Montgomery Early Learning Centers
ANNUAL REPORT
WWW.MELC.ORG
LETTER FROM THE BOARD PRESIDENT As another year comes to a close, we reflect with pride on the significant accomplishments that have taken place this year, and position MELC for future growth and opportunity. This past year we celebrated our 50th anniversary, a large milestone in our history. We continued to uphold our core mission of providing high quality early childhood education and school age programs to children, while key investments were made for our future. The Creative Curriculum framework was introduced to Center Directors in order to implement a research proven learning tool in our infant, toddler and pre-school classrooms next year. In addition, our pre-school and school age programs focused on creating healthy social emotional and positive classroom environments, respectively using the age appropriate PATHS and PAX practices. In addition to supporting MELC’s quality improvement efforts, PD Dimensions continued to support over 1,000 early childhood and school age providers through our annual Social Emotional and STEAM Conferences, as well as through various educational partners and providers. Looking forward to the future, we have exciting developments underway that will continue to position MELC as a leader for high quality education and care in the Philadelphia region. Our newest Head Start center in Point Breeze has launched and continues to grow, and our partnership with Temple University’s Learning Center will bring MELC’s first location to North Philadelphia. Lastly, as Ann O’Brien completes her first year as MELC’s new CEO, we are excited for what’s ahead. MELC was founded by a community of local families, staff and volunteers with the main goal to address the unmet educational childcare needs. As we begin to write the next 50 years, that goal remains the same. Today’s community of teachers, staff, partners and families must continue to work together in order to ensure that every child’s individual need is met and we can provide them all with every opportunity to lead a happy and successful life.
John Ungar | PRESIDENT
April: The first, full-time Executive Director, Barry Hertz, is hired.
March: The Association’s
Ambler Center opens with 12 children enrolled.
March: Day Care Association of Montgomery County, Inc. is incorporated as a Pennsylvania not-for-profit agency.
1968 1969 1967
WHERE WE STARTED IS JUST AS IMPORTANT AS WHERE WE’RE GOING. 1964 It all started Winter, 1963...
September/October:
The Main Line and Norristown Centers open.
NORRISTOWN CENTER
1963
An initial community meeting is held in Ambler to discuss unmet needs for day care, and to determine how the community might best respond.
2014 ACCOMPLISHMENT • Deloitte Impact Day Volunteers created a new outdoor garden.
October: The Ardmore Center opens. April: Ruth Mayden becomes the Association’s second Executive Director.
November: Ambler, Ardmore and Pottstown Centers offer school age care programs for the first time.
In 1998, the Ardmore Center moved to Narberth, Pa and was aptly renamed to Narberth Center.
January: The Association is the first private child care organization in Montgomery County to apply for and receive Federal funding.
September: Fred Citron is selected as the new Executive Director.
August: The Association advocates for expansion of child care in Montgomery County, and becomes the first agency in Pennsylvania to implement a sliding fee scale for families.
1970 1976 1971
1972
September: The Conshohocken and Pottstown Centers open.
POTTSTOWN CENTER 2014 ACCOMPLISHMENT • Achieved PA’s Keystone STAR 4 rating.
1978
1979
LOWER MERION SCHOOL AGE PROGRAM 2014 ACCOMPLISHMENT
March: Southeastern Pennsylvania School Age Child Care Project (SEPASACC) is established with a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare.
• Gladwyne and Belmont Hills Elementary Schools – Achieved PA’s Keystone STAR 4 rating.
1983
1987 1986
1988
1981 September: Plymouth Center is established at Plymouth Elementary School.
May: Association reintroduces child care for non-subsidy, private pay families. September: School-based centers open in Cynwyd and Penn Wynne Elementary Schools.
September: Jenkintown Center is established at Jenkintown Elementary School.
JENKINTOWN SCHOOL AGE PROGRAM July: First summer camp programs open at Ambler, Ardmore, Conshohocken and Pottstown Centers. September: School-based center opens at Merion Elementary School. October: On-site center opens at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia.
2014 ACCOMPLISHMENT • Reaccredited by the Council of Accreditation, nationally recognized for its high quality program.
From 1 center in 1963...
18
CENTERS
in 2014
From 12 children in 1963...
1,300
CHILDREN
in 2014
“AS A MOTHER YOU WANT TO GIVE YOUR CHILD A HIGH QUALITY PROGRAM AND MELC PROVIDES IT AND SO MUCH MORE. HIGH QUALITY IS A CLEAN AND SAFE ENVIRONMENT, A STRONG CHILD DEVELOPMENT CURRICULUM, EDUCATED AND CREDENTIALED TEACHERS AND A RESOURCE FOR FAMILIES.” RACHEL HONORÉ, MELC PARENT
5 50
YEARS IN THE MAKING
January: Narberth Center Opens. March: Central Administration office relocates to Narberth from Broad Ave. September: Springfield Center opens.
NARBERTH CENTER
1993
2014 ACCOMPLISHMENT
December: Day Care Association of Montgomery County, Inc. becomes Montgomery Early Learning Centers (MELC) to reflect heightened focus on early childhood education components.
• Recognized as a Wells Fargo Community Connection partner.
1994 June: Association celebrates 30th Anniversary at Jefferson House, and is ranked 12th largest not-for-profit child care agency in capacity in U.S.
September: Infant Friendship Center in West Philadelphia formally merges with MELC.
1996 1998 September: Gladwyne, Penn Valley
and Conshohocken Centers open.
1999
June: Glenside Center opens. November: Montgomery County Child Care Consortium is launched.
The Jenkintown and Plymouth Centers become accredited through NAA (National After School Association) and achieves PA Keystone STARS 4 rating.
September: MELC and People’s Emergency Center launch a new, state-of-the-art learning center in West Philadelphia – Families First – receives large start-up grant from PA Dept. of Community and Economic Development.
2006
2007
FAMILIES FIRST CENTER 2014 ACCOMPLISHMENT • Maintained PA’s Keystone STAR 4 rating.
The Pottstown Center joins the Pottstown School District’s Pottstown Early Action for Kindergarten Readiness (PEAK) initiative to enhance program quality. October: Families First and Pottstown Centers launch Pre-K Counts.
Infant Friendship Center receives accreditation from
2003
2000
2002
the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) which is the highest level an early childhood center can achieve. MELC offers Head Start and Early Head Start programs through partnerships with Montgomery County, Maternity Care Coalition and The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
INFANT FRIENDSHIP CENTER 2014 ACCOMPLISHMENT • Received a Terri Lynne Lokoff Child Care Center Enhancement Grant to create the “Outdoor Oasis” updating the front play area.
COLONIAL SCHOOL AGE PROGRAM MELC receives first time funding from United Way.
2014 ACCOMPLISHMENT
Narberth and Families First Centers are chosen to participate in United Way’s Success by 6® programs.
• Plymouth Elementary School was reaccredited by the Council of Accreditation, nationally recognized for its high quality program.
The Whitemarsh and Cynwyd Centers are awarded accreditation by NAA.
MELC CELEBRATES 50 YEARS OF PROVIDING HIGH QUALITY CHILDCARE TO THE MONTGOMERY AND PHILADELPHIA COUNTIES.
2009 2008
All MELC Centers/Programs achieve at least STAR 2 designation from PA with many at STAR 3, STAR 4 and STAR 4A.
2011
On its 25th Anniversary, Southeastern PA School Age Child Care (SEPASACC) is rebranded as Professional Development Dimensions to better represent their work to provide professional development and quality improvement technical assistance to the education community.
PD DIMENSIONS 2014 ACCOMPLISHMENTS • Hosted the 2nd Annual Social Emotional Conference in January and 2nd Annual STEAM Conference in May. • Provided over 2,250 professional development and quality improvement technical assistance hours to the region.
JUNE 30, 2014
Ann O’Brien is appointed as the new CEO. Introduced The Creative Curriculum, a forward thinking research proven learning resource for Infant, Toddler and Pre-School programs.
Operating Revenue and Expenses Fiscal Year July 1, 2013 – June 30, 2014 PUBLIC FUNDING Child Care Subsidy Child Care Food Program Head Start/Early Head Start PA Pre-K Counts Keystone STARS
TUITION AND FEES
$6,445,836
$2,090,912 $147,709 $568,057 $428,180 $142,538
CONTRIBUTIONS Grants $5,679 Scholarship - EITC $40,950 Individual Donors $26,741 Investments $80,877 Tom Harwood Memorial Fund $2,085 Corporate Giving/Sponsorship $23,430 United Way of Southeastern PA and Southern NJ $429,659
TUITION AND FEES
2014
Early Childhood and School Age Tuition and Fees $5,961,455 PD Dimensions Fees $94,663 Professional Development/Technical Assistance Contract $372,825 Other Sources $16,893
TOTAL REVENUE
$10,432,652
TOTAL REVENUE
$10,432,652
OPERATING EXPENSES
PUBLIC FUNDING
$3,377,395 CONTRIBUTIONS
$609,421
Personnel Costs Operating Supplies/Equipment Professional Fees/Consultants Occupancy Program Enhancements Training/Development Food Other Expenses
$7,354,226 $448,942 $118,383 $1,274,492 $118,646 $72,216 $375,446 $628,325
TOTAL EXPENSES
$10,390,677
BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2013-2014 PRESIDENT | John Ungar — Ogontz Avenue Revitalization Corporation VICE PRESIDENT | Edward Trainor — Deloitte Financial Advisory Services, LLP SECRETARY | Rebecca Rosenberger Smolen, Esq. — Bala Law Group, LLC TREASURER | Jeffrey Leber — Rubicon Wealth Management, LLC Stephanie Lim Capello — Girls Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania Jeanie Kim Carpenter — Inspira Health Network Carrie Collins — University of the Sciences Surge Ghosh — QVC, Inc. Peter Grollman — Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Nancy Lucas — LR Consulting, LLC Danielle Py-Salas — The Salas Team, Keller Williams Realty
MESSAGE FROM THE CEO As I reflect on my first year at MELC, I am amazed and inspired by all of the passionate people that make up our community. From our families and teachers to our community partners and board members, it is evident that we are all committed to ensuring that all children have access to the highest quality educational environments. I look forward to the year ahead as we continue our work to achieve this unified vision.
Ann O’Brien | CEO
Montgomery Early Learning Centers
MELC MISSION STATEMENT To develop, provide, and advocate for high quality early childhood education, school age programs and related services in support of all children.
201 Sabine Avenue Narberth, PA 19072 610.617.4550 WWW.MELC.ORG