For 40 years, Tiny Tots and Little Tykes (TTLT) has been serving West St.

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1 TIny ToTs & LITTLE TykEs Inspiring Learning Empowering Parents 40th Anniversary Capital Campaign

2 TIny ToTs & LITTLE Ty kes Welcome! For 40 years, Tiny Tots and Little Tykes (TTLT) has been serving West St. Paul and surrounding communities with high quality child care, early childhood education programs, pre-school programs, after-school programming for school-age children through age 12, and parenting support to families all along the socioeconomic spectrum. Over the past 15 years, we have seen dramatic changes in the communities we serve (primarily West St. Paul, South Saint Paul, Saint Paul s West Side and Dayton s Bluff neighborhoods, and Inver Grove Heights) as the number of families of color now represent over 1/3 of the population in our service area, and approximately 35% of the families in our area are low-income households. Over the same time period, considerable research has been published as to the importance of early childhood development and the role engaged parents have in this development. For example, we know that 90% of brain development occurs from birth to age five. In addition, early brain development is reliant upon appropriate care and nurturing to prevent disparities in learning, behavior, and health. At TTLT we take our role very seriously to inspire learning and empower parents. After four decades of relying on the generosity of local churches and schools to provide affordable leased space, TTLT is launching its 40th Anniversary Campaign to facilitate the purchase and build-out of a permanent location in West St. Paul. In addition, a portion of Campaign proceeds will be set aside to ensure TTLT can continue to provide scholarships for the low-income families we serve, thus ensuring we are reaching those which are most in need of support. We are thrilled to have this opportunity to approach our community to support our vision for the future. Thank you for your time, interest, and consideration. Best wishes, Sylvia Nelson Witz Founder & Board President ManaRae Schaan President & Executive Director

3 Our children have been part of the Tiny Tots & Little Tykes family for ten years. The superior care, learning opportunities and supportive staff have prepared our children for a successful school experience. We could not have asked for more. Kim & Russ Z. The need for Tiny Tots & Little Tykes Problem: solution: Problem: solution: Children who enter kindergarten unprepared are 25% more likely to drop out of school, 60% more likely to never attend college, and 70% more likely to be arrested for a violent crime. Through high quality child care and preschool programs, over 95% of Tiny Tots pre-school children have attained the social and academic foundation to succeed in kindergarten and the early grades. Minnesota is the second least affordable state in the country for child care, with costs exceeding the average in-state tuition and fees for a public 4-year college, and often is the largest single expense for a family greater than housing, transportation, food, or health care. In addition, only 3% of eligible infants are able to secure spots in Early Head Start due to limited funding. Tiny Tots offers scholarships, flexible schedules, drop-in hours, and emergency child care to accommodate the needs of low-income and working families. 1

4 Infant Program 6 weeks through 15 months P r o g r A m m I n g Understanding that long-term brain development starts with building a base early on Tiny Tots work with infants is centered around fostering a trusting relationship between the teacher and child; catering to the individual needs of each child; and following his/her eating, sleeping, diapering, and play patterns. An active learning environment is provided, which enables Tiny Tots to meet the individual goals for each child in the areas of: Social/Emotional, Cognitive/Academic, Self-help, and Physical. Toddler Program 16 through 32 months supportive relationships and positive learning experiences begin at home but are also provided through a range of services at Tiny Tots. Toddler s brains require stable, caring, interactive relationships with adults any way or any place they can be provided benefits healthy brain development. At Tiny Tots, children are provided these adult relationships while learning routine and experiencing hands-on learning through their senses. All art in this publication was created by children participating in Tiny Tots programs. All photos are of Tiny Tots children and parents.

5 Preschool Program 33 months though kindergarten Almost half of Minnesota children enter kindergarten not fully prepared to succeed. At Tiny Tots, virtually every child who leaves our preschool program is ready for the social, emotional, and educational essentials needed for a successful school experience. We achieve this level of success using Tiny Tots teachers as facilitators in an active learning environment allowing children to initiate, discover, experience, and learn about ideas, events, and people. The program is focused on children creating, experimenting, problem-solving, and resolving conflicts as they learn. Language, literacy, communication skills, physical development, health and well-being, creative arts, mathematics, science and technological concepts, perceptual skills, social studies, and personal and social growth are embedded in the program. school-age Program kindergarten through age 12 According to the U.S. Departments of Education and Justice, students in quality after school programs have better academic performance, behavior, school attendance, and greater expectations for the future. Tiny Tots School-Age program allows for children to grow and be enriched in a safe environment. They are provided learning opportunities and activities in the areas of language, gross-motor, creative arts, math and science concepts, health, safety, nutrition, perceptual skills, the world around us, and personal and social growth. 3

6 Enrichment offerings spanish, music, computer skills The Spanish program helps children to learn a different language in a fun and inviting classroom environment. Children are taught words and phrases through songs, stories, flash cards, and games. The music program teaches children to enjoy and learn about music, movement, and rhythm via songs, rhyming books, dance, and instruments. The computer program provides opportunities for children to learn early technology skills (using a mouse, keyboard, and terminology) via learning apps, educational software, and online activities on a laptop or ipad. Parental Involvement Volunteering, skill-building P arents and grandparents participate in the Tiny Tots program by sharing their interests and skills. They may volunteer for classroom parties and fieldtrips. In addition, parental education is provided during the enrollment policy meeting, during parentteacher conferences, through monthly parent education topics, and as needed and/or requested. Families are also invited to participate and build community with one another at our monthly night out gatherings.

7 The best economic development strategy is investment in early childhood. Every dollar spent on preschool produces a 12 percent return, a number that, in the private sector, would start a venture capital stampede. Art Rolnick, Former Senior Vice President, Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis Tiny Tots Curriculum & Assessment Tiny Tots utilizes the curriculum and assessments developed by the HighScope Educational Research Foundation a world-renowned organization that has developed best practice curriculum and assessment tools for early childhood education most famously applied to the Perry Preschool longitudinal study in Michigan. HighScope s approach emphasizes active participatory learning. Active learning means children have direct, hands-on experiences with people, objects, events, and ideas to expand their thinking. Tiny Tots and Little Tykes is fully accredited by National Early Childhood Program Accreditation (NECPA). In addition, TTLT has consistently earned a four star (highest possible) ranking from Parent Aware of Minnesota. RATE OF RETURN Rates of Return to Human Capital Investment Preschool programs Schooling Preschool School 0 AGE Post-school Opportunity cost of funds Job training Research shows that our young people need access to opportunities for learning beyond the classroom that help them think before they act, build self-esteem, practice teamwork and learn to put their own needs and desires in a larger perspective participating in quality out-of-school time programming has wide-ranging and far-reaching benefits for young people, and helps them become happy, productive, contributing adults. Youthprise,

8 ThE CAPITAL ProjECT Capital Project since its inception, Tiny Tots and Little Tykes has relied upon local churches and schools for affordable space for its programs and administration. TTLT s current location, St. Croix Lutheran School in West St. Paul, has been its home for the past 21 years but will soon become unavailable due to the school s own facility needs. After a thorough search within its primary service area, TTLT identified a location at 60 East Marie Avenue in West St. Paul. Via a partnership with Langer Real Estate Services (whose owner is a long-time TTLT supporter), Tiny Tots will own the first floor and Langer will own the multi-tenanted second floor, which includes Academic Arts High School as the majority tenant. With approximately 12,000 square feet on the TTLT level, the building includes: 8,000 square feet of custom-designed program space, including a large-muscle room for year-round physical activity, and separate areas planned specifically for the different age groups served at TTLT; 1,500 square feet of efficient administrative space; A warming kitchen; and Room for future expansion to serve up to 33% more children and families annually. In addition, the location provides easy access via public transportation, ample parking, and an area to install a customdesigned playground to facilitate outdoor recreation and physical development.

9 Sylvia Nelson Witz, founder, and husband, Chet Witz, at Tiny Tots and Little Tykes 40th Anniversary Celebration. Project Impact With a successful 40th Anniversary Campaign, Tiny Tots and Little Tykes will: Guarantee uninterrupted service for the 300 children and 210 families served annually; Operate in space created with best practice design to serve children and families; Expand the scholarship fund to allow more low-income families to access the high quality programs and services provided by TTLT; Contribute to building a strong economy by providing affordable child care; Ensure TTLT resources can be used for programs and operations, not debt-service; Expand the total number of children and families served by 33% over a multi-year period; Continue preparing children to succeed socially, emotionally, and academically when they enter school; and Additional space will create opportunities for special programming and on-site collaborations with community partners. The teachers have partnered with us to create an individualized plan for our child to make sure she was being successful in the classroom. We really appreciate their help and creativity, personalized approach, and patience. Michelle L. 7

10 Children who participate in (high-quality Early Childhood Education) programs are more likely to have the necessary skills such as abstract reasoning, problem solving and communication to meet the demands of tomorrow s workforce. Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Commission to Build a Healthier America race/ethnicity: Income: Families: Academics: Accreditations: number served: Enrollment: Budget: TTLT Demographics & stats 40% of TTLT children and families are from communities of color: 22% African American; 14% Hispanic; 3% Asian; and 1% American Indian. Two-thirds of children and youth enrolled at TTLT are from low-income families. 44% of TTLT families are headed by single mothers. Children served by TTLT are at or above the national average in language, literacy and numeracy. Fully accredited by National Early Childhood Program Accreditation (NECPA). In addition, TTLT has consistently earned a four star (highest possible) ranking from Parent Aware of Minnesota. Since its inception in 1973, Tiny Tots has served over 12,000 children. Over 300 children from 210 families enrolled annually. $900,000 annual budget with 16 full-time and 4 part-time staff. staff: TTLT staff are highly qualified and dedicated to serving youth and families evidenced by their longevity at Tiny Tots. Leadership staff have been with the organization for at least 15 years, and 80% of the head teachers and 66% of the teachers aides have 5+ years with the organization. 8

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12 Tiny Tots and Little Tykes, Inc. Preschool and Child Care Center 1200 Oakdale Avenue West St. Paul, MN June 1, 2014, new address 60 East Marie Avenue Ste. 100 West St. Paul, MN mission To provide a loving, wholesome, safe learning environment that nurtures each child in his/her social, emotional, and intellectual growth and development, and one that encourages each child to develop a good and accurate self-concept. Sylvia Nelson Witz Founder and Board President sylchet@msn.com ManaRae Schaan President/Executive Director mschaanttlt@netzero.net Kathy Darrow Vice President/Assistant Director tinytotsandlittletykes@netzero.net Katrina Baird Director of Education ttlt2@netzero.com