Kid’s Rec ActivitiesPublic-private partnership model

May 2008

Problems – parent/child perspective

• Parents want enrichment and activities for their young children, but the dispersed model that currently exists results in:

• Countless hours driving to/from activities• Negative environmental impact due to all of the shuttling• Stress associated with getting kids to classes and activities on time• Stress associated with signing up fickle kids for classes that require a time

commitment• Time and mindshare spent figuring out how to fit in various activities into

increasingly complex schedules.• Heavy expense associated with different fees for different classes, especially

when classes are missed or kids change their minds about what they want to do.

All of the above becomes more difficult, complex and stressful with multiple children.

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Problems – business perspective

• More and more businesses are offering activities for children, creating greater competition. It can be difficult to differentiate, so businesses are all competing for a smaller piece of the same pie.

• There’s no coordination among the different offerings, yet a change with one business can impact another business (e.g. a music class schedule change can force a parent to choose between that and a gym class that happens to take place at the same time.)

• It’s difficult to find the ideal space that’s convenient, has adequate parking, is safe and secure, etc.

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Problems – public/park & rec perspective

• There’s a desire to provide a rich offering of activities for kids, but operational expenses are high and it’s challenging to be the only entity footing the bill.

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Solution: Public / Private Omnibus Approach to Tot and Youth Activities

• A single facility where an array of classes are held for an age range (e.g. 0-7 – or ending where the Youth Center picks up…)

• A separate space for each category: music, art, dance, gymnastics, cooking, etc.

• The schedule is coordinated so that at any given time there is something for every age, as well as a free play offering.

• Fees could be handled via a monthly membership (per child or family) or class-by-class.

• Reservations could be made online and in advance for each class, with drop-ins available space permitting.

• No requirements for long-time commitment for classes.

• This is similar to a regular health club, where there is a schedule of classes that any member can take, space permitting. The more popular classes require an online sign-up in advance, though people can always try to drop in if space allows.

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What this means…

• Parents always have a place to go, without having to think too much about what activity is going to take place when. They can participate in activities as it fits their schedule, versus trying to adjust their schedule for desired activities.

• Because of the ‘something for everyone’ model, sibling issues are resolved… siblings don’t have to sit around watching others take a class.

• Everything is simplified… the schedule, the payment, etc. reducing stress all around.

• A greater sense of community is fostered because people have a place to gather instead of everyone being dispersed as they rush from one place to another.

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Sample Schedule

  gym art musicreading/drama dance

outdoor/nature cooking

<1 9am 10am 11am 12pm 1pm 2pm  

one to 2 10am 11am 12pm 1pm 2pm 9am  

two to 3 11am 12pm 1pm 2pm 9am 10am  

three to 4 12pm 1pm 2pm 9am 10am 11am 10am

four to 6 1pm 2pm 9am 10am 11am 12pm 11am

free play/open 2pm 9am 10am 11am 12pm 1pm 12pm

six to 8 3pm 4pm 5pm 6pm 3pm 4pm 1pm

one to 3 4pm 5pm 6pm 3pm 4pm 5pm 2pm

three to 6 5pm 6pm 3pm 4pm 5pm 6pm 3pm

free play 6pm 3pm 4pm 5pm 6pm 3pm 4pm

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Examples of businesses/franchises who might be interested…

Mo Music My Gym The Little Gym

Gymboree Kids Culinary Adventure Kindermusik

Art Safari Pump it Up Celebrate Art!

SCCT Upgrade Reading Dance Mode

A few businesses could opt to share a space. For example, multiple dance teachers could share the dance space and offer different classes throughout the day.

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Other thoughts

• Ideally, this would exist in a newly constructed building where Kiwanis currently exists.

• Another option would be a downtown location

• Perhaps a smaller/scaled-back version of the idea could be implemented for Kiwanis in the short term.

• An added bonus: a café

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Issues/Considerations

• Obviously, thought and consideration would have to be given to how the finances would work, and how to make it workable, financially, from all sides (businesses, City, parents)

• The drop-in schedule would not allow for the same type of progression and class cohesion as a committed course with a set start and end date may provide.

• Though many successful children’s programs have ongoing programs with age-appropriate curriculum.

• Some children’s programs are done via franchises, which may have rules regarding the type of facilities required.

• Some programs, even though they might be interested, are already in established facilities with long-term leases.

• Some business owners may be adverse to having to abide by scheduling requirements (e.g. 2 y/o class that must be at 10am)