HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes.KFAB.20180906.RegularKids First Mission: Promote the availability of quality, affordable early childhood care &
education, and provide access to early childhood information and resources.
Kids First Advisory Board Meeting Minutes
Thursday, September 6, 2018
In attendance: Chad Schmit, Beth Cashdan, Stefan Reveal, Matt Zubrod, Rebecca Pascal, Kristen Tullar, Shirley Ritter,
and Nancy Nichols
Early Learning Center – Emily Lambert, Desiree Whitehead, Mark Janian, and Michelle Schindler.
The Early Learning Center presented their Strategic Plan and discussed their mission and vison with the Kids First
Advisory Board. The group had a short open discussion about The Early Learning Center and capacity, the great work
they have done in getting the infant room open, the changes and priorities they have made around staffing, the changes
they have made to maintain staff. Kids First Board ask them about, what additional supports they would like to see and
the supports they would like to see differently. This was a great opportunity for the two boards to talk.
DESIRED OUTCOMES:
• Approve minutes from previous meeting – August minutes are approved, MPU
• Approve a 120-day grace period for The Early Learning Center to reach the capacity requirements of
their lease of room 3. – Approved, Shirley will get the extension to The Early Learning Center in writing.
• Capacity update and next steps –
Stefan and Shirley met with Sara Ott, City of Aspen Assistant City Manager. Their meeting was to discuss the
past progress on childcare capacity and direction for moving forward, including meeting with the city council for
a work-session in November. Sara gave Stefan and Shirley some direction to start the discussion with the Kids
First Advisory Board and City Council. Sara suggested that a council work session on November 13th would be a
great time for the Kids First Advisory Board to introduce the basics of what Kids First does and our impact and
then move to “higher level” discussion about new capacity and moving forward with plans for new space.
Two things that Sara specifically requested are:
#1 – The City of Aspen Asset department will analyze the two potential options for a new childcare building.
Those options are Burlingame and The Yellow Brick. They will provide their findings to the capacity group and
the Kids First Advisory Board for discussion.
#2 – Have a third-party company conduct a childcare capacity and needs survey in the Aspen community.
It was also recommended that the Kids First Advisory Board and staff think of people who can add their stories
to help City Council see and understand the need. It was also suggested that the Kids First staff might have some
good examples of the family needs.
Next step will be for Shirley and the Kids First staff to put together the presentation. The next Kids First Board
meeting will be changed to either Oct 11th or 12th and the slide show will be reviewed. Specific talking points and
information will be given to the Kids First Advisory Board at this meeting and details for the City Council
meeting will be determined.
• Review of the following items:
Colorado Children’s Campaign – a big success, 60 people attended
Health Smiles Summit – Coming up September 15th
Children’s Fair – A great event, planning on next year
Kids First Annual In-service – Thursday, October 25th at The Inn at Aspen please come and join us
PAS Re-certification – Shirley will be gone September 24-28
Zero to Three conference – Shirley will be gone October 3-5
Expanding Quality in Infant and Toddler care (EQIT) – Adley, Megan and Tina (from Wildwood) are becoming
certified and they will be teaching this class to childcare staff beginning in January.
Next meetings: - Kids First Advisory Board
Thursday, October 12th
Thursday, November 1
Thursday, December 6