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United Campus Ministry papers, 1970-1972

1971-05-10 Melrose Daycare Center Page 2

- Resource persons from the community have given generously to help with health and nutrition needs, to aid us in getting started and in our continuing program, to counsel in areas of children's growth and needs, and in many other ways.
- Melrose has served as an educational experience for others in the U. and the community (student nurses, new staff from other day cares, U. students from several fields of study) who have come to observe.
- Melrose has served as a sort of happy medium when compared to other day cares in the community. It is more structured than the free day cares which helps to insure its continuing existence; but it is not as structured as the U. model which would not be financially possible for us to support.
- The kind of philosophy and program has been an on-going dialogue among day care staff, parents, UUCM Board, and others in the community. The one thing that has always been constant is loving care which makes for happy children. Although there has never been a highly structured climate, there has been a wide variety of living and learning experiences offered such as trips to the library, stores, farms, etc.; much opportunity for active play and physical skills in the back yard; books, music, art work, etc.; and even swimming lessons at the rec. Center.
- Melrose has fulfilled its goal in a variety of ways to foster and promote other day care. A number of its staff have organized day cares as a result of their experience at Melrose. A number of parents involved in the free day cares have had children at Melrose and they have taken some of that philosophy as well as seeking specific information from us to use in free day cares. Persons have written to us for information. We have encouraged more day care in Iowa City by our participation in programs and at meetings where the matter has been discussed.

Financial Situation
     A brief summary of the financial picture might be helpful.
- From Oct. '66 to Dec. '67 (15 mos.)
    Capital expenditures - $6500.
     Operative expenses (over income - $3000.
- 1968 operating expenses     -1800.
-1969 operating expenses     -1200.
1970 operating expenses     -$215
- Jan. thru April 1971, Income (over expenses) - $1851.

     While this year's balance to date looks extremely bright, it will undoubtedly be reduced during the summer months when enrollment is not as full and when the  yearly cleaning and painting is more costly. If, however, we do go into the fall with some balance, then we need to consider the following possibilities:
     - Buy more materials and equipment which we have skimped on for too long.
     - Increase our staff salaries. The highest paid persons, except for our director ($450/mo.), receive only $1.70/hr.
     - Consider some reduction in registration fees.
     Some reasons for our improved financial condition in recent years include benefit from federal food program and use of several work-study persons on our staff. We have received a few small gifts from time to time for materials and equipment.

The Current Situation
     Our present director, Bobbe Akre, deserves a great deal of credit for the current stability and all-around healthy condition of Melrose. After living through a somewhat stormy beginning, she has guided the program to this situation where there is now an experienced and unified staff, the enrollment is again full, the financial situation is very bright, and most important, parents and children are very satisfied with Melrose. Bobbe has just returned from the meeting of the Midwest Assoc. for the Education of the Young Child, at Cincinnati. Such concern for continued education and enrichment will continue to be of benefit to the entire staff and program. The future of Melrose Day Care Center with all that it has to offer looks very good at this point.

Saving...

- Resource persons from the community have given generously to help with health and nutrition needs, to aid us in getting started and in our continuing program, to counsel in areas of children's growth and needs, and in many other ways. - Melrose has served as an educational experience for others in the U. and the community (student nurses, new staff from other day cares, U. students from several fields of study) who have come to observe. - Melrose has served as a sort of happy medium when compared to other day cares in the community. It is more structured than the free day cares which helps to insure its continuing existence; but it is not as structured as the U. model which would not be financially possible for us to support. - The kind of philosophy and program has been an on-going dialogue among day care staff, parents, UUCM Board, and others in the community. The one thing that has always been constant is loving care which makes for happy children. Although there has never been a highly structured climate, there has been a wide variety of living and learning experiences offered such as trips to the library, stores, farms, etc.; much opportunity for active play and physical skills in the back yard; books, music, art work, etc.; and even swimming lessons at the rec. Center. - Melrose has fulfilled its goal in a variety of ways to foster and promote other day care. A number of its staff have organized day cares as a result of their experience at Melrose. A number of parents involved in the free day cares have had children at Melrose and they have taken some of that philosophy as well as seeking specific information from us to use in free day cares. Persons have written to us for information. We have encouraged more day care in Iowa City by our participation in programs and at meetings where the matter has been discussed. Financial Situation A brief summary of the financial picture might be helpful. - From Oct. '66 to Dec. '67 (15 mos.) Capital expenditures - $6500. Operative expenses (over income - $3000. - 1968 operating expenses -1800. -1969 operating expenses -1200. 1970 operating expenses -$215 - Jan. thru April 1971, Income (over expenses) - $1851. While this year's balance to date looks extremely bright, it will undoubtedly be reduced during the summer months when enrollment is not as full and when the yearly cleaning and painting is more costly. If, however, we do go into the fall with some balance, then we need to consider the following possibilities: - Buy more materials and equipment which we have skimped on for too long. - Increase our staff salaries. The highest paid persons, except for our director ($450/mo.), receive only $1.70/hr. - Consider some reduction in registration fees. Some reasons for our improved financial condition in recent years include benefit from federal food program and use of several work-study persons on our staff. We have received a few small gifts from time to time for materials and equipment. The Current Situation Our present director, Bobbe Akre, deserves a great deal of credit for the current stability and all-around healthy condition of Melrose. After living through a somewhat stormy beginning, she has guided the program to this situation where there is now an experienced and unified staff, the enrollment is again full, the financial situation is very bright, and most important, parents and children are very satisfied with Melrose. Bobbe has just returned from the meeting of the Midwest Assoc. for the Education of the Young Child, at Cincinnati. Such concern for continued education and enrichment will continue to be of benefit to the entire staff and program. The future of Melrose Day Care Center with all that it has to offer looks very good at this point.