Jennifer Coghlin, President of the Dorchester Co-op Nursery School ...

Presentation to the Councilof the Municipality ofThames CentreMonday, December 17, 2012

Dorchester Co-op Nursery SchoolPresentation to the Council of the Municipality of Thames CentreWho we are...The Dorchester Co-op Nursery School (DCNS) is one of two Licensed NurserySchools in Dorchester. We are licensed by the Ministry of Education and complywith the Day Nurseries Act.We are a co-operative nursery school, which means we require parentalparticipation in our daily operations.We are the only Not-for-Profit Nursery School in Dorchester.We are the only Non-Denominational Nursery School in Dorchester.We are the only Nursery School Program that runs 5 days per week.Children can attend 1 day/week or up to 5 days per week.We follow the Elementary School Calendar (with no closures on PD Days).The DCNS first opened in the mid-1970’s with official incorporation in 1992.We have provided our services to hundreds of families over the years, currentlyserving 32 families.Adults who attended the DCNS are now sending their children to the DCNS.Since 2006, we have grown from 6 children to 16 children per day (maximumenrollment as per Ministry of Education regulations), with a waiting list.Staff increased from one Early Childhood Educator, to a staff of two with thehiring of a Teaching Assistant in 2008.2012-2013 DCNS ExecutivePresidentVice PresidentPast PresidentTreasurerClass RepresentativeTeachers RepresentativeFundraising RepresentativeHousekeeping RepresentativesFriday Take-down RepresentativeTeacher/RegistrarTeacher/ECEJennifer CoghlinAndrea BradyJessica ThomasChristine HutchinsonNicole JacquesTrish GordonJennifer CadmanJennie RiceDenise CowdreyChrissy PetittJennifer NuyensCarissa McNeillP.O. Box 48, Dorchester, ON N0L 1G3 519-­‐268-­‐8138 dcnurseryschool@hotmail.com www.dcnurseryschool.ca 2

Dorchester Co-op Nursery SchoolPresentation to the Council of the Municipality of Thames CentreWhat we do...Each day our teachers guide the children through a structured curriculum whichincludes:Morning ArrivalGood Morning Greeting SongCalendar and Weather ChartExplanation of Weekly Theme and Craft of the DayFree Play/Craft TimeWashroom Routine/Clean-upCircle TimeTheme Related Story and SongsMusic and MovementSnack TimeTeacher Directed ABC & 123 Activity WorksheetsGross Motor PlayOutside Play YardWalksIndoor Bike TimeGoodbye CircleShow and ShareThe DCNS also offers a number of field trips and special activities to the childreneach year, which usually includes:Apple LandDorchester Fair ParadeHalloween Dress-up PartyMonthly Skating at the ArenaChristmas Concert with a Special VisitorDisney on Ice at Budweiser GardensEaster Pyjama Egg HuntCommunity Helper Month with Guest VisitorsVisit to the Fire StationVisit to the Post OfficeBike RodeoClass Picture DayGraduation CeremonyP.O. Box 48, Dorchester, ON N0L 1G3 519-­‐268-­‐8138 dcnurseryschool@hotmail.com www.dcnurseryschool.ca 3

Dorchester Co-op Nursery SchoolPresentation to the Council of the Municipality of Thames CentreHow we are different...We are aware of the various other programs available for children in ThamesCentre. Our intention is not to threaten or compete with any of these existing“child activity” programs.We differ from these existing “child activity” programs in the following ways:• We do not operate during the summer (July/August) months• We currently only offer our program to children age 2.5 to age 5Please note, that if program expansion becomes a possibility, we will onlyconsider expanding to include younger children.Our proposal...We need to relocate. We are asking that Council consider the following to allowthe DCNS to continue operations in the fall of 2013:1. Endorse the DCNS moving into the former office and dressing room spacein the Dorchester Arena and Community Centre2. Enter into a long term lease arrangement with the DCNS, to begin no laterthan July 2013, pending lease rates affordable to the viability of the DCNS3. Direct the Thames Centre Administration and Community Services &Development Department to work with the DCNS Executive to finalize arenovation plan to begin in January 20134. Support the DCNS financially in preparations for the new space (seeProposed Funding Arrangement)P.O. Box 48, Dorchester, ON N0L 1G3 519-­‐268-­‐8138 dcnurseryschool@hotmail.com www.dcnurseryschool.ca 5

Dorchester Co-op Nursery SchoolPresentation to the Council of the Municipality of Thames CentreFuture Considerations...If we were able to secure a new location, we would anticipate someenhancements partnerships that could include:• Class size growth from 16 to 24 children• Inclusion of younger ages• Employment of additional teacher/staff• Access and promotion of Thames Centre Recreation facilities• Partnership/Activities with the Senior Centre• Space sharing with Jean Davis’ summer Playground program• Partnership with River Heights Public School• Multi-use room for additional activitiesWe believe that the available space in the arena would be ideal for the DCNS inour efforts to offer a safe, clean environment, and could lead to many programimprovements.We would ask that you seriously consider supporting the DCNS in ourrelocation efforts and help to ensure that this valuable service is continuedin our community.P.O. Box 48, Dorchester, ON N0L 1G3 519-­‐268-­‐8138 dcnurseryschool@hotmail.com www.dcnurseryschool.ca 6

Dorchester Co-op Nursery SchoolPresentation to the Council of the Municipality of Thames CentreFunding ArrangementsWe have been given a rough estimate for renovations to be $70,000 to $100,000.Using the high figure ($100,000), we propose the following:Initial Contribution by the DCNS (January 2013) $ 25,000Contribution by The Municipality of Thames Centre $ 50,0002013-2014 Contribution by the DCNS $ 5,0002014-2015 Contribution by the DCNS $ 5,0002015-2016 Contribution by the DCNS $ 5,0002016-2017 Contribution by the DCNS $ 5,0002017-2018 Contribution by the DCNS $ 5,000TOTAL $100,000*DCNS Contributions are in addition to monthly lease payments**The Municipality of Thames Centre to match the total amount contributedby the DCNS (i.e. if renovations are less than $100,000, the DCNS andThames Centre will each contribute 50% of the total cost)P.O. Box 48, Dorchester, ON N0L 1G3 519-­‐268-­‐8138 dcnurseryschool@hotmail.com www.dcnurseryschool.ca 7