22 February 2007

1. PreschoolRecommendations 22 February 2007

2. Agenda • Current Enrollment Challenge • Past Preschool History • VCS Preschool Opportunity • Bethel Reformed Church • Motion to Board

3. Current Enrollment Challenge • Declining VCES Enrollment • 1996 ES Enrollment: 550 • 2006 ES Enrollment: 436 • Population / Demographics • Socio-Economics in Region • Increased Competition / More Alternatives for Education • Lack Complete PS-12 Package at VCS • No Feeder / No PS Option for VCS Community

4. Past Preschool History • VCES Preschool at Bellflower Campus & Artesia Elementary Campus • Artesia Campus PS • PS Enrollment Approximately 60-70 • Bellflower Campus PS • Outgrew Facility and Needed to Close Preschool Program in 1986 • ES Enrollment in 1986:  450

5. Current Preschool Situation • VCES Feeder Preschools • First Steps, Emmanuel, New Life • Only 25% go on to VCES Kindergarten(I.e. we loose 75% of Preschoolers) • Preschool Has Helped At Other Schools • Ontario Christian (OC) Preschool: 80% of students go on to OCES Kindergarten (OCES is growing) • Lynden Christian (LC) Preschool: 85% of students go on to LCES Kindergarten (LCES is growing)

6. Why Should VCS Start a Preschool? • Feed the VCES System by Following the Models of OC, LC, and CA Dept of Finance Recommendations. • Objectives • Have more VC Influence over PS families • Connect them with VCES Family • Connect them with VCES Values / Principles • Strong Promoting of VCES Directly to Preschool Families • Feed VCPS Directly into VCES Kindergarten • Increase VCES Enrollment at Earlier Age Levels

7. How Can We Accomplish This? • Use Existing VCES Facilities • Title 22 Constraints • Add Facilities on VCES property • Capital Intensive • Off Site Preschool • Lower Cost • Provides Opportunity for Trial

8. Off Site Preschool Options Considered • Purchase Existing • Wonderland Preschool • Rent Third Party Property • Church at Corner of Monterey & Grand • Rent Existing Anchor Church • Bethel - closest to VCES in proximity

9. Bethel Reformed Church • Already permitted for 144 preschool students by LA Unified Preschool • Outstanding preschool facilities • Some capital upgrades (new sinks, etc) required to meet Title 22 requirements • Meeting with Bethel Council on March 5

10. SWOT Analysis Weaknesses Strengths Off site campus Strong Families Values Opportunities Threats Bethel VC Resources • Low Cost • Trial Effectiveness Increased VCES Enrollment Choice for Anchor Families Seeking God’s Will

11. Motion to Board Proceed with negotiations with Bethel Reformed Church regarding startup and operation of a preschool on the Bethel Reformed campus.  The two parties would agree in concept to the following: 1.      Valley Christian Schools will operate the pre-school and will be responsible for all financial and personnel decisions.  The preschool will be operated as a part of the VCS system.  Bethel Reformed Church will have no direct responsibility over the preschool. 2.      The preschool will be called “Valley Christian Preschool – Bellflower” 3.      Valley Christian Schools will pay Bethel Reformed Church a periodic rental fee for usage of the property.  This will be negotiated. 4.      The preschool will be compliant with all local, state, and federal regulations including Title 22. 5.      Bethel will have the right to advertise and market their church directly to students and families at the preschool as they deem appropriate.  This includes church events, programs, services, etc. 6.     Attendees must meet current VCS admission requirements. 7.      Valley Christian Schools will provide capital funds to update the Bethel Reformed campus to meet Title 22 requirements for preschools.  The amount of capital will be agreed on pending further negotiations. 8.      Remaining details will be approved by the VCS Board & Bethel Council pending further negotiations.