By MICHELE MILLER HOUCK
DavidsonNews.net

The mood this week at the Davidson-Cornelius Day Care Center was joyous as teachers, parents and friends gathered to take stock after a year of tremendous challenges and to celebrate a fund-raising drive that saved it from closing. The center announced that it has received more than $105,000 from the community after a call for help in late August.

“The financial situation has stabilized over the past four months,” said John Venzon, the center’s interim chief financial officer. “The original goal was met after about 2½ weeks of intensive effort, and the community has just kept going. The outpouring of support has been outstanding.”

Successful fund-raising is not the only thing the center was celebrating this week. A letter to supporters from board President Carol Higham outlines a whole list of successes – including increasing enrollment from the low of 27 to 37 children.

Interim director Courtenay O’Neil, who started work in September as a volunteer, will become the center’s permanent director and start to draw a paycheck in January.

“The past few months have been a great experience for me,” says Ms. O’Neil. “When I came here in September, I found a group of committed teachers and families. Add the community support that we have experienced, and it really feels like I have joined a new family.”

Child Care Resources has assessed the teachers’ educational records, the classroom environment and made recommendations. Ms. O’Neil says that teachers are already implementing these changes in order to improve the center’s star rating.

The task force led by Mr. Venzon and mayors John Woods of Davidson and Jeff Tarte of Cornelius presented its final report to the board this week. Recommendations include a marketing study, business plan and budget.  Mr. Venzon indicated that the center is pursuing strategic partnerships that could be announced soon.

Another change in the administration of the center’s operations includes hiring part-time bookkeeper Diane Dreffer to manage the day-to-day finances.

Dr. Higham thanked supporters for their generous support and commitment to the day care. She cited the ability to continue the program as one of the greatest successes.

Dr. Higham will complete her term as Board President on Jan. 1. Replacing her will be current board member and Davidson College vice president Eileen Keeley. The current board is working to add members with expertise in finance, marketing and fund-raising.

DOCUMENT

Dec. 12, 2009, Letter from Davidson-Cornelius Day Care board president Carol Higham to supporters, outlining the turnaround at the center. PDF document. CLICK HERE>

http://davidsonnews.net/documents/121809_daycare.pdf

PREVIOUS COVERAGE

See DavidsonNews.net’s previous coverage of the financial troubles and fund-raising to save the Davidson-Cornelius Day Care, CLICK HERE>