FRIENDS OF ST FRANCIS CHILDCARE CENTER INCORPORATED
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Mission Statement
Friends of St. Francis Childcare Center is a 36 year old private non profit, non sectarian preschool serving 38 children ages two to five from all socio-economic and cultural backgrounds. It is based in the Duboce Triangle neighborhood of San Francisco and serves families from all parts of the city.
About This Cause
PROGRAMS MISSION Friends of St. Francis Childcare Center, a community-based non-profit, endeavors to enrich San Francisco and the world by providing best practice childcare services to culturally and economically diverse families while serving parents through an enduring community of staff, peer, parent, and professional support. GEOGRAPHY AND POPULATION SERVED Children who are enrolled in Friends of St. Francis come from all of San Francisco's neighborhoods. A study conducted by the San Francisco Childcare Planning and Advisory Council demonstrated that more neighborhoods of origin are served at this center than most other centers in the city as a result of the excellent transportation routes that public transportation provides at the intersection of Church and Market Street, a block from the Center. Thirty-eight percent of our families have incomes below the poverty level. Approximately thirty percent more have mid range incomes, while about twenty-two percent have incomes over a hundred and twenty thousand a year. Ten of our thirty-eight families have a language other than English as their first language. Our families are 22% Spanish/Latino, 3% Arabic, 14% Asian, 22% African American and 30% Caucasian. The remaining 9% identify as multiracial. The programs at Friends of St. Francis can be categorized in the following areas: Nutrition: We provide two snacks, hot lunch and breakfast each day using USDA guidelines for portion size and nutritional components. We serve meals that are brought in, and also have a garden that the children and parents tend which provides additional learning and eating opportunities. We have Food Service staff person who oversees food handling and proper care of the kitchen. Early Education: Children are grouped developmentally with primary teacher / caregivers who provide developmentally appropriate early learning opportunities that aim to develop their curiosity, love of learning and self esteem as well as respect for their own and other cultures. We have a toddler program and a preschool program. Early literacy, math, music, art, science, language and dramatic play are woven through the daily indoor and outdoor schedule. Teacher training and professional development are essential to our program. This year the full staff is involved in The Teaching Pyramid funded by our San Francisco PreSchool For All grant. Our PreK program focuses on assisting children in the transition to kindergarten, and laying the groundwork for children to be enthusiastic readers and students in elementary school. Our work includes offering the Raising A Reader program to all children enrolled. Through this program books go home in a red bag on a weekly basis and are returned the following week so another round can go home to each child. Intervention and Health: We conduct numerous assessments routinely and as needed to assure that the children receive extra support when developmental needs,trauma or family crisis affect their lives and ability to learn or socialize appropriately. We have an occupational therapist visiting for screening and follow up, a mental health consultant who assists parent and staff in understanding behavior and addressing emotional needs of children and parents, and gives strategies to teachers who need extra support. We conduct dental, vision, hearing and speech assessments annually. Family Support: Nationally recognized Family Support Principles are adopted by staff and board members and are integrated throughout our operation. We therefore make every effort to have parents participate in classroom activities, maintenance, gardening, field trips and family event planning as well as board of director's representation. Parents plan seminars and cultural events year round to create a place for families to come together as a community of learners and to share parenting and other experiences. Parent input is sought at every level.