2008 Grant Proposal Details

Playground Enhancement for Nursery   Opportunity Center

Total: $1924

Description:  The Opportunity Center has served teen mothers and fathers and their children for over 25 years. However in the last 5 years the nursery underwent great changes to become recognized as a state certified facility. This year we are focusing on enhancing the outdoor play area for the children. We are hoping to purchase play structures for infants and toddlers to encourage outdoor play. This proposal includes $2000.00 of equipment that will build a variety of developmental skills in the age group that we serve.

Why is this important?  Outdoor play is important because our kids really gain a sense of mastery and competency of skills from outdoor play. When they do something like climb up a ladder for the first time they feel successful. They also gain important physical skills when they have outdoor equipment that is appropriate for their age. They are building gross and fine motor skills and the equipment we wish to purchase would encourage using these muscle groups. In activities such as water play or sand play, kids are pouring sand back and forth into containers of different sizes, shapes, and volume. This is why we are requesting water and sand toys. Also, playing outdoors in the winter is very important. Germs tend to thrive in indoor environments. Children should spend a good portion of their day outdoors to stay healthy. We wish to encourage this habit by providing fun outdoor activities. Lastly, the parents of these children, as well as other teen workers in the nursery can witness firsthand the benefits of outdoor play for small children. They will have a daily opportunity to spend some quality time in a proper outdoor environment.

Who will be served?  Throughout the year we serve approximately 40 infants and toddlers, 50 pregnant and parenting students, and over 100 nursery workers and volunteers. This project would serve approximately 190 students and babies.

How will this be evaluated?  At the beginning of each child's stay in our nursery we evaluate their current developmental ability with an assessment called an ASQ. The Ages and Stages questionnaire (ASQ) is a device used to evaluate an increase or decrease in a child's developmental abilities. I would expect to see an increase in 4 developmental areas based on more time spent outdoors. I believe we would see an increase in both fine and gross motor skills, problem solving abilities, and social behavior. These are areas that the teen parents often struggle with themselves, so the more we can focus on them in the nursery, the better off the infants and toddlers will be. We also are visited by a state certifier annually, and she could assist in evaluating the success of our outdoor enhancement based on her knowledge and research of effective childcare structures.

Does this build on existing programs?  BuildOnExisting: Five years ago when we made massive renovations in our nursery to become state certified and we didn't have enough funding to complete all projects. The outdoor play area is one of the projects that needs completion. This enhancement would build upon an already fantastic nursery program and it would benefit the entire student body by increasing their access to more appropriate areas to interact with the infants outside of the nursery setting.

Budget:  Budget: The money would be spent on the following: - $1,359.98 on a "Playful Ultimate Backyard Combo" which includes a playhouse, climber and swing, sandbox, teeter totter and picnic table. - $89.98 on a "River Run Waterpark with Umbrella" - $373.95 on a Play Panel Product - $100.00 for sand

Proposal #:  86