Teaching Tree Early Childhood Learning Center

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

IN 2021, TEACHING TREE SURVIVED ANOTHER YEAR OF THE COVID PANDEMIC. WE KEPT OUR CLASSROOMS SAFE AND OPEN THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. WE SERVED 400 CHILDREN LIVING IN LOW- AND MIDDLE-INCOME FAMILIES. OF THIS TOTAL, 37% LIVED IN LOW-INCOME FAMILIES, 23% WERE OF DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS, AND 28% LIVED IN SINGLE PARENT FAMILIES. WE SUPPORTED LOW-INCOME FAMILIES' EFFORTS TOWARD SELF-SUFFICIENCY BY PROVIDING THEM WITH 220,379 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 2021, TEACHING TREE ALSO: "HELPED CLOSE THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP BY (1) PROVIDING FULL-DAY CARE AND EDUCATION FOR 32 CHILDREN IN THE COLORADO PRESCHOOL PROGRAM, AND (2) GRADUATING 51 STUDENTS READY TO ENTER KINDERGARTEN WITH THE SKILLS TO SUCCEED. "INCREASED CHILDREN'S SKILLS IN ALL 6 DEVELOPMENTAL DOMAINS ESSENTIAL TO SCHOOL SUCCESS. "ADDRESSED CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH/BEHAVIORAL ISSUES BY RECEIVING CLASSROOM SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE FROM EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL OF LARIMER COUNTY MENTAL HEALTH CONSULTANTS. "SERVED FREE AND REDUCED LUNCH TO 105 STUDENTS. PROVIDED CHILDREN WITH 104,860 NUTRITIOUS MEALS AND SNACKS. TO ADDRESS THE CHILDCARE WORKER CRISIS, WE DEVELOPED AND RECEIVED FUNDING TO IMPLEMENT AN INCENTIVE BONUS PROGRAM THAT PROVIDED MONTHLY BONUSES TO EMPLOYEES THAT MET THE PROGRAM'S SPECIFIC CRITERIA IN THE AREAS OF PERFORMANCE, QUALITY, AND RETENTION. ADDITIONALLY, OUR BOARD APPROVED RAISING STARTING PAY FOR TEACHERS AND AIDES AND GIVING ANNUAL RAISES TO EXISTING STAFF.