Early Learning facilities in san mateo county Presentation for the First 5 San Mateo County Commission April 24, 2017 Sarah Kinahan Consulting
Presentation agenda “Snapshot” of Brion Economics Needs Assessment First 5 San Mateo County’s Recent Facilities Investments SVCF’s Task Force Design Criteria Checklist Rebuilding Together Peninsula Next Steps for Build Up for San Mateo County’s Children Planning Phase Start Up Phase Sustainability Presentation agenda
“Snapshot” of the need Recap from the Brion Economics Needs Assessment: San Mateo County needs 10,789 new spaces for children ages 0-4; grows to 13,981 by 2025 if no new facilities are built. Gap requires $428.4 million capital funding to build new spaces. “Difficulty finding a site” was the #1 barrier for programs that want to expand.
First 5 san mateo county’s recent facilities investments (eq+IP) The Center for Early Learning (Silicon Valley Community Foundation) Early Learning Facilities Task Force Early Learning Facility Design Criteria Checklist and Guide Renovation projects with Rebuilding Together Peninsula
CEL/SVCF’s Early Learning facilities task force Cross-sector Task Force met four times in 16-17. Issued the following recommendations: Work across sectors to reuse/re-designate existing space. Work with cities and the county on policies and incentives to prioritize child care in future developments. Engage large employers to create new child care facilities for their employees. Generate revenue for facility development through local tax measures, and assist providers in drawing down existing funds. Identified a need for a coordinated, cross-agency approach, supported by paid staff, to work on these recommendations. Task Force members included reps from elected officials, school districts, real estate, nonprofits, business, city and county, faith-based, affordable housing
Early Learning Facility Design Criteria Checklist and Guide SMCOE worked with design expert, Kathy Tama, to develop a self- assessment Checklist and supplementary Guide that coaches or directors can use for facility planning and quality improvement. SMCOE worked with design expert, Kathy Tama, to adapt a previously developed quality checklist to work in tandem with local QRIS. Space, sinks/toilets, lighting, acoustics, air quality, storage, etc. Converted to a self-assessment Checklist and supplementary Guide that coaches or directors can use. Looks at 21 elements of the facility design and conditions; references the latest research and best practices. Ongoing discussion of how to integrate it in QRIS and Quality Improvement Plans and how to make relevant for Family Child Care. During discussion of SMC’s QRIS, prior to joining RTT pilot, desire to include missing quality elements of Facilities and Family Engagement. How?
Solutions to design challenges The Guide offers possible solutions to design challenges. One child-height sink required for every 15 children
Renovation projects with Rebuilding Together Peninsula Renovation projects at child care centers and family child care homes serving some low-income residents. National Rebuilding Day in the last Saturday in April. This year, five projects in The Big Lift communities will be completed leveraging First 5 San Mateo County funds. Why are we talking about renovation along with new spaces Links RTP’s existing community facilities renovation program to child care centers and family child care homes serving some low-income residents. SMCOE, 4Cs and RTP conduct joint site visits to applicants, using the quality checklist as a guide for improvements. First 5 SMC provides leveraged funds to support additional projects in Big Lift communities. National Rebuilding Day in the last Saturday in April. This year, five projects will be completed leveraging First 5 funds. RTP also considering three more child care projects for summer “Team Builds”.
Robin Bradley’s Family Child Care, East Palo Alto (Quality Counts participant)
Flooring, windows, blinds, screen door, and lighting in playroom
Footsteps Child Care, Nesbit Site, Belmont (QRIS participant) Replaced counters, sinks and cabinetry in several classrooms Footsteps Child Care, Nesbit Site, Belmont (QRIS participant)
Coastside Children’s Programs, Montara Site (The Big Lift Preschool Grantee) Refinished walkways, stairs, exterior doors Repainted interior walls Lowered bathroom stall dividers and removed doors to improve supervision
Next Steps for Build Up for San Mateo County’s Children Plan Start Up Sustain
Planning phase Spring through Fall 2017 Lead Partners Paid Staff Community Advocates Cross-Sector Advisory Body Child Care Partnership Council Spring through Fall 2017 F5 has funded a consultant to coordinate the planning phase over the next few months Deliverables: Year 1 Goals, Budget, and Staffing Proposal Communications Plan Identify partners for start up funding Define roles of organizations and partners Convene cross-sector Advisory body What is the timeline April 28 – meeting of lead partners May 22 – CCPC meeting Advisory Body supports the Child Care Partnership Council
Lead planning partners
Starting build up for san mateo county’s children Winter 2017 through 2018 Phased-approach to staffing and growing Key Start Up Activities: Track and support new child care development throughout county Communicate findings from needs assessment and recommendations of Task Force Identify resources to build more child care facilities Expand partners and allies from other sectors
sustaining build up for san mateo county’s children 2019 and beyond A meaningful role for Advisory Body and Lead Partners/Funders Demonstrate results by increasing the number of child care spaces Integrate with quality improvement efforts to raise quality Long-term sustainable funding for development and renovation projects Improved city and county policies promoting child care development
For more information Sarah Kinahan, Sarah Kinahan Consulting Sarah.j.Kinahan@gmail.com 650-776-4534