Teaching Tree Early Childhood Learning Center

PROVIDING QUALITY, AFFORDABLE, EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE FOR FAMILIES OF ALL SOCIO-ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL BACKGROUNDS.

2023 WAS A YEAR OF PROGRESSION AT TEACHING TREE. AS THE EFFECTS OF COVID CONTINUED TO DECREASE, WE WERE ABLE TO FOCUS OUR ATTENTION ON BUILDING NEW PARTNERSHIPS AND PROGRAMS TO BETTER SERVE OUR STUDENTS, FAMILIES, AND STAFF. WE SERVED 415 CHILDREN LIVING IN LOW- AND MIDDLE-INCOME FAMILIES. OF THIS TOTAL, 36% LIVED IN LOW-INCOME FAMILIES, 24% WERE OF DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS, AND 20% LIVED IN SINGLE PARENT FAMILIES. WE SUPPORTED LOW-INCOME FAMILIES' EFFORTS TOWARD SELF-SUFFICIENCY BY PROVIDING THEM WITH 252,735 IN CHILDCARE SCHOLARSHIPS AND DISCOUNTS. IN ADDITION TO ENABLING PARENTS TO WORK, THIS ASSISTANCE ENSURED THAT THEIR DISADVANTAGED YOUNG CHILDREN WERE RECEIVING QUALITY CARE AND PARTICIPATING IN AN EVIDENCE-BASED EARLY LEARNING PROGRAM THAT BUILT UPON THEIR STRENGTHS, HELPED THEM OVERCOME ADVERSITY, AND PREPARED THEM TO SUCCEED IN SCHOOL. IN 2023, TEACHING TREE ALSO: O HELPED CLOSE THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP BY (1) PROVIDING FULL-DAY CARE AND EDUCATION FOR 24 CHILDREN IN THE COLORADO PRESCHOOL PROGRAM, (2) PROVIDING 41 WEEKS OF FULL-DAY AND EDUCATION FOR 72 CHIDLREN IN THE UNIVERSAL PRESCHOOL PROGRAM, AND (3) GRADUATING 81 STUDENTS READY TO ENTER KINDERGARTEN WITH THE SKILLS TO SUCCEED. O INCREASED CHILDREN'S SKILLS IN ALL 6 DEVELOPMENTAL DOMAINS ESSENTIAL TO SCHOOL SUCCESS. O ADDRESSED CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH/BEHAVIORAL ISSUES BY RECEIVING CLASSROOM SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE FROM EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL OF LARIMER COUNTY MENTAL HEALTH CONSULTANTS. PARTNERED WITH THE EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL'S MENTAL HEALTH CONSULTANTS TO PROVIDE TRAINING FOR 31 TEACHING TREE FAMILIES FREE OF CHARGE AND LOCATED ON SITE AT TEACHING TREE IN FORT COLLINS. O SERVED FREE AND REDUCED LUNCH TO 113 STUDENTS. O PROVIDED CHILDREN WITH 121,043 NUTRITIOUS MEALS AND SNACKS. TO ADDRESS THE CHILDCARE WORKER CRISIS, WE DEVELOPED AND RECEIVED FUNDING TO IMPLEMENT A MONTHLY INCENTIVE BONUS PROGRAM, PROVIDED ADDITIONAL PAID DAYS OFF EACH MONTH FOR STAFF, AND PROVIDED WELLNESS STIPENDS TO STAFF IN ORDER FOR THEM TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS. ADDITIONALLY, OUR BOARD APPROVED RAISING STARTING PAY FOR TEACHERS AND AIDES AND GIVING ANNUAL RAISES TO EXISTING STAFF.