Request for Proposal
Childcare Provider
September 1st, 2017
Page | 1 The City of Winooski is seeking a high-quality childcare provider to lease space at the O'Brien Community Center (OCC) at 32 Mallets Bay Ave, Winooski. This includes up to $95,000 available through a subgrant from the Wellnooski Steering Committee as part of the Promise Community Initiative under the State of Vermont Child Development Division. Typical lease provisions will apply.
Background of Wellnooski The Wellnooski Steering Committee is a multi-stakeholder group working to improve educational and developmental outcomes for children in Winooski. Wellnooski includes partners from Howard Center, UVM Medical, State of Vermont Department of Health, Building Bright Futures, United Way of Northwest Vermont, City of Winooski, Winooski School District, and Winooski Family Center.
Currently, the City of Winooski has one licensed full-time childcare center, one full-time Pre-K classroom, and several half-time Pre-K classrooms. Wellnooski is looking for an operator for a full-time, licensed childcare which will offer enrollment for infant through Pre-K to Winooski residents, people employed in Winooski, and the non-resident general public.
The City of Winooski has space available in the O'Brien Community Center (OCC) at 32 Malletts Bay Avenue which it intends to dedicate to a childcare center. The space available includes the following:
Up to 3,483 sq ft of indoor space.
$14/sq ft gross.
This space has been reviewed by a Licensing Specialist from CDD, and can be retrofit as a licensed childcare space.
Wellnooski has $95,000 available for an operator to assist with startup and retrofit costs associated with opening or relocating to the O'Brien Community Center (OCC).
Tenant Preference Wellnooski is seeking a childcare provider who will develop a high-quality, licensed childcare program maintaining a 3-5 STAR rating from the Child Development Division of the Vermont Department for Children and Families. Wellnooski is also accepting proposals from new programs who may not already be licensed or participating in the STARS system. Supporting documentation for new programs is included in a supplement below.
A successful program will minimally demonstrate evidence of the following: 1. An educational program which ensures the optimal physical, social, emotional, and intellectual development of each enrolled child. 2. A safe, healthy and nurturing environment; 3. A clear and supportive organizational culture which reflects the best practices in early care and education;
Page | 2 4. The ability to develop and maintain appropriate partnerships with families and other community stakeholders; and 5. Strategies for assisting each child in the development of positive self-worth through personal successes and positive reinforcement. 6. Rates competitive with other commercially available programs of similar quality in Chittenden County. 7. A Specialized Care Provider, or for new programs, a plan to become a Specialized Care Provider and 3-5 STAR program within the first three years of operation.
The following preferences will be required: 1. At least 40% subsidy-eligible slots. 2. Preference for open slots will be given in this order: (1) Winooski residents (2) Winooski employees and (3) non-resident general public
Interested childcare operators are invited to submit proposals as noted below. To schedule a site visit or submit materials please contact the Children and Family Programs Manager: Kirstie Paschall 27 West Allen St Winooski, VT 05404 [email protected] 802-233-8188
Submission via Email in PDF format is required.
Anticipated RFP Schedule Activity Submission Requirements Date RFP Distribution September 1st, 2017
Site Visits RSVP with Kirstie Paschall via email: September 12th, 2017, [email protected] 9am-10:30am
Email Letter of Intent deadline Submit via email by 4pm: September 15th, 2017 [email protected] Deadline for questions Submit via email by 4pm: September 27th, 2017 [email protected] Response to Questions Questions and answers will be posted by October 2nd , 2017 Noon at www.winooskivt.org/children- family-programs Application and Supporting Submit via email by 4pm: October 13th, 2017 Materials Due [email protected] Finalists Notified Via email by Kirstie Paschall October 20th, 2017
Finalists Interviews Schedule with Kirstie Paschall via email October 23rd-27th, 2017
Selected Provider Notified By Kirstie Paschall, via Email November 1st, 2017
Page | 3 Lease submitted to Winooski City Presented during regular Council meeting. November 6th, 2017 Council for approval Application Cover Sheet
1. Operator/Business Name: 2. Name, title, and contact information for principal contact for this RFP: 3. Approximately how many children do you anticipate serving in this location:
Infant Toddler Preschool
4. Approximately how many classrooms do you anticipate in this location? 5. What are your hours of operation? 6. How many employees do you have (for Multi-site programs, please include total across all sites)? a. How many employees would be located on the premises? 7. What percentage of your total operations would be located on the premises? 8. In the chart below, enter the number of children enrolled, both full and part time, in the indicated categories. Some children will fall in more than one category. For multi-site programs, please provide the total across all sites. For new programs, please move on to the next section.
Infant Toddler Preschool (up to 23 (24–35 (3 -5yr) mos.) mos.) TOTAL # OF ENROLLED CHILDREN IN EACH AGE GROUP Current number of children with families paying regular tuition/fees (receiving no other support) Current number of children funded through scholarships
Current number of children receiving childcare Financial Assistance (subsidy) Current number of children receiving Head Start/Early Head Start funding
9. Provide proof that you carry insurance coverage. 9. Provide a minimum of three references, including at least one landlord and one customer.
Narrative Briefly describe your history and background.
Page | 4 Existing Childcare Providers
Specifically identify the method and manner in which you propose to provide childcare services with an emphasis on the following items:
Goals, objectives and program philosophy, including philosophy on socioemotional development and behavior management.
o A description of how communication and family engagement/involvement practices are adapted for families with barriers such as language access, financial access, transportation, etc. o Materials related to Program Curriculum as defined in Section 6 of childcare Licensing Regulations, including a description of how the materials and equipment used to implement the curriculum will reflect diversity, including gender, ethnicity, age, culture, language, and abilities. o A description of program supports for children with special needs as defined in Section 6.3 of childcare Licensing Regulations and how your staff will receive training on how to meet their needs and the needs of the family. o Annual calendar including closures, events, or conferences, as well as an anticipated daily schedule for this location. For STARs Accredited programs, include any documentation from your most recent STARs Annual Report. The most recent Site Visit Report from Child Development Division. For multi-site programs, please submit the most recent report for each site.
New Childcare Providers Please include a detailed plan for the following: Goals, objectives and program philosophy, including philosophy on socioemotional development and behavior management. A description of how communication and family engagement/involvement practices are adapted for families with barriers such as language access, financial access, transportation, etc. Program Curriculum as defined in Section 6 of childcare Licensing Regulations, including a description of how the materials and equipment used to implement the curriculum will reflect diversity, including gender, ethnicity, age, culture, language, and abilities. Obtaining a license from the Child Development Division, including: o Any work completed thus far in initial licensure o Any history in working with the Child Development Division o For new programs with previously existing licenses please include the names, license numbers and certificates, and site visit information for any previous licenses including registered or licensed homes. Becoming accredited through STARS, including an approximate timeline and plan for reaching 3 STARS.
Page | 5 Becoming a Specialized Care Provider.
Program Budget and Grant Narratives
Provide a budget and narrative for the use of the $95,000 subgrant from Wellnooski.
o What is the anticipated scope of work?
o What is the anticipated timeline for scope of work, from selection in November, 2017 to opening of a new center?
Provide a preliminary budget for the first year of center operation and childcare fees, including:
o the method of calculating all fees charged to enrolled families
o a plan on how increases in childcare fees will be planned over the duration of the contract
o policies and procedures for how fees will be collected
o policies for exemption from payment, e.g. extended illness, dis-enrolling over the summer, disenrolling during school year due parent sabbatical, maternity/family leave of absence
o breakdown of expenses for the operation of the center, e.g. staff salaries, staff training, program supplies, equipment, parking costs for staff
o information on provider status (for-profit or non-profit) and how any profit from the center budget will be expended
Conditions Failure to comply with provisions of the RFP may result in rejection. Responses will not be returned. The City of Winooski and Wellnooski reserve the right, without qualification, to select a childcare provider for contract negotiations based solely on the content of the responses. Prospective childcare providers may not attempt to access the premises for any purpose related to this RFP except when accompanied by a designee of the City.
Reservations Issuance of this RFP does not commit City of Winooski (The City), the Wellnooski Steering Committee (Wellnooski), or the Child Development Division/Department of Children and Families (CDD) to pay any costs incurred in the preparation and submission of a response, or to
Page | 6 procure a contract for any services. No materials or labor will be furnished by The City, Wellnooski or CDD. The City, Wellnooski, and CDD do not guarantee that it will proceed to negotiations or contracting with any vendor.
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