HomeMy WebLinkAbout8.1 Super Sitter Babysit Program
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&N82 AGENDA STATEMENT
PARKS AND COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION
MEETING DATE: May 17, 2010
SUBJECT: "Super Sitter" Drop-In Babysitting Program
Report by Henry Siu, Recreation Coordinator
ATTACHMENTS: None
RECOMMENDATION: Receive report and provide input on draft program plan
FINANCIAL STATEMENT: None
DESCRIPTION: The Parks and Community Services Strategic Plan was adopted by
the City Council in November 2008. One of the general strategies is to reduce barriers to participation in
Department programs. Staff is planning a new drop-in babysitting program for preschool-aged children at
the Shannon Community Center. This new program will help accomplish several of the strategic goals
identified in the Parks and Community Services Strategic Plan including:
¦ Promote and support programs that meet the specifrc needs offamilies with children (Strategic
Goal #3. a. i)
¦ Re-align existing programs and create new offerings to promote and support:
o Positive youth development and strong families (Strategic Goal #3. b. ii)
o Healthy lifestyles and wellness (Strategic Goal #3.b.iii)
o Personal enrichment and participation in hobbies, leisure pursuits and self-help activities
(Strategic Goal #3. b. vii)
¦ Provide youth program or babysitting in tandem with adult classes to increase participation
by parents (Strategic Goal #S. c)
The new "Super Sitters" program is starting this fall for children ages 2.5 to 5 years (must be potty
trained). The program will take place during the school year on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 a.m.
to 12:00 p.m. in the Classroom at the Shannon Community Center. The program will not operate during
the week of Thanksgiving Christmas, New Years and Dublin Unified School District spring break.
Offering the "Super Sitters" program will provide customers a quality babysitting option at an affordable
price. This program will offer convenience and flexibility for customers who are in need of babysitting
during the morning hours to take a class at the Shannon Community Center, ar to run errands, make
medical appointments, eta The program includes quality activities such as games, crafts, music
COPIES TO:
ITEM N0.:8.1
G:/PARKS C0MMISSIWAGNDSTMT\2010\5-17 Item 8.1 Super Sitters Program Plan.doc
appreciation, storytelling and free play. These activities will enhance physical and social development as
well as provide an opportunity to interact with other children and prepare for participation in stnactured
recreation programs and classes.
The daily drop-in registration fees are $9 per hour and $5 per hour for additional children from the same
family. Two Preschool Aides from the Dublin Preschool Program will be scheduled to supervise the
children and lead activities. This fee is affordable when you consider that the typical babysitter charges
$10 per hour per child and does not have the same level of training of the City's preschool staf£ With the
proposed pricing the minimum number of participants will need to average five per day in order to
recover 100% of the direct program costs. The maximum capacity is twelve children.
Registration will be done at the time of drop off and payment is due at pick-up. The pick-up time will be
rounded up to the next quarter hour for calculating the fees due, and the minimum charge will be for one
hour. A late fee of $1.00 per minute will be charged for parents arriving after 12:00 p.m. for pick-up.
Emergency forms will be completed at the time of drop off for new participants. All registration is taken
at the Shannon Community Center; no on-line registration will be available for this program. This will be
a drop-in program only. If the demand begins to exceed the number of spaces available, then the program
will be changed to include pre-registration.
In order to achieve the goal to expand classes that support healthy lifestyles and wellness, the Department
staff is working cooperatively to strategically schedule popular fitness and wellness classes during the
times that the Super Sitters program is offered. On the other weekdays, popular classes for preschoolers
will be scheduled in tandem with other popular adult classes.
Staff plans to advertise the program by distributing flyers to current households participating in the
Department's preschool classes and programs. Promotional materials will also be distributed at the
Library and other City facilities, to local day care providers, publicized in the activity guide and the "Bay
Area Parent" magazine. Staff will also conduct an email promotional campaign.
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the Parks and Community Services
Commission receive the report and provide input on draft program plan.
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