KidsUp! Parent Child Center

COMMUNITY BUILT PROJECTS BUILD

COMMUNITY

KidsUp! Motto

Our General Mission Statement

KidsUp! general mission is to build community by supporting families.

Specifically KidsUp! continues to maintain and improve the playground it built at Battle Point Park with the help of the Bainbridge Island Parks and Recreation Department. KidsUp! will also create and maintain a Parent Child Center ("PCC") in North Kitsap which will provide parents with easy access to essential information and community resources in a comfortable environment that is both safe and fun for children so that families can befriend and support each other throughout the year.

KIDSUP! PLAYGROUND AND THE FORMER PCC: WHERE WE

HAVE BEEN AND WHAT WE HAVE DONE TO THIS POINT

OUR HISTORY

KidsUp! Playground

at Battle Point Park

Built in 2001

Repainted and repaired in 2008

KidsUp! History KidsUp! is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization

established in 2000 by a group of three local moms who wanted to build a community playground.

In one short year, KidsUp! raised $260,000.00. KidsUp! secured the help of thousands of volunteers and in 2001, built the KidsUp! Playground at Battle Point Park . This feat was accomplished by the community “barn raising” style in one week.

KidsUp! then gifted the playground over to the Parks and Recreation Department, however, we continue to be responsible for maintaining and improving the playground.

In 2007, several moms with young children took on the task of reopening the local Parent Child Center “PCC” and this group of moms agreed to become the new Board of KidsUp! 

The Current KidsUp! Board of Directors

The current board is made up of 5 women who live on Bainbridge island.

1. Carrissa Barbee PresidentSAHM (Stay at Home Mom) & Lawyer

2. Vicki White Vice-president SAHM and Child and Family Therapist

3. Annie Gratten Treasurer SAHM and Math Teacher

4. Nikki Lounsbury Secretary SAHM and Student

5. Ellen Carleson Director of Mother, Grandma and Preschool Teacher (ICP)

PCC Project

We are looking to fill the following positions: Volunteer co-ordinator / Fundraising chair / Director of the KidsUp! Playground

THE KIDSUP! PLAYGROUND AT BATTLE POINT PARK

KidsUp! continues to maintain andimprove the Playground at Battle

PointPark.

In 2008/ 2009 the Board has done the

following maintenance and upgrades:

Repainted the entire playground in one day with the help of community volunteers

Installed a new Bronco feature Installed a new spiderweb

feature Replaced the following broken

or missing items: rainwheel, mallets for the instruments, tubing, mirrors for the flowers, lumber and screws and a plaque.

Hired a new landscaper to maintain the grounds bordering the playground

KidsUp! Projects (2008/ 2009 )

The Former Parent Child Center (PCC)

on Bainbridge

Island

PCC History

• The former Parent Child Center or PCC as it came to be called was opened by Helpline House in 1997.

• It was housed originally at Commodore and given a space through the school district for $1/year. Over the years, it was then operated at 2 different other locations, most recently at Woodward portables.

• The Helpline House PCC served 160 families in its heydey in 2003, almost exclusively Bainbridge Island families.

• The original director left her position in 2004 and the attendance rate at PCC began to decline until Helpline House was forced to close the facility in 2006.

The Former Parent Child Center (PCC) on Bainbridge Island

Former PCC Services

• Small indoor play space for children birth to

age 6

• Car Seat Checks

• Social Worker

• Resource Library and Parenting Classes

• Lending Closet

• Originally free and then at the end,

$5/child/visit

THINGS THAT WILL REMAIN THE SAME

CHANGES AND ADDITIONS

Parent support from a trained professional

Parenting classes Social opportunities for moms Coffee area Safe Pretend Play area Resource library and guide Lending closet Car seat checks Generous scholarships based

on need.

Will serve all of North Kitsap and will be a model for Parent Support in our area and beyond.

Larger play space with separate areas for different ages

Possible outdoor play space Community room for rent Classes for kids Birthday parties Family lecture series Child & family special events Playgroups and big kid hours Café area

Our Plan for the New PCC vs. Former PCC

OPENING A NEW INDOOR PLAY FACILITY FOR FAMILY RECREATION AND SUPPORT

KidsUp! has been actively planning,researching and fundraising in order toopen the doors of our new ParentChild Centre.

This year we have:

Hosted the KidsUp! Parent Fair, attended by 2000 people, with over 80 vendors

Continued to make community connections, especially in Poulsbo, Suquamish, Kingston and the rest of North Kitsap county.

Conducted formal and informal research about community needs

Continued planning and hosting community building / fundraising events like KidsUp! Rocks (May 2nd) and Field Day Fun (August)

Developed an Advisory Board made up of community leaders who are concerned with the families and children of our community. It includes pediatricians, mental health professionals, child development experts, parent coaches and clergy

Made mock ups of our ideal space and started researching commercial properties.

Put together a Family Resource Guide

KidsUp! Projects (2008/ 2009 )

 

WHY IS A PARENT CHILD CENTER IMPORTANT?

1. A F F O R D A B L E A N D A C C E SS I B L E E X E R C I S E & R E C R E AT I O N F O R Y O U N G C H I L D R E N

2. A F F O R D A B L E & A C C E SS I B L E FA M I LY S U P P O R T & E D U C AT I O N A I M E D AT E M P O W E R I N G FA M I L I E S A N D P R E V E N T I N G O R M I T I G AT I N G P R O B L E M S

3. C O M M U N I T Y B U I L D I N G / S O C I A L N E T W O R K I N G O P P O R T U N I T I E S F O R FA M I L I E S W I T H Y O U N G C H I L D R E N A N D T H E O R G A N I Z AT I O N S A N D I N D I V I D UA L S T H AT W O R K W I T H T H E M

4. P R O M O T I O N O F C H I L D H E A LT H A N D S A F E T Y ( C A R S E AT C H E C K S, C P R C O U R S E S A N D R E F E R R A L S T O O T H E R A G E N C I E S )

5. E A S Y A C C E SS T O C U R R E N T PA R E N T I N G B O O K S A N D FA M I LY R E S O U R C E S I N O U R C O M M U N I T Y I N A S PA C E W H E R E PA R E N T S C A N B R O W S E AT T H E I R L E I S U R E W H I L E T H E I R K I D S P L AY

TOP 5 REASONS FOR A PCC

The Former PCC: Real Moms Speak

“I had been a full-time professional... I had very few friends on Bainbridge...I had virtually no experience with babies or children...I hadn't realized how isolating motherhood can be.  I hadn't realized how tired I would be, and how much I would question my own instincts and abilities as a mother.  I didn't realize that the great gift of the PCC would be to connect me up with other moms with babies of the same age.  Women who I could watch nurse their babies, so I could figure out what I was supposed to be doing.  Women who had been up half the night, just like me.  Women who also didn't know what they were doing, but were getting by.  Women who would ultimately be in my corner, no matter what. Seven years later, the women I met at the PCC remain some of my closest friends. ” 

(Jenny Lange)

“Those months before I discovered PCC were borderline miserable.  My daughter was a difficult eater, sleeper and napper and I felt like an awful mother….Kelly West was running PCC that year and she was fantastic.  I loved the PCC from the first moment!  The environment and moms were so friendly and welcoming and the toys, books and resources available were amazing.”

(Jackie Broom)

 

“I always looked forward to meeting with other moms who had kids the same age as mine.  It was great to have a sounding board for all those questions first time moms have.  Some of my best friends on the island (and some of my son’s best friends) are ones that we met at the PCC years go.  Bainbridge Island needs a place where parents and young children can meet on a regular basis in a low key, friendly, and supportive setting. ”

(Kristin LaCroix)

The Former PCC: Real Moms Speak

“I had the blues (in retrospect I think it was mild post-partum depression), my baby was a poor sleeper, and many days I felt quite alone at home . It was helpful to come into the PCC and have caring people to talk to, people knowledgeable about infant care. It was also nice to meet other parents who were going through similar things. I also found the library there to have some resources that helped me in concrete ways.”

(Anonymous)

“I used to go to PCC for sharing experiences about being a new mommy with other mothers. It helped me build strong relationships throughout the island. It was also a time for my child to play and make new friends. PCC helped my family by providing an outlet for me to get support, encouragement and advice. I miss the PCC because it provided a round table for quality adult time and was an important resource for me as my child developed. Families need a place to come together share ideas, grow and build a strong community.”

(Sabrina N. Short)

"After moving here, PCC made me feel welcome.  The friendly atmosphere, play area, conversations and coffee all helped me adjust to a new environment and community.  Its resources helped me navigate island life.  I also met some of my dearest friends there.”

(Debbie Menagh)

“ I miss PCC...I enjoyed my weekly cup of coffee with a group of mom's  - keeping connected on community events, exchanging parenting ideas and watching our kids have fun in a WARM, SAFE environment..”

(Leticia Haught)

Community Needs: Facts and Statistics

• FINANCIAL NEED: The Bainbridge Island Health Housing and Human Services Council 2008 Community Checkup found that "estimates show that about a quarter of our population fits into the lower income group (under $35,000 in 2001) and the gap between the affluent and those in need is widening."

• ISOLATION: Additionally, the Community Checkup survey asked how connected people feel and "nearly 20% gave it a low rating (2 or below). Low scores were most prevalent among people who have lived on Bainbridge Island for less than 3 years and people with family incomes below $50,000 a year.  The greater difficulty that newcomers and lower income individuals and families experience in establishing and maintaining a sense of connection and contribution was also reflected in many of the comments recorded during the research." (2007 HHHS Community Checkup, page 2). One of the comments to the side of the Community Checkup on page 2 sums it up best by stating, "I love this island more than I could have possible imagined when I moved here. But it is also a very hard place to really break into and feel like you belong."  Relevant factors from the checkup identified to make the greatest difference in creating and sustaining a healthy community identified community gatherings, events and activities for all age groups, arts and cultural activities that provide opportunities for involvement and good communication and outreach mechanisms to promote connections, awareness and involvement across the community. These types of activities are a huge part of our mission .

• YOUTH SERVICES AND PREVENTATIVE MENTAL HEALTH INITIATIVES: The unmet needs identified by the Community Checkup survey were, "youth service and activities", "affordable mental health services" and "abuse prevention and response". (2008 HHHS Community Checkup, page 5). We plan to help address each of these unmet needs for Bainbridge and North Kitsap families.

Our Target Population

Facts and Statistics

SO WHY DO WE NEED OUR PARENT CHILD CENTER?

• WE HAVE A LARGE POPULATION TO SUPPORT THIS TYPE OF A CENTER IN NORTH KITSAP: The birth rate as of 2005 for BI was 136 births and for Kitsap County, the birth rate was 3,034.  (Bainbridge Island School District Study Report, 2007). The 2007 estimate of the number of children on BI who are 0-9 years of age is 11.6%.  The 2007 estimate of the number of children in Kitsap County who are 0-9 years of age is 13.4%.  The 2006 Census Population Estimates for Bainbridge Island are 22,178 people and for Kitsap County the number is 240,604.  The 2010 Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) gives out a projection of population growth which is estimated to be 24, 349 people by 2010 on BI and 25,080 by 2012.

• EXERCISE AND RECREATION WHEN THE WEATHER IS BAD: There is a need for indoor play spaces to serve the exercise and recreation needs of the young children in our community in the same way that the KidsUp! Playground serves their outdoor needs. The weather here in the Northwest often doesn’t allow for a trip to the playground. Our outdoor playground gets heavy use from North Kitsap families and we anticipate that an inexpensive indoor play space will attract the same families.

Indoor Play Spaces in Kitsap Co.

1. KidiMu

2. Peacock Playtime

3. Open Gym at the Transmitter Bldg.

4. The Zone

5. Periscope Place at Kitsap Mall

Facts and Statistics

SO, WITH THESE OPTIONS, WHY DO WE NEED OUR PARENT CHILD CENTER?

• COST: All of these play spaces (with the exception of the mall play space which is free) are too expensive for an average family to visit them every week, especially if there is more than one child in the family ($5.00/child and in the case of KidiMu $5.00/child + $5.00/parent).  We want to provide a space that is affordable for all families to attend on a regular basis.

• The 2001 Census estimates that 23.4% of the Bainbridge population and 35.5% of Kitsap County population makes under $35,000 a year.  The 1999 Poverty Status figures show 4.4% of Bainbridge and 8.8% of Kitsap County live in poverty. As of 2006, 6% of Bainbridge Island students and 23% of students in North Kitsap were eligible for free and reduced - price meals. (Healthy Youth, Kitsap County, 2006).  Additionally, as of 2005, 8.5% of Bainbridge Island residents use DSHS services and in 2004, 25% of residents in Kitsap County used DSHS services. (Department of Social and Health Services for Washington website).

What Will We Offer the Community That is Currently Lacking?

Parent Support and Education

• AFFORDABLE AND ACCESSIBLE PARENT SUPPORT: None of the indoor play spaces offer consistent professional support for parents and families - they are merely a place to go and play for the children.  They are all open limited hours which can make it hard on working parents. We plan to address these needs by offering professional “parent coaches” to work in a collaborative manner with parents. Also, we will be open during hours when both stay at home and working parents can use our services. • AFFORDABLE AND ACCESSIBLE PARENT EDUCATION: In our informal polls of the parents on Bainbridge, parenting classes were consistently rated as being “very needed” by Bainbridge Island parents. Parent education classes are taught very rarely and usually, an agency only brings in a speaker on a topic of interest for a couple of hours. In order to access formal parent education classes, families often need to travel large distances or pay exorbitant fees. In addition, classes aimed at preschool children are hard to find. We plan to address this need by providing affordable parent education classes in North Kitsap with scholarships for those who couldn’t otherwise afford to attend.

What Will We Offer the Community That is Currently Lacking?

Resources

• COMMUNITY: The current play spaces are not set up for the comfort of adults. Few of these have adequate seating for parents to relax and talk to other parents and they also lack places to sit and comfortably nurse a baby, read a book, grab a coffee or catch up with friends. Our space will be comfortable and inviting for all ages and genders and we will design it to encourage social interaction of both parents and children.

• CAR SEAT CHECKS: The only car seat check program is located in Kingston.  We propose to have a full program at our center.

• CURRENT PARENTING BOOKS AND OTHER RESOURCES: The libraries in our community are wonderful resources for parents, however, a lot of the parenting books are out of date and getting a copy of the newest parenting book typically takes months. It is often difficult for parents to identify what they need while trying to control several young energetic children at the library or bookstore. We believe that having a parenting library in a center where children can safely play while the parent browses through the books or asks the parent coach for advice about resources will address the access problem that many parents currently experience.

OUR PLAN FOR THE NORTH KITSAP PARENT CHILD CENTER

Our Mission

OUR MISSION FOR THE PARENT CHILD CENTERFOR PARENTS:• PARENTING SUPPORT FROM A QUALIFIED “PARENTING COACH”• PARENTING AND FAMILY RESOURCE LIBRARY• PARENT PEER SUPPORT AND SOCIAL OPPORTUNITIES• PARENTING CLASSES (PRENATAL THROUGH TEENS) AND OTHER GROUPS FOR MOMS AND DADS • A LENDING CLOSET FOR BABY/ TODDLER GEAR• COFFEE AREA WHERE MOMS CAN UNWIND AND ENJOY A HOT DRINK WHILE THEIR KIDS PLAY• GENEROUS SCHOLARSHIPS FOR FAMILIES WHO CAN’T AFFORD OUR FEES (THIS CENTER WILL BE AVAILABLE TO ALL FAMILIES IN KITSAP COUNTY WHO WISH TO USE IT) !

Our Mission

FOR CHILDREN:• SAFE INDOOR PLAYSPACE MAINLY SERVING CHLDREN AGES O-6 WITH SOME HOURS FOR CHILDREN 7-9• GROSS MOTOR, FINE MOTOR, CREATIVE AND PRETEND PLAY SPACES• SNACK AREA WITH KID SIZED TABLES• INFANT, TODDLER AND PRESCHOOLER CLASSES AND SPECIAL EVENTS• PLAYGROUPS• SAFE PLAY AREA FOR DIFFERENTLY ABLED CHILDREN AND THEIR CAREGIVERS• BIRTHDAY PARTIES• FENCED, TODDLER SAFE OUTDOOR PLAY AREA WITH GROSS MOTOR AND PRETEND PLAY ELEMENTS• SPECIAL EVENTS FOR KIDS AND THEIR FAMILIES

Our Mission

FOR THE COMMUNITY:• AFFORDABLE SPACE RENTAL FOR ORGANIZATIONS WHO SUPPORT FAMILIES AND THOSE WHO WANT TO OFFER CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES, TEEN GROUPS OR PARENT FOCUSED GROUPS• RESOURCE LIBRARY, FAMILY RESOURCE GUIDE AND CALENDAR OF FAMILY FRIENDLY EVENTS IN KITSAP• CAR SEAT CHECKS• A LENDING CLOSET FOR BABY/ TODDLER GEAR• BUILDING TIES BETWEEN THOSE PROVIDERS WHO SERVE FAMILIES AND CHILDREN IN OUR COMMNITY WITH THE GOAL OF IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR FAMILIES IN KITSAP COUNTY• A PLACE WHERE FAMILIES AND GROUPS CAN GATHER TO BUILD COMMUNITY• LECTURE SERIES BY LOCAL PROFESSIONALS ON TOPICS RELATED TO CHILDREN AND FAMILIES• FUN AND INFORMATIVE FAMILY CENTERED EVENTS ( INCLUDING OUR ANNUAL FAMILY FAIR )

The Space

Features of the Space We Want

• 2000-4000 square foot “open” space• 750-1,500 square foot gross motor

play area with climbers, tunnels, rockers

• 375-600 square foot Bonus Room for community rental, child and adult classes, art area, parenting classes conference room and birthday parties

• 200-400 square foot Baby/ Toddler play area

• 600-1000 square foot pretend play area. This would include a large loft area.

• 200 square foot quiet play reading/puzzle / game area

• Large storage areas 150-300 square feet

• Half walls and baby gates that separate areas but do not obstruct views

• Ample parking for cars and strollers

• One to two 8x10 to 10x15 family bathrooms in our center

• One or two small office spaces 8x10 or 10x10• Space for a Resource Library• Cheerful front desk area and cubbies/hooks• Kitchen area in Bonus Room• Eating area with a good view of the play

space and a coffee/ snack solution.• Large windows and a welcoming exterior• Door to a fenced outdoor area at least 1,200-

1,500 square feet with climber, pretend play, sand and water play, picnic tables and paved area for riding push cars and trikes.

• Comfortable seating for moms and kids with a view of the entire play space.

• Two to three exits• Ground floor or nice elevator to the space.• High ceilings to accommodate a large

climber and a loft area.• Padded floor in baby area and climber area.

Space Priorities

Absolute Musts Strongly Prefer Would Like but is not Necessary

• At least 3000 sq ft that is all connected.• 750-1,500 sq foot area for gross motor play•Easy access to washrooms with change tables• Ability to rent out a Party room/ community meeting room to raise money for rent• Good flooring/ durable and soft• Decent heating• Half walls to separate areas without blocking vision• Ample parking • Two exits• Storage (at least 200-300 sq ft)• High level of childproofing•Good signage

•3,400 -3, 800 sq ft open space• Prefer a family restroom• Water hookup for a kitchen area with double sinks• Large open space (prefer rectangular or square) with nothing obstructing view except columns.• A safely fenced outside play area directly outside our inside area (prefer 1,5oo sq ft or more).• High ceilings• Ability to add a loft play area • A secure space to leave strollers located right outside our facility• Eating area• Access to a water fountain• Large windows & nice exterior

• 4,000 sq feet•Ability to paint space (including duct work) cheerful colors• Extra water hookup for a second bar sink in our space• Access to the bathrooms from our facility.• A third exit• The ability to put in a large size climber (height/ weight).

Space Priorities in Order of Importance

1. SIZE: Large contiguous open space (at least 1,800 sq ft and not larger than 4,500 sq ft)2. LINE OF SIGHT: Ability to view most spaces from most other spaces so mom’s can supervise their

kids without being 2 feet away at all times.3. SAFETY: We want the space to be super safe for babies and toddlers! (appropriate exits etc.)4. INCOME: Ability to rent out part of the space to smaller nonprofit and for profit businesses to

bring in a portion of our rent money. 5. EASY ACCESS: Center is easily accessible by moms pushing strollers/ differently abled individuals6. COMFORT: Comfortable seating areas for moms and other caregivers7. GROSS MOTOR AREA: Room for decent gross motor play for children up to age 98. LOCATION: Good central location, decent tolerant neighbors, good signage9. CHEERFUL AND BRIGHT: Lots of windows, attractive colored paint, ability to decorate as we

want.10. STORAGE: We need at least one large storage area.11. FLOORING: Decent soft flooring.12. RESTROOMS: Family friendly restrooms 13. PARKING: Ample safe parking for cars and strollers (parking lot is lit at night)14. DESK: A nice welcoming desk.15. KITCHEN: Plumbing to put in a small kitchen area and extra sink if possible.16. A PLACE TO GET COFFEE AND SNACKS: 17. OUTSIDE: Large fenced in outside area that is totally safe for toddlers. (plants, tables, sand,

water, pretend play, climber, riding trikes)

Our Ideal Family Support Center (Hypothetical)Our Ideal Space:

Hypothetical

Proposed Space Pavilion: Two large rooms only2938 sq ft

LEGEND

Dark Black walls = full walls

Black squares = columns (not sure if these are exactly right)

Pink Lines = half walls to be built

Purple lines = half doors

Royal Blue lines = Kitchen area

Sky blue lines = cubbies or lockers

Red lines = couches

Brown blobs = tables and chairs for adults and kids

Gray area = storage

POSSIBLE PRETEND PLAY AREA LOWER

POSSSIBLE PRETEND PLAY AREA UPPER

SUB CLINICHOSPITAL

SALON

CONSTRUCTION

RESTAURANT

MARKET

Play house

SAND

H2O

OPEN PLAY AREATRIKES ETC.30X 9 1/2

Water feature/ wall fountain

Kids picnic benches

Green = flowers and plants

Sand Table

Water Table

Gas pump

What to do about patio walls to make them safe?

Carpeted with heavy paddingBaby Area 15x15

Baby Swings

Wall activity Panels

Soft Play climber & slide

couches

Nursing Gliders

Jumperoos

Toy and Book Storage

Activity Table

Activity tables

Exersaucer

Bouncer

What Can You Do to Help?

We Need Help in the Following Areas

• Volunteer Time: We are looking for people to help with fundraising, grant writing, running events, running classes, volunteering at the center and we even have a couple of board positions that have opened up.

• Donate Money: You can donate to us on our website, through the mail or through One Call for All

• Donate Supplies : Once we have a space we will be looking for quality toys, baby equipment, furniture, building materials, paint and much more.

• Help us Find and Fund a Permanent Home

• Come out and enjoy the Center, attend our community events and spread the word to all your friends in Kitsap and beyond!