enrollment & child information
…and SO much more!

This is another huge step toward the vision I have for The Nature Nook, and I genuinely could not have gotten here alone.

❤️ WHY THIS MEANS SO MUCH TO ME

The child-care industry is facing an incredible crisis across our country. I am seeing it everywhere, all the forums, articles, news, and more.

Childcare is hard.

Running a childcare business is hard.

Keeping a small program alive while providing quality care, education and safety to children is HARD.

And yet...

The Nature Nook is still here.

And I have YOU to thank for that.

To the families currently enrolled at The Nature Nook.

To the families who have been here before.

To the people in our community who have shared my posts, recommended us to friends, encouraged me, prayed for us, supported us, and simply continued to believe in what I'm building...

Thank you.

You have helped make it possible for this little dream to continue growing during a time when so many childcare programs are struggling to survive.

I am incredibly grateful.

And I have BIG dream for The Nature Nook. 🌱

I don't know exactly how every step will unfold, but I know I serve a mighty God, and I know I have an incredible community standing behind me.

As long as this blessing remains within God's will, I will pursue it to the absolute farthest extent I can.

This isn't just a daycare to me.

It's something I'm building with purpose, love, faith, and a whole lot of hard work.

📣 ONE LAST IMPORTANT THING

If you have inquired about childcare within the last THREE MONTHS, please complete the new application, even if you are already on our waitlist.

The application is simple, and it will help me make sure I have accurate information for every family as we continue moving forward.

👉 NEW APPLICATION:
https://app.tryplayground.com/listings/8PKoVTXSqsocFIjxcXwp

Thank you for your patience.
Thank you for your grace.
Thank you for your love.
Thank you for your support.
And most importantly...

Thank you for sticking around with me.❤️

We're just getting started.

— Mrs. Shae
The Nature Nook Daycare 🌿

08/23/2026

08/08/2026

There are some super cute cookie decorating kits at The Gathering Hutch pop-up outside of Shoe Sensation in Neosho today. This would be a wonderful activity for your kiddos and while you're there, grab a dirty soda to cool off. I had to get the Shark Attack because we all know, the gummy sharks can make a child's day. Thank you Gathering Hutch for making a hot Saturday fun for the kids AND the parents.

08/07/2026

NOW HIRING: Substitute Childcare Provider

At The Nature Nook Daycare, we provide care in a warm, welcoming in-home setting where children are treated like family. Our program emphasizes nature-based learning, outdoor exploration, hands-on activities, and creating a safe, nurturing environment where every child can thrive. We're looking for someone who shares those same values and is excited to become part of our close-knit team.

📍 Location: Anderson, MO
🏡 In-Home Daycare
🕒 Hours: 4–12 hours per week
🚼 Training begins immediately!

We're searching for someone who has a genuine passion for working with children and can confidently step into our daily routine. The ideal candidate should be:

🌱 Loving, patient, and nurturing
👶 Experienced with infant and toddler care
❤️ CPR & First Aid Certified (or willing to obtain certification immediately)
🍎 Comfortable preparing meals and snacks
🧹 Willing to help with light cleaning and maintaining a sanitary environment
🛡️ Knowledgeable about child safety and emergency procedures
🌳 Enthusiastic about outdoor play and nature-based learning
🎨 Creative, engaging, and able to lead age-appropriate activities
📚 Dependable, punctual, and professional
🤹 Excellent at multitasking in a fast-paced environment
💬 Strong communicator with children and parents

If you're looking for a rewarding opportunity to make a difference in the lives of children while working in a nature-focused, family-oriented environment, we'd love to hear from you!

📧 Send your resume to [email protected] or text 417-971-9696

Please share this post with anyone who may be a great fit!

07/23/2026

Moving Update!

As many of you know, we're in the middle of an exciting transition, and I couldn't be more thrilled for what's ahead!

To make sure every family gets the best possible first impression, I've decided to temporarily pause all daycare tours and enrollment until our new home is completely finished and ready to welcome children. Right now, boxes are everywhere, furniture is being moved, and our daily routine just isn't a true reflection of what The Nature Nook is all about.

I believe your first tour should allow you to experience the peaceful, organized, nature-inspired environment your child will actually enjoy every day, not a house in the middle of a move!

🌱 The future of The Nature Nook is bigger and better than ever. Here's a glimpse of what's coming:
🍃 Expanded outdoor learning spaces
🌼 Hands-on nature exploration
📚 Thoughtfully designed learning areas
🦋 Even more opportunities for child-led discovery, creativity, and adventure
❤️ The same warm, family-centered care you've come to expect, just in an even more incredible setting.

This short pause allows me to create a space that truly reflects my vision and gives every family the experience they deserve when they walk through the door.

I can't wait to share our progress and announce when tours and enrollment reopen! Thank you all for your patience, encouragement, and support as The Nature Nook continues to grow.

The best is yet to come. 🌿✨

Send a message to learn more

07/02/2026

🇺🇸 Honoring Those Who Serve, Supporting the Families Who Stand Beside Them 🇺🇸

At The Nature Nook Daycare, we recognize that military service is a family commitment. Behind every service member is a family making sacrifices, adapting to changing schedule

That's why I'm proud to introduce The Nature Nook Military Family Program!

💚 Military families now receive:

🎖️ A quarterly discount on our Personalized Pre-K Curriculum for military children ages 2–6.

📚 Individualized curriculum designed around your child's unique developmental needs, interests, and learning style.

⏰ Childcare during drill weekends (7:00 AM–4:00 PM) for dual-working military families, helping provide reliable care while you're fulfilling your commitment.

Whether you're active duty, National Guard, or Reserve, my goal is simple: to help make life a little easier for the families who give so much.

Thank you for your service, your sacrifice, and your dedication to our country. It would be an honor to care for your little one while you care for ours.

Send me a message via messenger or call/text me at 417-971-9696 📞 to learn more about our military family benefits or to schedule a tour!

Because serving those who serve our nation starts with caring for the people they love most.

07/02/2026

❗️ATTENTION FAMILIES ❗️
At The Nature Nook Daycare, I believe quality childcare begins with truly knowing each child as an individual. As our program continues to grow, I've updated our enrollment questionnaire to create an even more personalized and organized experience from the very beginning.

I'm so excited to introduce several new additions that help me better serve every child and family who joins our Nature Nook community!

What's New?

🌱 Personalized Curriculum Planning
For families enrolling children 2–6 years old, the child can now be assessed in their first two weeks for a personalized curriculum plan. This allows me to create individualized learning experiences that foster curiosity, confidence, and a lifelong love of learning.

🍼 Expanded Infant & Toddler Care Information (Birth–2 Years)
I've added more detailed questions about bottle feeding, feeding schedules, sleep routines, comfort techniques, and daily care preferences so our youngest little ones receive consistent, personalized care that feels like home.

❤️ Life-Saving Medication Section
Your child's safety is my highest priority. The enrollment packet now includes a dedicated section for children who require emergency medications such as inhalers, EpiPens, seizure medication, or other life-saving medications, ensuring we are fully prepared to meet their needs.

📅 Convenient Tour Scheduling
Families can now request a tour directly within the enrollment packet by selecting a preferred date and time for either an in-person visit or a phone call, making the enrollment process even easier.

🇺🇸 Supporting Our Military Families
One of my greatest passions is serving those who serve our communities and our country. I'm proud to now offer a quarterly military curriculum discount for eligible military families, making our personalized Pre-K curriculum even more accessible.

I also understand the unique demands of military life. For dual-working military families, The Nature Nook offers childcare during drill weekends (7:00 AM–4:00 PM), providing dependable care when you need it most.

To every military family, we see you, we appreciate your sacrifices, and we're honored to support you.

🤝 New Referral Rewards
I absolutely love when our Nature Nook families share their experiences! I've added a referral section to the enrollment packet so new families can let me know who referred them. As a thank you, qualifying referrals can receive a referral discount as a small way of showing appreciation for helping our Nature Nook family grow.

These updates reflect my commitment to creating a daycare experience that is intentional, transparent, and centered around the unique needs of every child and family.

I'm also excited to share that I currently have ONE opening available for a child over 2 years old!

If you're looking for a nurturing, curriculum-based, nature-inspired daycare where children are encouraged to explore, discover, create, and grow in a loving home environment, I'd love to connect with you.

📩 Send me a message via messenger or call 417-971-9696 to learn more, ask questions, or schedule your tour today!

Please fill out this form for a quote or for management to keep on file for your child's safety after enrollment.