Sound Child Care SolutionsA Consortium of Centers, Better

Together

Why are most kids in sub-standard care? Why is there a gap between what parents

can pay and what it costs? Why does the average director burn-out

and leave after 2 years? Why do boards burn-out too? Why do teachers have trouble gaining

credentials? How can directors be expected to

simultaneously be great business people and visionary educational leaders?

Non-profit structure for high quality centers to join together

Share ‘back office’ functions to streamline & strengthen business practice; costs covered by savings from operating together (no fees)

Retain feeling of small (name, community & family identity)

Center directors get support to achieve their Educational Vision

Shared Leadership across centers Anti-racism focus

Better together Economic strength from being a larger organization Financial discounts from economies of scale = more $

$ for education Comprehensive approach to professional

development Technology tools streamline

business; help teachers individualize teaching

Industry Trend towards consolidation; avoids “McDonalds” of child care

Avoids director and board burn-out Teacher pathways to stay in

education

LESS CHAOS: Strong, stable administration is necessary for teachers to thrive in their passion

MORE VISION: Directors need support to achieve their educational vision

MORE MONEY FOR KIDS: Keep the ‘small’ that works, but increase size to free funds for classrooms

Diana Bender, Co-Executive Director◦ 10 yrs at City of Seattle (Early HS, Financing)◦ Master’s from Harvard◦ Significant Fundraising, Financial Analysis,

Management experience Laura McAlister, Co-Executive Director

◦ 25 years with children, families & teachers as teacher, Center Director and College Professor

◦ Master’s from Pacific Oaks◦ Significant Coaching and Teacher Training

experience

Financial (Payroll, Benefits, Billing)

Bulk purchasing goods & services

Professional Development system

Fundraising & Development (Re) Accreditation support

Staff Recruitment

Substitute Pool

Technology

Helping infuse Culturally Relevant Anti-Bias Practice

Hire, fire and all supervision

Sign off timesheets and parent bills

Create and manage Center Budget

Make all decisions re education, curriculum &

family participation

Share in decisions affecting more than one

center (vendors, insurance, professional

development system, SCCS-wide budget)

Integrated approach more effective, less

expensive with better child outcomes

Teacher-as-researcher with Mentor Teacher

Professional Development plans lead to

degrees necessary for accreditation

Teaching improves by sparking intellectual

curiosity & building competence

Career pathways keep teachers teaching

Benefits to CentersSaves Money: At scale, central costs & PD

covered. Savings of $20-40K annually as each new center joins.

Financial Management: Directors do budgets (with support), Advisory Board approves, Financial Analysis

Fundraising: Larger Impact, Access to more Grants

Operations Support: Share Best Practices & Problem-solving, Support for Culturally Relevant Anti-Bias Practice, Shared parent education curricula

Professional Development

Builds community

Most Cost-Efficient Way to Organize

• Center staff become SCCS employees

• Center Director becomes SCCS Corporate Officer

• Center Board becomes Center Advisory Board• Center Director makes all Center management decisions (hiring, daily supervision, budget)

• Decisions affecting more than one center made by Consortium Leadership Team (Center Directors, VP Finance, Laura & Diana)

What about our assets? (They can be

protected.)

Why should I ‘give’ my center to you? (We

don’t want it!)

What’s the cost? (None; We’re raising start-

up costs then it’s sustainable.)

Do I have to use all services? (No)

Venture Grant from national experts on child care financing got us started.

Five centers fully integrated with basic shared services in place.

Sixth center set to open doors in Sept. 2011

Seeking $380K for full-scale pilot: $290K secured & $90K to go!

Strong Staff and Director

Source of Outside Funding

Shared Values: Early childhood education quality

Access for low income children

Culturally Relevant, Anti-bias policy and practice

Willingness to engage with new technology

Commitment to professional development

Overall process Exploration Phase Discussion Phase Commitment Phase

Possible Next Steps for Joining Get to know each other Explore Financial situation Explore Interim Support

possibilities Refine & develop

partnership(Q & A, define

implementation issues)

Process & Next Steps