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Martha & Mary KIDS Directory
Martha & Mary • 30 Years - Putting Kids First
It Takes a Community – Partnerships That Put Kids First
Infants through Preschool Serving age 4 weeks to 5 years 250 NE Sunset Street Poulsbo, WA 98370 Tel: 360-394-4093 Email: Eanderson@mmhc.org
Whether it’s working with local libraries, parks, and businesses to create engaging community experiences for kids, or partnering with public schools, employers and regional community leaders for stronger education and family resources, Martha & Mary gets involved. At the Martha & Mary KIDS 30th birthday celebration, Poulsbo city council member Connie Lord presented a special proclamation from Mayor Becky Erickson. “For thirty years Martha & Mary KIDS has embraced best practices in early learning education, establishing itself as a leader in our community to meet the modern day needs and challenges that children and families face,” shared Connie. “Local schools and hundreds of families have benefited from Martha & Mary KIDS’ commitment to putting thousands of kids first by way of the nurturing, care, and the resources they have invested.” Partnerships with regional schools are essential, because Martha & Mary KIDS students move into them. Martha & Mary KIDS Club before and after school are a vital resource, too. Patty Page is Superintendent of North Kitsap School District, where Martha & Mary’s KIDS Club programs serve over 160 children ages 5 to 12 at district elementary schools, including Pearson and Vinland in Poulsbo, Suquamish Elementary, and Gordon and Wolfle in Kingston. “We have so many busy families with parents working or engaged in other life responsibilities. Having a viable before and after school program that’s more than just day care is essential,” says Superintendent Page. “M & M KIDS Clubs engage students in fun and in learning activities, which promote their cognitive and emotional growth. Parents have confidence that we
Children’s Learning Center
Why Putting Kids First is Everyone’s Business
www.marthaandmary.org/KIDS Martha & Mary KIDS cares for over 350 children a day, and more than 1,400 a year in its child care, early learning, before & after school, and summer camp programs - at 11 locations in North and Central Kitsap County. Please contact us for the program that’s right for you!
Early Learning Center Infants through Preschool, Junior Kindergarten, Kindergarten, Before & After School Care for Silverdale Elementary Serving ages 4 weeks to 12 years 3513 Anderson Hill Road Silverdale, WA 98383 Tel: 360-626-2131 Email: Reicher@mmhc.org
Child Care Center
Preschool & Kindergarten Serving ages 3 to 8 years 19282 Front Street Poulsbo, WA 98370 Tel: 360-394-4085 Email: Akirk@mmhc.org
M & M KIDS Club Before & After School Program Elementary schools in North Kitsap & Central Kitsap, including: Clear Creek Elementary & Cougar Valley Elementary in Silverdale; Pearson Elementary, Poulsbo Elementary, & Vinland Elementary in Poulsbo; Suquamish Elementary; Gordon Elementary & Wolfle Elementary in Kingston. Full Day Kindergarten to 6th Grade Serving ages 5 to 12 Tel: 360-394-4089 Email: TMcCutcheon@mmhc.org
M & M KIDS Camp Summer Program Poulsbo & Silverdale Elementary Schools Kindergarten to 6th Grade Serving ages 5 to 12 Tel: 360-394-4089 Email: TMcCutcheon@mmhc.org
Poulsbo City Council member Connie Lord presented a Mayor’s Proclamation to M&M KIDS Tammi Palodichuck and Martha & Mary CEO Chad Solvie.
have a safe, nurturing environment, and our educators trust Martha & Mary’s staff as true collaborators in a shared mission to nurture happy, healthy, vibrant kids.” “Martha & Mary is a valued partner in our high schools, too,” notes Page. “We have dozens of teens who volunteer in their senior living, health care and children’s programs. The intergenerational connection and the mentoring these youth gain by volunteering really enhances their life and work experience, and promotes their development into caring, compassionate adults.” The Economic Impact of Quality Child Care John Powers is the Executive Director of the Kitsap Economic Development Alliance (KEDA), a non-profit consortium whose mission is to promote economic vitality in the region. “I view Martha & Mary as a vital contributor in the fabric of our economy, as well to the health and well-being of our families and our communities,” says Powers. “Martha & Mary is not only a very
Bette Hyde is Director of Department of Early Learning (DEL) for the State of Washington, and she currently serves on the state Quality Education Council and the Higher Education Steering Committee. Her focus is on creating one statewide early learning system that prepares all Washington children for school and life.
Q: With your many years in education, what have you learned about the essentials of successful early learning for children? A: Virtually every skill set begins developing in the first year of life, so parents need to interact with their infant from the very beginning, not waiting until age three or five to begin their child’s education. Every interaction is a teaching moment that nurtures or detracts. Look at the child, pay attention them, and have fun interacting! They will respond. Q: How can parents trust that caregivers in a child care center are going to provide the interaction and care that their child needs? A: It is a very important decision. Don’t simply choose the program or center that’s least expensive or closest. A center should be licensed and in good standing, and parents can visit www.childcareaware.org for this data. And a center’s positive reputation should precede your visit, so ask other parents, neighbors, or employers. Choosing a center like Martha & Mary that is participating in a state-wide quality program like Early Achievers is an excellent idea, as it demonstrates that they are striving to be the best that they can be. Finally, spend time there. Talk to the director, observe the warmth of the staff and the surroundings. And check in with your child. After a brief period of adjustment, they will tell or show you that they are happy there. Q. What is Early Achievers all about? A: Early Achievers is about enhancing the quality
large and important employer with over 650 people on staff, their impact is truly region-wide, based on who they serve, whether it’s young, working parents in Port Orchard who need quality child care, or seniors in Kingston seeking health services in a residential setting or at home. Reliable care services for our children and our seniors allow members of the workforce to perform optimally, so our employers and business owners rely on Martha & Mary, too. “While the organization is traditional in their core values and not-for-profit mission,” observes Powers. “I see them as true innovators in the social service model they have developed. It’s one that serves a very large spectrum to meet present needs, and it looks to the future, as they partner on exciting new projects such as progressive models for affordable senior housing and assisted living.”
“For any family who needs it, including our military families, Martha & Mary KIDS Club before and after school programs are invaluable for a number of important reasons. I have observed that the quality of the program is very high: what the kids are engaged in models what they’re learning in school, including good citizenship. The child’s transition from school to child care is seamless. I also really appreciate the leadership of Martha & Mary. They are consistently attentive to parents, children, and fellow educators; highly organized; genuine in their caring; and in following through on details so we can all do our jobs better. It’s a valuable partnership for everyone.” -Chris Visserman, Principal of Cougar Valley Elementary School in Bremerton.
“Martha & Mary provides exactly the kind of learning program our state and families need. It’s committed to serving all children, having them learn in a mixed, engaged community, and with well-trained educators and caregivers. We are all life-long learners, and so are the staff at Martha & Mary.” of programs in child care and preschools in our state. Two years ago, our state was blessed by winning a federal Race the Top Early Learning grant which gives us $60 million to invest in scholarships, coaching and tuition to early learning educators so they can obtain the best possible certifications, training, and learning materials. We want care providers to take advantage of this remarkable program so we can do even better by our kids. Q. Why is teacher training and development so important? A: It’s well documented that the quality of the teacher or caregiver is the single most important determining factor in determining successful kindergarten readiness and life-long learning. And every dollar invested in pre-kindergarten saves taxpayers up to $7 in the reduction of remedial and special education, welfare expense, and criminal justice services. A good beginning for kids has far-reaching impact. Q. What else can we do to “put kids first” in our communities? A: Get engaged! Children need to know that somebody cares about them, whether it’s a neighbor, the bus driver, or a friendly grocery store clerk. A caring community helps kids feel connected, safe, and loved. Martha & Mary’s intergenerational and volunteer programs are a great example. Reach out with a smile, volunteer at a museum, or read to kids at a local library or school. Everyone can do a little bit and it makes a huge difference to all involved, building better relationships and communities, too. For more information, visit www.del.wa.gov It’s there for everyone interested in building brighter futures for kids. Parents who may need funding assistance for child care can go to the Working Connection Child Care resources page. Every child deserves a healthy start!