Tacoma Day Care & Preschool Association

The year 2024 was still an unpredictable wild ride for Tacoma Day. The new normal is settling in. Tacoma Day enrollment was a little diffferent. Families seemed to be struggling more than usual. We see a trend of families leaving Tacoma area and moving to be closer to relatives. While we were fully enrolled for the most part, we were still looking at turnover. Staff engaged in on-site training focused on inclusion. The focus on delivering program to all the children. Our new protocols that changed the way we do business are now simply how we do business.* Staff are more observant about symptoms of illness, encouraging parents to keep children home to recover. COVID is still with us as well as some variants like RSV. It seems to take longer to recover.* Parents are taking the time for wellness. Parents form play groups, meeting at local park after work and on weekends.* A more stringent routine of cleaning spaces and endless hand washing remains.* Tacoma Day is also actively engaged in the process of renewing Early Achievers, the state quality standard program.For Tacoma Day it is business as usual before and after school care ECEAP combined with our early learning program in both our preschool programs. Some of our families are choosing transitional kindergarten through the school district. TK children are gone from from 9 to 3 so offering spots is difficult unless than can "share a spot".Some data for 2024 at Tacoma Day:* 96 children full time* 7 children identified special needs with IEPs going to school district programs. Staff even attend some of the IEP meetings with parents to ensure continuity between programs. We had to hire an additional staff person to give additional one-on-one in the classroom.* Additionally, staff conference with parents helping them get services for their children connecting them with Child Find to develop IEPs, and other community resources.* Our population is also showing signs of change. We are shifting back to an almost 50% ratio of Working Connection families. We are also noting more families struggling with housing, substance abuse.Our successess:* Our children grow up in a safe healthy learning environment sharing time and adventures with friends. Social emotional growth, so important, is our top priority. The number one item on the list for succeess in life.* Our outstanding food program is available to all. Nutrition, an essential ingredient to strong healthy lifestyle continues. Our school age children check the menu daily. They know when they return from school, they have a hot lunch/snack waiting for them.* Everyday stress impacts our families more than ever. Parents have the normalcy they need for their children in our program.A great big Thank You to:* The staff of Tacoma Day for their strength and courage* The Board of Trustees for their support and encouragement* Our auditor who helped Tacoma Day navigate financial waters answering endless questions about new financial normal.* Our children whose eternal optimism, silly jokes and unending laughter keep everything in perpective.