CENTRAL BRANCH PRESCHOOL MISSION STATEMENT

To provide a high quality preschool program that encourages children to explore and learn, in a setting that includes children of all races, ethnic backgrounds and socio-economic levels.

Description:
Central Branch is a private non-profit corporation without state or federal support. It is licensed by DSHS and may receive payments for low-income families. It takes contributions to its scholarship fund and has received some foundation support for large capital expenditures. Fund raising efforts by the Board, staff and parents provide tuition assistance to families each year, enabling the school to continue its commitment to education of children of diverse backgrounds. We gave out $26,000.00 in tuition assistance this school year (2006-2007).

Central Branch believes that play is serious business for children. It is their way of rehearsing the connections that will make life meaningful: links between feelings and language, between themselves and others who may look or act quite different. The teachers’ training and experience in early childhood education provides them with a thorough understanding of child development in an unselfconscious environment of freedom and respect between adults and children.

History:
Central Branch was located for many years at 16th and Union in the Central Area of Seattle. Its name dates from its opening in 1968 as a branch of The Little School, now in Bellevue. In September 1980, the school opened in its new home in the Mt. Baker Community Clubhouse. Its neighborhood is an attractive multi-racial community with many young families

Contact people:

Wendy Simmons, Executive Director, (phone), (email) Karen Code, Assistant Director, (phone), (email)

Address:

3605 South Mount Baker Blvd. Seattle, WA 98144 This location is handicap accessible (See a map)

Web Site: None specified

Directions:

Nearest Bus Stop: 14, >1 minute minute walk

Miscellaneous Information

Liability
	Yes
Does your organization welcome court-ordered community service volunteers?
	No
Does your organization have volunteer positions for youth 12-18?
	No