AAL Opens Doors of Child Learning Center to Work With Appleton Area School District.

Business Editors

APPLETON, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 30, 2001

School, business collaboration unprecedented in Wisconsin 

Aid Association for Lutherans (AAL) and the Appleton Area School District (AASD) have announced that they will now work together to provide early childhood care at the AAL Child Learning Center. AAL will turn over the management of the center to AASD this spring, helping the district relieve some of its need for kindergarten classroom space and allowing the district to launch a new child care initiative.

Under AASD's management, the center will continue to offer child care to AAL employees and other parents who have children 6 weeks to 6 years old. AAL will continue to own and maintain the facility, located on AAL's home office grounds, while AASD will be responsible for staffing, programming and administering the center. This is the first known child care arrangement of its kind between a school district and a business in the state.

"This integrated approach completely reshapes how schools and businesses can work together--it takes them to a whole new level," said Tom Scullen, superintendent of AASD. "I envision that this is only the beginning of school-run early childhood centers in the district that are developed in cooperation with other businesses."

Scullen explained that the initiative may provide the school district with a model to effectively work with other area child care providers.

"Many children can benefit from a high-quality, developmentally appropriate early childhood experience with a professionally certified teacher," said Scullen. "We hope to work with other agencies to determine how the district can strengthen relationships and provide services that will be beneficial to young children in the community."

"This arrangement speaks strongly of AAL's commitment to its employees, area families and the community," said Marty Myse, assistant vice president of AAL corporate benefits.

Historically, low pay and employee retention have been a problem in the childcare industry. This has been less of a factor at the AAL Child Learning Center because pay is higher than the industry average. Still, turning the management of the center over to the school district will help retain high-quality teachers and strong site leadership.

"It's hard to find a balance between the income a teacher or caregiver needs and what parents can pay for child care," said Myse. "Because income and retention rates are higher in the school district, we will be able to offer a more stable environment of learning and growth for children at the center."

The AASD has approximately 50 teachers with four or more years of study in early childhood education and development. A new teaching principal will be hired to oversee the center. The center's current staff of approximately 50 child caregivers will be offered positions with the school district.

The school district receives state funding for every student over age 4. Under the new arrangement, state funds for kindergarten students, along with tuition, will be used to run the center. Scullen also sees potential for a considerable cost-savings in the management of the center.

"As a large school district, we have considerable buying power that will reduce the cost of food service, administration, supplies and more at the center," said Scullen. "The surpluses will go to curriculum development, teachers' salaries and possibly a reduction in tuition for child care."

The AAL Child Learning Center is the largest corporate on-site child care center in Wisconsin. Currently, more than 200 children are enrolled at the center. In addition to AAL employees, personnel from Kimberly-Clark Corp., Touchpoint Health Plan and residential neighbors of the center use the center for child care. It features areas for infants, toddlers, preschoolers and two to three classrooms that can accommodate up to 50 kindergarten students from area schools.

"In an overflow situation, school districts often use a separate building such as a church for a classroom," said Scullen. "Using AAL's center will allow us to put these children in a warm, interactive environment that is set up for children to learn and play with others in their age group."

According to Scullen, the La Crosse School District has a similar partnership with private day-care centers and community agencies to provide preschool, but not infant, care. Another major difference between the two programs is that AASD is taking over the management of AAL's center.

Scullen also explained that this working arrangement may benefit high school students taking child development courses in preparation for a career in child care. "High school students could expand and enhance their educational experiences through practical experiences at the center," he said.

The collaboration builds on AAL's long-standing commitment to education in Appleton. Currently, more than 30 AAL employees serve as volunteers or tutors for grade school, junior high and high school students. Last year, AAL employees gave more than 880 volunteer hours to area schools.

AASD serves approximately 15,000 students, kindergarten through grade 12, in 25 Appleton area schools.

A Fortune 500 organization, AAL is a fraternal benefit society of 1.8 million members who join together for insurance, educational and volunteer opportunities. Investment products are offered through AAL affiliates.