Little Dolphin School... expanding their model
Question:
How does The Little Dolphin School partner with private companies, nonprofits and/or other public organizations, to expand their model of early education?
Mission: Excellence in early childhood education & the arts for children zero to six, regardless of social or economic status.
Programs: Infant, toddler, preschool, pre-K, kindergarten, music & dance, movement education, yoga, healthy meals, theater arts, visual arts, early literacy, age-specific classrooms, academic internships, tuition assistance, private kindergarten scholarships, transitional families in need assistance
History:
1977- Established as a nonprofit nursery school in New York City by Sheila Brier, an early pioneer in ECE.
1999 - The Westbrook campus opens as the largest child care center in Maine, with full comprehensive services for families with young children and a professional staff of educators.
2007 – LDS celebrates its 30th anniversary with the grand opening of the Scarborough campus.
Organizational Structure: The Little Dolphin School is led by Steve Brier, a medical educator and child advocate. The volunteer board of directors includes ten individuals who love kids.
Financial: 2007 – 2008 fiscal budget is $ 1.75M for Scarborough & Westbrook schools
Demographics: Little Dolphin has about 40% of its students in the low-to-moderate income category. The two learning centers serve over 275 families each year. Our faculty and student body represent over 16 countries.
Growth Goal: Through philanthropy and our commercial real estate model, we would like to add 3 – 5 schools over the next 7 years. Ultimately, we would like to reach thousands of young children and families in the coming decade.
Strengths: Early learning programs and state-of-the-art facilities in high exposure/ commuter locations that are unmatched. We have built a tremendous reputation for excellence in child care, earning the trust of families, educators and social agencies in the greater Portland area.
Challenges: Educating the public on the importance of child brain development and the role of child care. Providing early childcare to all families regardless of socio-economic status.
Question: How does The Little Dolphin School partner with private companies, nonprofits and/or other public organizations, to expand their model of early education?
Craig Larrabee - Jobs for Maine’s GraduatesCapacity building has indeed fostered new skills and knowledge among organization staff and our board. Our knowledge base and presentation skills have grown considerably.
