Introduction
As a cherished non-profit part-day preschool in Seattle, The Children’s School (TCS) is dedicated to fostering a nurturing, educational environment where young learners can thrive. Our commitment to providing high-quality early childhood education is driven by our mission to support and empower each child’s growth and development. This report outlines our spending for the past fiscal year and highlights the critical need for continued fundraising to sustain and expand our programs.
Financial Overview
1. Revenue Sources
Our revenue for the fiscal year primarily comes from:
Tuition Fees: $519,573.45 93.9%
Donations: $19,272.16 3.5%
Fundraising Events: $5,172.64 0.9%
Other Income: $9,563.05 1.7%
2. Expenditures
Our spending is allocated across several key areas essential for maintaining and enhancing our programs:
Staff Salaries and Benefits: $407,844.43 (71.2%)
This includes competitive salaries for our dedicated teaching and administrative staff, as well as benefits such as health insurance and professional development. Our staff is the backbone of TCS, and investing in their well-being and professional growth is crucial to providing high-quality education.
Educational Materials and Supplies: $6,251.43 (1.1%)
Funds are used to purchase age-appropriate educational materials, toys, and supplies that support our curriculum and enrich the learning experience for our students.
Rent, Facility Maintenance and Utilities: $95,277.76 (16.6%)
Rent, regular maintenance, repairs, and utility costs ensure that our facility remains a safe, welcoming, and conducive environment for learning.
Professional Services: $43,562.85 (7.6%)
This includes accounting, business insurance and cleaning services required to maintain a well-functioning school. The costs of processing tuition payments are also included in this amount (though are off-set by the respective families when they pay their tuition).
Administrative Costs: $19,780.25 3.5%
Essential administrative expenses include office supplies, technology, and other operational costs necessary for the smooth running of our preschool.
Scholarships and Financial Aid: $9,250 (1.7%)
We provide financial assistance to families in need to ensure that all children have access to the high-quality education we offer, regardless of their economic background.
The Importance of Fundraising
Our goal at The Children’s School is to provide high-quality early childhood education at a reasonable price. Part of that mission means we want to ensure our teachers receive a fair salary and health insurance. As the cost of living in Seattle continues to rise, the costs to run a preschool and to pay our staff fairly exceed what we are willing to charge for tuition. This gap underscores the critical importance of fundraising for our continued success and sustainability. Here’s why fundraising is essential:
Program Expansion: Additional funds enable us to expand and diversify our programs, including developing new curriculum initiatives and offering extracurricular activities that enrich our students' educational experiences.
Facility Improvements: Fundraising helps us invest in necessary upgrades and enhancements to our facility, ensuring a safe, engaging, and modern learning environment.
Staff Development: Ongoing professional development is vital for our staff to stay current with best practices in early childhood education. Fundraising provides the resources needed for training and workshops.
Scholarships and Financial Aid: Increased funds allow us to offer more scholarships and financial aid, making our preschool accessible to a broader range of families and ensuring that no child is excluded due to financial constraints.
Unforeseen Expenses: As with any non-profit, unexpected expenses can arise. Having a robust fundraising strategy helps us build a reserve to address these challenges without compromising our core programs.
