PRECA 10-07-1981 - Laserfiche WebLink

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,~'" '. CITY -0F NEW BRIGHTON REQUEST FOR COUNCIL CONSIDERATION Agenda .Section: Report Number: 81-197 ITEM DESCRIPTION: PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT DAY CARE PROGRAM DEPT. HEAD'S .APPROVAL: NA MANAGER'S REVIEW/RECOMMENDATION:. EXPLANATION/S[JMMARY (attach supplemental sheets as necessary); The New Brighton League of Women Voters completed a study of child care needs in the area in .1979-80(see attached summary). The League then approached the Mounds View School District to see if the District was will ing to undertake the project through the Community Education Department. The request was not turned down but tabled indefinitely which has much the same effect. The request was never officially turned down so no reasons for their .lack of interest were given. The League members interested in this project formed a parent group and then requested assistance from the Parks and Recreation Department to help organize and run a summer day care program at Pike Lake school. The program was organized and supervised primarily by the parent group members. The School District provided the facility and the Parks and Recreation Deparement acted as the fiscal agent. The summer program provided day care for approximately twenty children and was entirely fee supported. The program received generally good reaction from partici pants and parents, although the three way split in responsibility did cause some administrative problem. The parent group has again requested that the Department provide similar assistance for a school year day care program until a permanent sponsor for the program could be found. It is apparent that the school district is willing to provide facilities at no cost but is unwilling to assume responsbility for directing the program. The parent group can provide support for the program but would find it nearly impossible to administer it. If this program is going to succeed it appears that the Parks and Recreation Department will have to sponsor it. The program is designed to be self-supporting to a greater extent than is typical of most of the Department's recreation programs. The fees for this program will- cover the cost of a part-time administrator for the program in addition to the normal materials and supervision coverage. This program is modeled after a highly successful program that has been operating in Roseville for approximately four years. Recommendation (CONTINUED...) To permit staff to initiate a self -supporting day care program. -~, ~'~j Maurice H. Anderson Director, Parks and Recreation