Chat Transcripts
Topic
Chat Session 1
Date
2025-10-20
Group ID
0Course ID
301536| User | Timestamp | Message |
|---|---|---|
| Johnson, Zina | 06:49:31 pm | Hello |
| {Foster-Jorgensen, Karen} | 06:49:54 pm | Good evening everyone! Hi Zina! |
| Snabb, Jackie | 06:52:04 pm | Hey!! |
| Johnson, Zina | 06:52:40 pm | Hi Karen |
| {Foster-Jorgensen, Karen} | 06:52:49 pm | Hi Jackie! |
| Johnson, Zina | 06:52:52 pm | Hi Jackie |
| {Foster-Jorgensen, Karen} | 06:53:16 pm | Welcome, I'm glad to meet you for Community Engagement!! |
| Hernandez Alcoser, Cinthia | 06:53:27 pm | Hello! |
| {Foster-Jorgensen, Karen} | 06:53:38 pm | Hi Cinthia! |
| Snabb, Jackie | 06:54:04 pm | Hello Everyone! 🙂 |
| Johnson, Zina | 06:54:31 pm | Hi Cinthia |
| {Foster-Jorgensen, Karen} | 06:54:35 pm | Is it feeling like fall today in your part of MN? |
| Johnson, Zina | 06:54:56 pm | Yes |
| Gantt, Tricia | 06:55:06 pm | Hey everyone! Happy Monday! Very much fall like in Lakeville! |
| {Foster-Jorgensen, Karen} | 06:55:25 pm | Weather can vary alot from south to north or east to west sometimes! |
| {Foster-Jorgensen, Karen} | 06:55:36 pm | Hi Tricia! |
| Gantt, Tricia | 06:56:01 pm | How is the weather for you? |
| {Foster-Jorgensen, Karen} | 06:56:26 pm | My hometown is in southern MN but I have lived in the Twin Cities more. |
| Snabb, Jackie | 06:56:31 pm | Yes, I gave in and turned the heat on this afternoon, how about where you are? |
| Johnson, Zina | 06:56:48 pm | Mine is on |
| {Foster-Jorgensen, Karen} | 06:57:06 pm | Well, my hometown was Albert Lea, but now we live on the coast in Nova Scotia! A nice fall here! |
| Snabb, Jackie | 06:57:55 pm | I envy you, it's beautiful there! |
| {Foster-Jorgensen, Karen} | 06:58:36 pm | Welcome to Community Enagement everyone! We still have a couple minutes until 7:00. You have had a few classes together so are probably getting to know each other. We will start with intros in just a minute! |
| Sadiki, Nazliya | 06:58:43 pm | hello |
| Sadiki, Nazliya | 06:59:07 pm | * |
| {Foster-Jorgensen, Karen} | 06:59:13 pm | Jackie - it is lovely here! Not too hot in sumemr or too cold in winter! |
| {Foster-Jorgensen, Karen} | 06:59:24 pm | Hi Nazliya! |
| DeVaughn, Heather | 06:59:30 pm | Hello! |
| Staudt, Sara | 06:59:35 pm | Hi! |
| Sadiki, Nazliya | 06:59:34 pm | Hello |
| Snabb, Jackie | 06:59:39 pm | You are one lucky lady! |
| Johnson, Zina | 07:00:01 pm | Hi Nazliya |
| {Foster-Jorgensen, Karen} | 07:00:02 pm | Hi Heather and Sara! |
| Gantt, Tricia | 07:00:04 pm | I actually just had to look up NS! |
| Sadiki, Nazliya | 07:00:12 pm | Hi zina |
| Gantt, Tricia | 07:00:18 pm | WOW!! Beautiful!. |
| {Foster-Jorgensen, Karen} | 07:00:24 pm | Shall we get started? * |
| Sadiki, Nazliya | 07:00:28 pm | * |
| Hernandez Alcoser, Cinthia | 07:00:29 pm | * |
| Snabb, Jackie | 07:00:30 pm | * |
| Gantt, Tricia | 07:00:31 pm | * |
| DeVaughn, Heather | 07:00:31 pm | * |
| Staudt, Sara | 07:00:35 pm | * |
| Villa, Johanna | 07:00:38 pm | * |
| Swafford, Andria | 07:00:44 pm | * |
| {Foster-Jorgensen, Karen} | 07:01:24 pm | Let's start with Introductions. Please share where you work, what part of MN that is, what your role is there and something you really like about your role in your organization! |
| Gantt, Tricia | 07:02:24 pm | Tricia Gantt - I am currently a AD for a YMCA Early Childhood Learning Center in Southern MN (Lakeville)! I absolutely love the ability the Y has to give back to the community and provided resources to families in need! |
| Sadiki, Nazliya | 07:02:27 pm | My name is Nazliya Sadiki, and I am the Owner and Director of Little Bees Child Care Center located in Spring Lake Park, Minnesota. We serve children from infancy through school age, providing a nurturing and engaging environment that supports each child’s growth and development. One thing I truly love about my role is being able to create a positive learning environment for both children and staff. I enjoy mentoring teachers, building strong family partnerships, and watching children reach their developmental milestones every day. It’s incredibly rewarding to know that the work we do makes a lasting difference in children’s lives and supports families in our community. I’m excited to be part of this course and to continue growing as a leader in early childhood education! |
| Villa, Johanna | 07:02:30 pm | Johanna here! I am director at Seward Child Care Center in Minneapolis. We are a cooperatively run child care center. |
| {Foster-Jorgensen, Karen} | 07:02:31 pm | I am an author, consultant, trainer, former non-profit director and owner of my own two childcare centers. I love organizations and working with directors for your success is my passion! |
| Johnson, Zina | 07:02:35 pm | My Name is Zina Johnson, I am the Director for Mary T Wellcome Child Development Center in North Mpls. |
| Gantt, Tricia | 07:03:04 pm | Karen - that is impressive - I can just dream through you! |
| Gantt, Tricia | 07:03:20 pm | Johanna - I would still love to get out and check out your co op! |
| Hernandez Alcoser, Cinthia | 07:03:21 pm | I work at Mis Amigos Spanish Immersion in Excelsior, MN, and I’m the Site Director there. I really enjoy my role because I get to support both teachers and families while helping create a warm, engaging environment where children can grow and learn through language and culture. |
| DeVaughn, Heather | 07:03:24 pm | I am the owner of Dandelion Wishes Daycare in Woodbury Mn. It is a group licensed home w one other fully licensed provider and 2 occasional/subs |
| Staudt, Sara | 07:03:30 pm | I work at Jeremiah Program in Minneapolis (near downtown). I am the child development center director there. I love the 2-generation mission we have of serving single mothers and their children while the mothers pursue a college degree. Our philosophy is that a mom should not have to choose between investing in her own and her child's education. |
| Swafford, Andria | 07:04:09 pm | I am a director at The Children's House at Minnesota State University, Mankato which is in southern MN. I love getting to see the kids grow and learn every day, and being able to support our amazing staff as they do what they love. |
| {Foster-Jorgensen, Karen} | 07:04:10 pm | I have been to many of your programs when I lived in MN! And Tricia - I was executive director of several YMCA's. started out in St. Paul! |
| Gantt, Tricia | 07:04:26 pm | Sara - I would also love to check out your site! I have a classmate in one of my MCTC ECED classes right now that works there! |
| Snabb, Jackie | 07:04:35 pm | I live and work in Litchfield, MN which is west central MN. I work at Stay n Play Childcare Centers, as we have a second site 30 minutes to the west in Willmar as well. I am the director after years of teaching Kinddergarten Prep. I love that I get to choose the mood of the building every morning by being happy |
| Gantt, Tricia | 07:04:44 pm | Karen - no way! Maybe that is why your name sounded extra familiar as well! |
| {Foster-Jorgensen, Karen} | 07:06:08 pm | So many exciting organizations and roles you have! This will be fun! Just a side note that I was the originator of the Director Credential, wrote all the first sets of classes and coordinated 30 cohorts. I just share that so you will know how much I love director success!! |
| Staudt, Sara | 07:06:43 pm | Tricia - we'd love to have you visit sometime! We are right by MCTC, so let me know if you're ever in the neighborhood! |
| DeVaughn, Heather | 07:06:44 pm | that's amazing, Karen! I look forward to learning from/with you |
| Johnson, Zina | 07:07:13 pm | Looking forward to learning more information |
| Hernandez Alcoser, Cinthia | 07:07:17 pm | wow Karen!!! |
| Snabb, Jackie | 07:07:20 pm | well then I look forward to learning from you Karen! |
| Gantt, Tricia | 07:07:33 pm | Thanks, Sara! 🙂 |
| {Foster-Jorgensen, Karen} | 07:07:52 pm | So, thank for sharing! We are all about Community Engagement! While this may not be the first skill or area that we think of with director roles, it is hugely important to success! |
| Sadiki, Nazliya | 07:08:53 pm | Karen Thank you so much for sharing that — it’s truly inspiring to know we’re learning from the person who created the Director Credential program! I’ve already learned so much through this process, and it’s been helping me grow both as a leader and as a childcare center director. I’m really looking forward to learning even more from your experience and guidance! |
| {Foster-Jorgensen, Karen} | 07:09:13 pm | There are standards for Community Engagement now with NAEYC and Childcare Aware. Long before the standards, we started talking about ways we engage. Why do you see Community Engagement as being important to early childhood organizations? |
| DeVaughn, Heather | 07:10:05 pm | It can help with marketing efforts by making parents, grandparents and others more aware of your program and what it might have to offer. It also helps you to learn more about the culture in which you are doing business, and helps you to be aware of needs so that you can adjust your program accordingly. |
| Gantt, Tricia | 07:10:15 pm | When we’re truly involved in the community, our program becomes stronger and more responsive. Families see that we’re not just a childcare center, we’re part of a larger network that cares about their well-being. Community engagement helps us find new supports for families, new learning opportunities for children, and professional connections that make our program more dynamic and informed. |
| Sadiki, Nazliya | 07:10:33 pm | I think community engagement is such an important part of early childhood education. When centers connect with local schools, libraries, and community programs, it really helps families feel supported and builds a sense of belonging. It’s not just about caring for children—it’s about being part of a larger network that helps everyone grow together. |
| Butler-Robinson, Lafayette | 07:10:53 pm | hello. My name is Lafayette Butler-Robinson. I'm a daycare consultant, trainer, director and everything in between. My center is located in Brooklyn Park where I am the director. |
| Johnson, Zina | 07:11:03 pm | When programs engage with the community, children are exposed to real-world experiences that enhance what they learn in the classroom. Visits from community helpers (like firefighters or librarians) and field trips to local businesses, farms, or museums make learning more meaningful and relevant . |
| Villa, Johanna | 07:11:25 pm | Community engagement is the first step in showing the greater community the service you provide, it helps show others the assets your business is to your neighborhood. When community members build a relationship with your center, that builds buy in to support your business in the future (through donations, attending events, posting your flyers etc). |
| Hernandez Alcoser, Cinthia | 07:11:36 pm | it builds strong connections between families, educators, and the community. It helps children feel a sense of belonging, gives families support, and allows us to work together to help children grow and learn beyond the classroom. |
| Staudt, Sara | 07:11:40 pm | Being involved with the community can help us ensure that we are embedded in it - we are meeting new families (boosting enrollment), exposing children to their community in different ways through walks, visitors, and field trips, and ensuring that we are meeting the community |
| {Foster-Jorgensen, Karen} | 07:11:43 pm | Thanks Lafayette - nice to meet you! |
| Staudt, Sara | 07:12:02 pm | *meeting the communities needs (my finger clicked send before I was ready). |
| Johnson, Zina | 07:12:05 pm | Hi Lafayette |
| Villa, Johanna | 07:12:08 pm | It also opens up new avenues for connecting and leveraging the skillsets of those local to your program and amplifying smaller business. |
| Snabb, Jackie | 07:12:17 pm | Community engagement is important for overall support for the success of the center. It offers customers, positive reviews, opportunities for learning for both staff and children and their families for the childs health, education and well-beibg |
| Butler-Robinson, Lafayette | 07:12:47 pm | Nice to meet you Karen. Hey Zina. |
| {Foster-Jorgensen, Karen} | 07:12:57 pm | Well said, everyone! I don't think I will have to convince you of the importance of engagement! 🙂 |
| {Foster-Jorgensen, Karen} | 07:14:06 pm | Do you see community engagement equally important for non-profit and for-profit early childhood businesses? Is there a difference in the way they engage? |
| Butler-Robinson, Lafayette | 07:14:48 pm | Community engagement is important because it connects families, educators, and local resources t support children's growth. |
| Sadiki, Nazliya | 07:14:56 pm | I think community engagement is equally important for both non-profit and for-profit programs. The difference is mostly in how they do it. Non-profits often focus on partnerships and resources to support families, while for-profit centers (like mine) focus on building trust and visibility in the community. Either way, strong connections help children and families thrive. |
| Hernandez Alcoser, Cinthia | 07:15:12 pm | Yes, community engagement is important for both. Non-profits may focus more on outreach and partnerships, while for-profits might center on building relationships and trust with families. Either way, both aim to support children and strengthen community connections. |
| {Foster-Jorgensen, Karen} | 07:15:21 pm | Good point Nazliya! |
| Gantt, Tricia | 07:15:23 pm | Yes I do! |
| Sadiki, Nazliya | 07:15:24 pm | * |
| {Foster-Jorgensen, Karen} | 07:15:44 pm | Thanks Cinthia! |
| Gantt, Tricia | 07:15:48 pm | I think for profits may have extra money to support community engagement in other ways! |
| Snabb, Jackie | 07:15:48 pm | I think it's equally important to both, but non profits appear to be more engaged, I'm guessing because they really need those dollars vs a private center like ours? |
| DeVaughn, Heather | 07:16:07 pm | Its important for both, but the focus is different as Nazliya said. |
| Staudt, Sara | 07:16:11 pm | I think it is important for both but it is different in how they do it. Non-profits might focus more on partnerships and donor relationships |
| Villa, Johanna | 07:16:14 pm | I have only ever worked for a non profit program so my experience is skewed. I believe they are equally important for both, but the avenues may be different based on the size of the programs and their staff capacity. |
| Johnson, Zina | 07:16:16 pm | Regardless of funding type, community engagement builds trust, reputation, and relationships that directly impact a program’s success. Families today want to know that the centers caring for their children are not just businesses but active partners in the community. • For both types, engagement promotes child and family well-being, supports professional collaboration, and strengthens public understanding of early childhood education’s value. • Both types also benefit from networking with local schools, health providers, libraries, and family resource centers to enhance support systems for children and families. |
| {Foster-Jorgensen, Karen} | 07:16:26 pm | Ah, for-profits may not have extra money, All depends on the business model. And they pay more taxes. |
| Gantt, Tricia | 07:16:40 pm | That is so very true as well! |
| DeVaughn, Heather | 07:16:52 pm | We do not have extra money |
| Butler-Robinson, Lafayette | 07:17:04 pm | Yes, it's important for both. Non profits engage through outreach and community support, while for-profits focus on partnerships and visibility. Both strengthen trust and family connections. |
| Gantt, Tricia | 07:17:10 pm | Hard for me to see outside of my non profit realm I think! |
| Snabb, Jackie | 07:17:12 pm | true |
| Swafford, Andria | 07:17:30 pm | I think community engagement is important no matter what type of early childhood program it is. Non-profits and for-profits might go about it a little differently, but the goal is the same—building strong connections, supporting families, and giving kids experiences that go beyond the classroom. |
| Johnson, Zina | 07:17:33 pm | For-profit early childhood programs, while driven by business sustainability, also recognize that strong community ties build trust, enrollment, and reputation. |
| {Foster-Jorgensen, Karen} | 07:17:47 pm | You all make great points about trust, partnerships, resources etc. Excellent! |
| Gantt, Tricia | 07:17:58 pm | I also feel like childcare is so expensive for us all to be in this same boat of feeling like we are always just getting by or needing to re work budgets! |
| Snabb, Jackie | 07:18:28 pm | Very true Tricia |
| Johnson, Zina | 07:18:43 pm | True |
| Hernandez Alcoser, Cinthia | 07:18:55 pm | good point Zina. |
| Butler-Robinson, Lafayette | 07:19:14 pm | For-profit depends on enrollment to make the wheels go round in short |
| {Foster-Jorgensen, Karen} | 07:19:32 pm | Financial sustainability is an issue for almost all early childhood businesses! So how do you think engaging with one's community contributes to being sustainable? |
| Snabb, Jackie | 07:19:50 pm | Yes, we must always be full Lafayette |
| Staudt, Sara | 07:20:02 pm | As a non-profit, we can (more easily) access grants and private donors in the event that our income isn't balancing our expenses, so ensuring that we have strong partnerships . I expect that for-profit programs, especially small ones, might have a really tough balancing act to |
| DeVaughn, Heather | 07:20:17 pm | it gives you visibility and can make you "top of mind" when someone has childcare needs |
| {Foster-Jorgensen, Karen} | 07:20:24 pm | Pretty much all childcare programs need to be pretty much full to really thrive! Do you agree? |
| Johnson, Zina | 07:20:35 pm | Families are more likely to choose and stay with a program that feels connected to their community. When centers partner with schools, libraries, churches, and local organizations, their visibility increases. |
| Sadiki, Nazliya | 07:20:40 pm | think community engagement plays a big role in keeping a program financially strong. When families see you out in the community and feel connected to your center, they’re more likely to enroll and stay. It also helps build partnerships and word-of-mouth referrals, which can make a big difference for sustainability over time. |
| Hernandez Alcoser, Cinthia | 07:20:40 pm | Community engagement supports sustainability by building trust with families, encouraging enrollment, and creating partnerships that provide resources and support. |
| Butler-Robinson, Lafayette | 07:20:42 pm | Knowing the community your center is locating is key to knowing your families that you will be servicing. As I tell my clients, its all about show and tell. |
| Gantt, Tricia | 07:20:50 pm | I think sometimes the community engagement piece can open doors to simply other partnerships and connections - a means to increase your business even if that is not the initial intention! |
| {Foster-Jorgensen, Karen} | 07:20:54 pm | Good point Zina! |
| DeVaughn, Heather | 07:21:14 pm | We are down just 1 full time and 1 part time child and our budget is blown, so yes, we need to be full |
| {Foster-Jorgensen, Karen} | 07:21:28 pm | So true Tricia! |
| Hernandez Alcoser, Cinthia | 07:21:39 pm | yes Tricia |
| Snabb, Jackie | 07:21:45 pm | I have always been at Stay n Play, so learning how all these other directors are running different types of centers is exciting to me |
| Sadiki, Nazliya | 07:21:48 pm | Yes zina |
| {Foster-Jorgensen, Karen} | 07:21:56 pm | Good example Heather! |
| Johnson, Zina | 07:22:11 pm | I feel the same way Jackie. |
| Villa, Johanna | 07:22:12 pm | Families want to join and stay in programs they are familiar with, have heard good things about, or at least see out and about in their community. If makes it feel like a trusted organization to 1) take care of your children and 2) put a signifiant amount of money into. And keeping a full enrollment and healthy waitlist is unforently the number 1 way centers stay open because child care runs on tuition |
| Gantt, Tricia | 07:22:15 pm | Heather - that is so hard! I feel that right now too, I feel like every time we get in the positive for enrollment someone else drops part time or unenrolls! |
| Butler-Robinson, Lafayette | 07:22:18 pm | true facts Zina. And also partnering with other centers in the area especially if they are mom and pop centers (meaning not the corporate centers) |
| Staudt, Sara | 07:22:53 pm | Yes - Tricia and Heather, I am in the same boat. Enrollment feels like a never ending battle right now! |
| {Foster-Jorgensen, Karen} | 07:22:54 pm | One of my specialties is early childhood finance and business models, so I tend to pull that into almost everything because it is so vital to quality, maintaining an engaged staff and being successful all around! |
| DeVaughn, Heather | 07:23:26 pm | Sorry Tricia, its not a club I want to welcome anyone else to, but I think a lot of centers are struggling |
| Villa, Johanna | 07:23:27 pm | I do also think having a consistent presence in your community can act as a good reminder come election/ voting season. If they can see the value your program brings to the community, they may be more supportive of candidates who are also championing child care. |
| {Foster-Jorgensen, Karen} | 07:24:03 pm | So let's pivot a moment and reflect on exactly we engage with in our communities. What types of engagement do you do? |
| Gantt, Tricia | 07:24:34 pm | Our YMCA Learning Center stays connected through a variety of partnerships. We collaborate with local schools for transitions to kindergarten, participate in food and clothing drives, and host family engagement nights open to the broader community. Staff also volunteer at Y events like Healthy Kids Day and community clean-up efforts. It’s really a team effort; everyone finds their own way to give back. |
| Hernandez Alcoser, Cinthia | 07:25:07 pm | At Mis Amigos, we engage with our community in several ways: hosting family events, participating in local cultural celebrations, partnering with other organizations, and keeping open communication with families to involve them in their children’s learning. |
| Snabb, Jackie | 07:25:16 pm | Johanna, we've met with the elected officials several times in the past about families and the cost of childcare, we've written the governor and representatives, nothing ever changes. so sad. |
| Johnson, Zina | 07:25:43 pm | We host events that bring families and the wider community together throughout the year. Examples include Family Day at the Park, Health & Wellness Week, Donuts with Dad, Muffins with Mom, and Family-Style Lunches. These gatherings encourage family bonding, allow parents to network, and give children the joy of seeing their teachers and families connect outside the classroom environment. |
| Swafford, Andria | 07:25:53 pm | Engaging with our community, especially through the university, really helps us stay strong and sustainable. By participating in events like Homecoming, partnering with departments like the Women’s Center, and hosting open houses, we build relationships that keep families connected and engaged with our program. These connections also open doors to resources, ideas, and collaborations that support our teachers and children. When families and staff feel part of a larger community, they’re more likely to stay involved, and that ongoing support helps the program thrive over the long term. |
| {Foster-Jorgensen, Karen} | 07:26:21 pm | Interesting variety of engagements! Many of you have mentioned engaging with families and also other organizations |
| Staudt, Sara | 07:26:27 pm | Our center is part of a larger non-profit that has a variety of partnerships, we collaborate with local schools, do clothing drives, and host family engagement activities. We also have a development and partnerships team who help us build stronger partnerships with other organizations as part of their work. Additionally, our family services team collaborates with us to have our parents help advocate for legislative changes. |
| Gantt, Tricia | 07:26:31 pm | Jackie - I feel that. I recently met with legislators as well .. it's almost like parents are supposed to parent like they do not work and work like they do not have children - it creates this expensive run around! |
| Villa, Johanna | 07:27:17 pm | In the most simplistic way, we are out and about in the community several times a week by going on walks, walking to the park, taking the city bus to the library. families around our neighborhood recognize our classrooms as they are out and about in the neighborhood and mention how positive it is to see them enjoy the public spaces in the neighborhood. In more formal senses, we host parent workships |
| DeVaughn, Heather | 07:27:20 pm | We are a group licensed home daycare with 2 providers, so we really haven’t engaged in our community as representatives of our business outside of our “celebrations” and activities, ie muffins with mom, donuts with dad, All Family Halloween party, Christmas Party/Parents night out. Its just not feasible because we are moms with kids sports etc almost every night. I used to do community engagement in another career and there is so much value in it |
| {Foster-Jorgensen, Karen} | 07:27:25 pm | Being part of a larger organization brings some additional variety to community engagement - you mention the university and YMCA |
| Butler-Robinson, Lafayette | 07:27:30 pm | show and tell - people are always looking at what you look like (inside and outside the building), what you offer (hours, programming and transportation) and how you can help their family. Being able to relate in different parts of their lives helps them to not feel isolate and can offer different resources. |
| Snabb, Jackie | 07:27:40 pm | Yes Tricia! So sad because the young child suffers. |
| {Foster-Jorgensen, Karen} | 07:29:04 pm | There are several really valuable types of engagement that has not been mentioned much yet. Think business community and economic development organizations. How might we engage with them? And for what purposes or benefits? |
| Staudt, Sara | 07:29:12 pm | Tricia - I was just at an exercise class at my gym and 2 of the other women in the class with young kids were talking about this! It is so hard to both work and be a parent to young kids |
| Gantt, Tricia | 07:29:16 pm | Being a part of the Y of the North defiantly brings us lots of connections! I just attended a Y-USA fall leadership conference and that opened community connections in an even bigger way! |
| DeVaughn, Heather | 07:29:38 pm | Like the SBA, Karen? |
| {Foster-Jorgensen, Karen} | 07:30:13 pm | That is a useful one, Heather. Small Business Administration. Have you worked with them? |
| Gantt, Tricia | 07:30:27 pm | I actually have a business simple example - we are partnering with a location organization who is looking to build a nature playground for us - they are covering labor and we are using grants to cover the products but it is going to be a win win for both of us when it comes to advertising! |
| Staudt, Sara | 07:30:30 pm | Business community - we often engage with businesses who do donations, volunteer events, and come volunteer for their day of service. They recently helped spread woodchips for our playground! |
| Hernandez Alcoser, Cinthia | 07:30:34 pm | We can connect with local businesses and economic groups through networking, partnerships, or events. This helps raise awareness, build connections, and find support or resources for our program. |
| Butler-Robinson, Lafayette | 07:30:34 pm | I connect with my friends that have small businesses that might offer resources for my families. |
| Sadiki, Nazliya | 07:30:37 pm | That’s a great point! I think partnering with local businesses and economic development groups can really help centers like ours grow. Getting involved with the chamber of commerce or local business networks helps build connections, get our name out there, and sometimes even learn about grants or community support. It also reminds people that child care plays a big role in helping the whole community work and succeed. |
| DeVaughn, Heather | 07:30:40 pm | Just a little bit in another business that I held briefly |
| {Foster-Jorgensen, Karen} | 07:30:50 pm | Excellent examples!! |
| Gantt, Tricia | 07:31:06 pm | Chambers are awesome! |
| Gantt, Tricia | 07:31:17 pm | They usually host the round tables for us with our legislators! |
| Villa, Johanna | 07:31:41 pm | We connect with local restaurants to do "give back nights/ profit share nights". This is always mutually beneficial- we bring in more business for the restaurant and we get some extra income by just encouraging families to eat out. And it acts as a community building events for families. We also have local grants avail to use by our neighborhood association. |
| {Foster-Jorgensen, Karen} | 07:31:44 pm | Well said Nazliya! Chamber, business networks, the role childcare plays! |
| Hernandez Alcoser, Cinthia | 07:31:47 pm | i agree Tricia. |
| {Foster-Jorgensen, Karen} | 07:32:12 pm | Yes, Johanna! Great! |
| Snabb, Jackie | 07:32:17 pm | I have a ton of parent information pamphlets from local businesses and other places to help families connect with the community for a variety of needs, some business cards as well. It helps the entire community grow and thrive |
| Johnson, Zina | 07:32:55 pm | Yes, I have explored the Small Business Administration as a community resource, and I see it as an invaluable partner for early childhood programs—both for non-profits and for-profit centers. While many people associate the SBA mainly with traditional small businesses, their programs, counseling, and funding opportunities align closely with what early childhood directors need to operate sustainably. |
| {Foster-Jorgensen, Karen} | 07:33:12 pm | Think about the companies where parents in your program are employed? Especially if you are near a major employer. You want to be their friend! |
| Gantt, Tricia | 07:33:12 pm | We also just partnered with a local new apartment building in the area who is putting our enrollment information in their welcome flyers! I am excited to see if that generates any uptick in enrollment for us! |
| Butler-Robinson, Lafayette | 07:33:40 pm | great idea Tricia |
| {Foster-Jorgensen, Karen} | 07:33:44 pm | Ah, you are all cooking big now!! 🙂 |
| Staudt, Sara | 07:34:06 pm | At a recent board meeting we were talking with a board member who works for a large company - we're thinking about partnering with their |
| Staudt, Sara | 07:34:14 pm | HR to give a discount rate |
| Snabb, Jackie | 07:34:15 pm | Absolutely! I get my parents to come in and teach the kids about their jobs all the time and they usually bring gifts for the kids! |
| {Foster-Jorgensen, Karen} | 07:34:26 pm | You all have service clubs in your communities - Lions Club, Rotary, Kiwanis. Are you friends with them yet? |
| Butler-Robinson, Lafayette | 07:34:37 pm | no we are not |
| Sadiki, Nazliya | 07:34:38 pm | Yes, absolutely! Building relationships with the companies where our families work is such a smart idea. When parents see that we have a good connection with their employers, it builds trust and shows we understand their needs. At Little Bees Child Care Center, we already offer a referral program for families, and partnering with local employers could make that even stronger — offering their staff added benefits while helping us reach more families in the community. It’s a win-win for everyone! |
| Johnson, Zina | 07:34:45 pm | At our center, we’ve learned that when we build relationships with the companies where parents work, everyone benefits. For example, we’ve reached out to nearby healthcare organizations, manufacturing plants, and public service offices to establish communication about how we can support their employees’ childcare needs. This includes flexible scheduling, priority enrollment, or employer-based discounts that help families maintain stability in both work and home life. |
| Gantt, Tricia | 07:34:47 pm | OH!! Yes - Lions Club comes out and does free vision screens for us! |
| Snabb, Jackie | 07:34:54 pm | Yes |
| Staudt, Sara | 07:35:19 pm | Yes! Rotary club hosts community dinners for our families! |
| {Foster-Jorgensen, Karen} | 07:35:34 pm | Fantastic! See what great things you are doing once we start adding it up!! |
| Gantt, Tricia | 07:36:10 pm | Lots of little things that are easy yo forget about in the business of things! |
| Snabb, Jackie | 07:36:40 pm | I agree Tricia, gets lost in the shuffle. |
| {Foster-Jorgensen, Karen} | 07:36:54 pm | Service clubs are always looking for speakers for their meetings. In my experience they are all friendly and like to hear about things in their community! Its a good chance to remind everyone that childcare is an employment issue important way beyond families with young children! |
| {Foster-Jorgensen, Karen} | 07:38:03 pm | Also, every community or county has an economic development organization. They are great for strategy, community planning, statistics you might need! |
| {Foster-Jorgensen, Karen} | 07:38:58 pm | I encourage you to make a list of your engagements - and ask your staff to help you compile the list. A great opportunity to talk to your team about how you all represent your business in the community! |
| Hernandez Alcoser, Cinthia | 07:39:13 pm | Thank you! |
| Snabb, Jackie | 07:39:34 pm | That's a great idea |
| {Foster-Jorgensen, Karen} | 07:39:48 pm | Have you experienced obstacles to any of your community engagement efforts? Other than time, which is always in short supply! |
| Sadiki, Nazliya | 07:39:56 pm | hat’s such a great idea! I love the thought of making a list of our community engagements and getting the staff involved. |
| {Foster-Jorgensen, Karen} | 07:40:32 pm | I will be interested in hearing about your lists! 🙂 |
| Gantt, Tricia | 07:40:41 pm | Time and resources are always challenges. Staff already wear many hats, and finding time for deeper community involvement can be tough. Another obstacle is that families sometimes face barriers, like transportation or scheduling that limit their ability to join events. We’ve been trying to get creative, like hosting smaller pop-up activities at drop-off and pickup times or connecting families with virtual resources when they can’t attend in person. |
| Snabb, Jackie | 07:40:41 pm | Volunteers to help |
| Sadiki, Nazliya | 07:41:10 pm | Yes, definitely! One challenge I’ve noticed is getting consistent participation or commitment from community partners — sometimes it takes a lot of follow-up to make things happen. Another obstacle is limited resources for marketing or event costs, especially for smaller centers like ours. But even with those challenges, I’ve found that staying visible and keeping good relationships in the community always pays off in the long run. |
| {Foster-Jorgensen, Karen} | 07:41:28 pm | Before we sign off, let's each share one type of community engagement that we would like to add to our goal list? What would benefit your organization? |
| Staudt, Sara | 07:41:33 pm | The biggest one for me is definitely time, but also histories make a difference. Reaching out to a local organization only to find out they had a negative experience a long time ago or were ghosted 5 years ago makes things tough. |
| Butler-Robinson, Lafayette | 07:41:33 pm | time is me. my center opens later in the day so getting my staff to participate is a struggle |
| {Foster-Jorgensen, Karen} | 07:42:00 pm | Good points, there are obstacles to move out of the way sometimes! |
| Gantt, Tricia | 07:42:16 pm | We are actually hoping a community wide Trunk or Treat this week for the first time - hoping to bring in people from the community that do not know exactly where we are/what we do! |
| Villa, Johanna | 07:42:17 pm | I have similar experience Nazliya, it can sometimes feel like we go through a large effort to engage the larger community for events but the attendees are often made up of our current community of families and staff |
| Staudt, Sara | 07:42:20 pm | I'd like to do more on community engagement with businesses - creating a discounted enrollment program with a business |
| Hernandez Alcoser, Cinthia | 07:42:23 pm | I would like to add partnerships with local businesses and cultural organizations to our goals. |
| Sadiki, Nazliya | 07:42:28 pm | One type of community engagement I’d like to add to our goal list is partnering with local employers to offer special child care discounts or referral incentives for their staff. I think this would not only help more families access quality care but also strengthen relationships with businesses in our area. It’s a great way to support working parents and build long-term connections in the community. |
| Snabb, Jackie | 07:43:36 pm | Having a successful Annual Trunk or Treat again this year! #6 |
| Swafford, Andria | 07:43:58 pm | One of the biggest obstacles I’ve found to community engagement is working within the university partnership and all the rules that come with it. While being connected to the university brings amazing opportunities, there are often policies and procedures we have to navigate, which can make planning events or collaborations more complicated. |
| {Foster-Jorgensen, Karen} | 07:44:03 pm | Excellent thoughts! As we think engagement, sometimes it is helpful to separate family engagement activities from business/economic engagement types. They both are valuable but approached are somewhat different. |
| Butler-Robinson, Lafayette | 07:44:10 pm | I have let families enroll free for 1 to 2 weeks just to see if this the right place for their family but this also helps them see that not all centers are bad places to enroll their children despite what they see and read in the community. |
| {Foster-Jorgensen, Karen} | 07:44:30 pm | Thanks for sharing all of these impactful thoughts!! |
| Sadiki, Nazliya | 07:44:38 pm | * |
| Hernandez Alcoser, Cinthia | 07:44:46 pm | Thank you!! |
| Staudt, Sara | 07:44:48 pm | Thank you! |
| DeVaughn, Heather | 07:44:59 pm | Thank you! |
| Snabb, Jackie | 07:45:05 pm | Thank You!! |
| Gantt, Tricia | 07:45:08 pm | Thank you! Have a wonderful week, everyone! |
| {Foster-Jorgensen, Karen} | 07:45:15 pm | You are all familiar with the weekly flow of work - Discussion Board opens tonight. Make sure to start posting right away! |
| {Foster-Jorgensen, Karen} | 07:45:39 pm | See you there - have a great week! Thanks for all your thoughts!! Good night! |
| Sadiki, Nazliya | 07:45:41 pm | Thnak you and good night Karen |
| Butler-Robinson, Lafayette | 07:45:52 pm | thank you and good night |
| Snabb, Jackie | 07:45:56 pm | You too Tricia and everyone!!Thanks everyone! |
| {Foster-Jorgensen, Karen} | 07:46:11 pm | See you all on the discussion board!! |
