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Home My WebLink About1994-01-17; Parks & Recreation Commission; 194-5; Kruger House/Preschool UpdatePARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION - AGENDA BILL AB#TITLE: MTG' A' s! ' KRUGER HOUSE/PRESCHOOL UPDATE (INFO) DEPT. _ RECOMMENDED ACTION: Accept and file staff report. ITEM EXPLANATION; During the December Parks and Recreation Commission meeting, staff was directed to provide an update on the Kruger House/Preschool operation. Subsequent to the City Council's direction on December 8, 1992, the following actions have been implemented with respect to the Kruger House/Preschool Program. 1. Registration Priority The attached priority registration procedures (Exhibit 1) were implemented as of April 1993 and are currently in effect. The registration policy effectively gives priority registration to Carlsbad residents for first time enrollment in the toddler program and preschool program. Currently enrolled Carlsbad residents also have priority in the second year enrollment for the Two-year Toddler and Preschool Program. In an effort to maintain continuity of the developmental program, non-residents currently enrolled were given 2nd priority over Carlsbad residents not currently enrolled for the second year of the program(s). In essence, the registration policy insures priority registration for Carlsbad residents while maintaining the integrity of the program's developmental philosophy. 2. Kruger House/Preschool Expansion a. Recently, the Scout House building at Holiday Park, immediately adjacent to the Kruger House, was renovated to accommodate expansion of preschool classes. The building renovation which was recently completed will allow for additional preschool program classes to be offered (refer to Exhibit 2). Although the building is completed, the outdoor play equipment has yet to be installed. The Kruger Preschool Benefit Committee has raised $1,000 towards the purchase of play equipment. Additional funds for this purchase of equipment is still needed and is the current subject of budget requests and/or future benefit contributions. Installation of the play equipment will be completed through the volunteer efforts of the Carlsbad Rotary Club. b. Additional time and facility space has been made available for preschool activities at Calavera Hills Community Park. However, to date, the department has been unable to implement additional classes at this site due to an inability to secure a qualified instructor for the program. Staff has and will continue to process the implementation of additional programming once a qualified instructor is hired. 023 PAGE 2 OF AB# 195-4 EXHIBITS; 1. Registration Procedure 2. Memo from Recreation Supervisor - January 7, 1993 024 1993 - 1994 REGISTRATION PROCEDURE COMPROMISE TODDLER PROGRAM TODDLER 1'S Priority 1. Carlsbad Resident 2. Non-Residents TODDLER 2'S Priority 1. Carlsbad Residents enrolled 2. Non-Residents enrolled 3. Carlsbad Residents not enrolled. 4. Open Registration PRESCHOOL PROGRAM PRE/SCH 3'S Priority 1. Carlsbad Residents 2. Non-Residents PRE/SCH 4'S Priority 1. Carlsbad Residents enrolled 2. Non-Residents enrolled 3. Carlsbad Residents not enrolled 4. Open Registration NOTE:' Preschool students enrolled as of 1/1/93 will be grandfathered for 2 years (developmental continuity secured for current students). 025 EXHIBIT 1 January?, 1993 TO: CITY MANAGER VIA: Parks and Recreation Director FROM: Recreation Supervisor II KRUGER HOUSE PRESCHOOL EXPANSION PROGRAM BACKGROUND On December 8,1992 the City Council requested staff to investigate the expansion of the Kruger House Preschool Program to include: • Analyzation of other City sites for additional morning preschool classes. • Addition of a Pre-Kindergarten Program for children 5 years old who missed the cut off to start Kindergarten. RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that funds be appropriated for.the following expansion of the Preschool Program: • Add a morning Preschool 3' s and 4' s class at Calavera Hills Community Center. (This will provide classes for ages 1-4 at the Calavera Center.) • Renovate the Scout House at Holiday Park to accommodate preschool classes. • Move existing Toddler classes at Kruger House to the Scout House. • Add a morning Preschool 4' s class at Kruger House. • Add an afternoon Pre-Kindergarten Program at Kruger House Preschool. FISCAL IMPACT The total approximate cost of expanding the preschool program as per the above recommendations are as follows: Expenses Preschool Instructor Salaries $21,060 Preschool Supplies & Equipment 2,000 Renovations to the Scout House (one time expense) 17.250 Total $40,310 Revenues collected first year * $32,680 First year - Deficit ($7,630) Second year & thereafter - Profit $9,620 ETXHIBIT 2• Assumes all classes are full. Q 2 6 C/vn D *- DISCUSSION I. Facility Availability for Expanding Morning Preschool Classes The primary consideration to expanding the preschool program is the availability and adaptability of facility space for the program. Staff investigated all City facilities; including: Harding Center, Scout House, Kruger House, Heritage Hall, Calavera Hills Center and Stagecoach Park. The following summarizes the availability and adaptability at each center. Currently only Toddler 1' s & 2' s are being held at Calavera Hills Community Center. Facility space is available for one additional morning class. The addition of this Preschool 3' s & 4' s class will provide a program structure at the center for children ages 1 through 4. Harding Center facility space is currently reserved each morning for Aerobics classes. Storage is limited due to the number of programs and rentals housed at Harding. A safe outdoor play area was not available at the site. Facility space at Heritage Hall and Stagecoach Park was not open as well. The Scout House is available in the mornings for classes; however, it will require approximately $17,250 in renovations to provide a safe environment for preschool classes. A detailed list of approximate costs for Scout House renovations is attached (Attachment A). This facility would be an excellent extension site for Kruger Hous.e due to it s close proximity and land space available for a play yard behind the facility. The Kruger House Benefit Committee is open to raising funds for the outdoor play equipment. Educational equipment could be easily shared and transported from one facility to the other. In addition, upgrades to the facility would attract rentals between 12 noon and 10 p.m. when the building is not in use. Once the Scout House Improvements are completed, staff recommends that the Toddler Program be moved from Kruger House to the Scout House to provide a Tuesday, Thursday, Friday time slot at Kruger House for Preschool 4' s. This will separate the program by facility and provide the needed time slots for additional morning Preschool 4' s at Kruger House. A morning Preschool 3' s & 4' s class will also be scheduled at Calavera. Program costs to the City include $1,500 for equipment and supplies, $11,700 in instructor salaries and $17,250 in Scout House renovations for a total of $30,450. Qualified staff will need to be recruited for the new classes. II. Pre-Klnderparten Program tor 5 year olds Facility space is available for an afternoon Pre-Kindergarten class at Kruger House. This program would meet 3 hours, 4 times per week. Funds required include: $9,360 In Instructor salaries and $500 in supplies for a total of $9,860. 027 CONCLUSION The City Toddler & Preschool Programs are popular due to the high quality of Instruction and facilities currently available. The large number of residents on our morning class waiting lists signals the need to provide additional preschool services to the community. If the state decides to shorten the age requirement for children entering Kindergarten or eliminate Kindergarten, the demand for a Pre- Kindergarten class program will be even greater than the current demand. The programs will be a consistent revenue source for the City and the class revenue will provide a return on investment for the improvements and equipment in less than one year. GAIL J. WATTS /re Attachment A c: Assistant City Manager Utilities and Maintenance Director Facilities Manager Recreation Superintendent 028 SCOUT HOUSE RENOVATIONS Approximate Costs Level Floor $10,000. Cabinets (for Supply Storage) 500. Move Doorway & Door 500. New Door Handsets (6 (g> $50) 300. Carpeting (Noise Control) 1,000. Acoustical Spray for Ceiling 300. Lexan for Display Case 150. Sink & CounterTop 250. Play Area Fencing 800. Total $13,800. 25% Contingency 3.450. Grand Total $17,250. * This item had been approved for funding but was delayed due to budget cutbacks. 1/93 ATTACHMENT A 029