Appleseed Frequently Asked Questions

Appleseed Childhood Education is the parent non-profit organization with a local board of directors that guides and funds the licensed Appletree Rensselaer child care center. We do this through partnerships, donations, grants, sponsorships, legislative efforts and community outreach.

Appletree is located at 1102 E. Grace Street in Rensselaer – right next door to the Franciscan Health Rensselaer hospital.

Right Steps, a non-profit organization based in Lafayette, Indiana manages the day-to-day operations of Appletree; they are experts in the field of early childhood education. Right Steps has served families for over fifty years and operates affordable, quality child care centers in Rensselaer, Remington, Goodland, and multiple locations in Lafayette.
The partnership between Right Steps and Appleseed Childhood Education has existed since Appleseed’s founding in 2020.

• We are a licensed child care provider for children from birth through five years old from households of any income level. No family pays the entire cost of care provided by Appletree Rensselaer.
• Our services are also provided year-round for twelve hours per day from Monday through Friday.
• Your child will be in a classroom with teachers who are trained to educate and evaluate the development of your child. If there are concerns with either, you will be counseled toward a course of action to ensure your child keeps progressing.

Appletree Rensselaer serves up to 70 children which doubles the number of licensed child care seats in Jasper County for infants, toddlers, and preschool-age children.

Children from birth through five years old can attend Appletree Rensselaer.

The center is open Monday through Friday, from 6:00 am – 6:00 pm Central Time, 52 weeks a year.

Enroll your child/children on the Right Steps website; rightstepscdc.org.

The cost to families is based on family income. We encourage all families to contact Appletree Rensselaer for accurate information about cost and opportunities for financial assistance.

Appleseed continues to raise funds to make quality child care more affordable for all of the families we serve. No family pays the whole cost of child care services at Appletree.

Yes! We encourage families who plan to use vouchers, or are unsure about their eligibility, to contact Appletree Rensselaer for more information. We will help you through the process.

Yes! Email Right Steps at rightstepscdc.org/contact for a tour of Appletree Rensselaer.

Visit the Right Steps website for the current job openings; rightstepscdc.org/careers/

Glad you asked! All donations go toward creating and sustaining early learning opportunities in our community.

There are two ways to make a donation to Appleseed Childhood Education. If your donation should go towards helping a specific family being served by Appletree Rensselaer, please mark your donation accordingly.

• Donate on-line through the Jasper Newton Foundation
• Mail a check made out to “Appleseed Childhood Education” to 1102 E. Grace St,
  Rensselaer, IN 47978

Contact Appletree Rensselaer at 219-206-1540 and be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram.