InTucker Magazine

Business of the Month – Turning Sun of Tucker

Turning Sun of Tucker is driven by a passion for inspiring the next generation, valuing children’s interests, and providing an enriching educational experience. Owner Anna Axt, brings 17 years of early childhood education experience, and her staff shares her dedication to nurturing their students. The daycare embraces the Reggio Emilia Philosophy, where educators observe children’s interests and incorporate those into the curriculum. This approach, combined with their deep commitment to fostering a love of learning, has made Turning Sun a treasured resource in the Tucker community.

“I think it’s that sense of community and philosophy that we have,” Axt said. “It’s about the whole child. It’s not just fitting them into a box. Every child is an individual and can also bring something to the table.”

Before opening the Tucker location, Axt worked as an educator at another Turning Sun location owned by Bill Asp, who was looking to expand. Asp believed it would be beneficial to have a franchise owner with childcare experience, someone who could provide a more personal and effective approach to caring for children. Axt saw this as a great opportunity and began searching for a location. She eventually found the perfect spot in Tucker—Lawrenceville Road United Methodist Church—which she felt offered both a great physical space and a vibrant community.

“As we were looking, we came across Lawrenceville Road United Methodist Church, and they had a whole other education building that was just really beautiful,” Axt said. “There are all these woods nearby. We are across the street from Johns Homestead. We just kind of fell in love with the area and the community. We worked with the church to create a lease and now we’ve been here for almost seven years.”

The location, along with the support of the local community, has been key to the success of Turning Sun. Axt emphasizes that the Tucker community plays a vital role in enhancing the daycare service, with members regularly volunteering their time. Turning Sun offers a variety of hands-on learning experiences, including fi eld trips, gardening, recycling, and arts projects. The children have created art using recyclable materials and visited the DeKalb Farmers Market Recycling Center. Expert guest speakers, including musicians, also visit to introduce the children to different fi elds of interest. It is this combination of community involvement, a passion for early childhood education, and a commitment to valuing each child that makes Turning Sun stand out as a top choice for childcare.

“I just really love the community,” Axt said. “I love that there are a lot of like-minded educators who value the work of children, which is to play and get messy and be valued as members of our community.”

Located on the campus of Lawrenceville Road United Methodist Church, Turning Sun is at 3142 Lawrenceville Highway right here in Tucker and online at turningsun.com/campustucker