LCC Case Statement - our mission, history, function & goals...
LCC Case Statement
updated April 2006
Mission statement:
Children matter.
Because children matter, the Leelanau Children’s Center provides high quality early childhood educational programs, and advocates for children, parents and families.
Goals
- LCC will keep children safe by preventing child abuse and neglect
- LCC will promote academic success
- LCC will support family stability
- LCC will increase community engagement
- LCC will meet the highest quality standards
Objectives
- LCC offers a center-based full and part day early childhood education program (ages 2.5-6).
- LCC mainstreams special education and non-English speaking students.
- LCC tracks the development of preschoolers using the research based Child Observation Record.
- LCC offers parents regular contact with teachers: at least two home visits/yr (more as needed), two parent-teacher conferences (more as needed) and monthly newsletters
- LCC tracks the development of participating infants and toddlers using a research based assessment tool (either the Ages and Stages Questionnaire of the Ounce Scale)
- LCC offers regular home visits to any parents in the Leland School District requesting child development or parenting information and to those who request resource and referral help.
- LCC offers regular parent education sessions.
- LCC provides scholarships to low income/at risk families
- LCC partners with Headstart and the Michigan Department of Education to provide a wide range of supports to eligible families
- LCC offers parents many involvement and leadership opportunities: participation in two fundraisers/year is expected, a Parents’ Advisory Committee, Board committees, and board membership offer parent leadership roles.
- LCC works collaboratively with county and regional human service agencies and schools.
- LCC provides model early childhood programming, offering support to other early childhood programs.
- LCC provides ongoing individualized and group staff development based on best practices, research and local needs.
- LCC staff are expected to have at a minimum a Child Development Associate degree, and encouraged to earn a teaching certificate with ZA endorsement.
History
LCC-Leland was founded because parents with young children in our area had nowhere to gather and play. Elizabeth Glass began a playgroup in the basement of Leland Community United Methodist Church. The playgroup grew into a morning preschool, which grew into a full day preschool, which grew into a full day preschool and before and after school program. At this point, the program was stretching the capacity of the most generous Leland United Methodist Church, so with the support of the Church, a wonderful facility was constructed. In the new facility, LCC-Leland grew into a dually accredited family support early childhood education program.
LCC-Northport was founded in 2006. The Leelanau Memorial Health Center/Hospital operated the "Discovery Center" in Northport for many years. When LMHC closed, the Center was in jeopardy of closing too. Many concerned community members, parents, Northport Public School administrators, and LMHC administrators united together to find a solution for the children & parents of Northport. The Leelanau Children's Center board and staff were asked to operate the Center in Northport and accepted the role. LCC-Northport hosts a multi-age classroom with toddlers, preschoolers and kindergarten latch key children.
Timeline:
- 1976, LCC incorporated.
- LCC adds a full day program.
- 1988, LCC inaugurates the current facility, after a two year capital campaign.
- 1990s, LCC creates an endowment - four funds are established: John Simpson scholarship, Miss Sally staff development, Louetta Greeno building and grounds, Phinny-Glass special projects.
- 1995, LCC is the first Center in the county to become accredited by National Association for the Education of Young Children.
- 2002, LCC is the first Center in the region to become accredited by Family Support America
- 2004, LCC’s endowment exceeds 1 million.
- 2005, LCC’s endowment grows to 2 million.
- 2006, LCC’s endowment grows to 3 million, capital campaign planned for building expansion
- 2006, LCC adds a toddler classroom and starts a Northport center
Structure – Board
The LCC Board is comprised of parents and community members. The board functions using Formal Consensus. Board members serve on one of the five Standing Committees and one of the five Fundraising Committees.
Standing Committees:
Personnel
Planning
Finance
Community Outreach
Building and Grounds
Fundraising Committees:
Friends
Silent Auction
Carnival
Golf Scramble
Donations Acquisition
Staff
The staff of LCC is comprised of an Executive Director, two Site Directors, 9 full-time teachers, support staff, an on-call substitute teacher, 2 home visitors, a business manager, and two cooks.
All the teaching/home visiting staff will have CDAs by the end of 2006. Home visiting staff are Parents As Teachers certified. Two staff members are elementary certified (one an MA, one a BS) and one has a ZA Endorsement. The Executive Director holds a MA in Human Growth and Development.
LCC staff has over 105 years of cumulative experience in early childhood education.
Fundraising
LCC generates income from four primary sources. In 2005/2006 income sources include:
35% parent fees
18% endowment
12% local fundraising
36% grants
LCC expenses are commensurate with program goals and objectives. Most expenses are related to personnel (staff salaries and benefits). Of the program costs 85% are for personnel, 70% of which are classroom or home visiting related.
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LCC-Leland • 111 N 5th • Leland, Michigan • 49654 • 231-256-7841
LCC-Northport • 164 S High St • Northport, Michigan • 49670 • 231-386-5144
Email us at info@leelanauchildrenscenter.org
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