Brightest Horizons Child Development Center Inc

“The executive committee is made up of the officers of the board of directors and has the complete authority of the board between general meetings. Although the executive/finance committee can act on behalf of the board they did not take any actions during the two summer months when the board did not meet. Their meetings were to look over the operations and financial condition of the orgnization. If any action would have been required, they would have made a recommendation to the board, and then asked for an e-mail approval before any action was taken.”

“A draft form 990 will be presented to the board for their review and approval prior to filing with the irs.”

“Board members are required to sign a conflict of interest policy annually. Following full disclosure of a possible conflict of interest or any condition listed above, the board of directors shall determine whether a conflict of interest exists and, if so the board shall vote to authorize or reject the transaction or take any other action deemed necessary to address the conflict and protect gladiolus learning and development center best interests. Both votes shall be by a majority vote without counting the vote of any interested director, even if the disinterested directors are less than a quorum provided that at least one consenting director is disinterested. An interested board member, officer, or staff member shall not participate in any discussion or debate of the board of directors, or of any committee or subcommittee thereof in which the subject of discussion is a contract, transaction, or situation in which there may be a perceived or actual conflict of interest. However, they may be present to provide clarifying information in such a discussion or debate unless objected to by any present board or committee member.”

“When the current executive director was hired the selection committee did check with other centers to see what the salary ranges were for those positions and used that information to set the salary range for the current executive director. The executive director has a performance review by the committee of the board of directors and that committee makes a recommendation to the board for changes in salary. The review of the executive director's compensation was performed last year.”

“The organization does not make these documents available to the general public.”

“Gladiolus learning and development center, inc. (glad kids) is committed to providing educational and developmental child care for children of low income working families and to strive to provide for the social, emotional, economic, and developmental needs of those children and their families. The harlem heights neighborhood is made up primarily of the working poor. We try to determine what needs our families have and then match them with agencies that can assist them with their needs if it is beyond our scope of programming which is educational child care.”

“Child care: gladiolus learning and development center, inc. Formerly known as brightest horizons is licensed to care for 163 children. It is our choice to serve low income working families. The harlem heights neighborhood is home to 1,200 children under the age of 18. Thirty-six percent of harlem heights' families live below the federal poverty level which enables them to be eligible for subsidized child care if government funding is available. We are able to provide child care for families who receive government subsidies because we are determined to raise financial assistance required to meet the funding gap between what is reimbursed and what it actually costs to care for a child. When funds are available through donations, we offer other limited scholarship programs for families. We continue to operate near full capacity, with an average of 6 child care spaces open on a monthly basis. Families who receive subsidies are required to have their eligibility determined through the early learning coalition in order to qualify for care. As parents "disqualify" due to a cut in work hours, a change in employment that was not communicated, or other various reasons, we lose children. These child care spots are difficult to fill without subsidy programs. The current wait list for child care in lee county is close to 3,000 children. Gladiolus center participates in the child care executive partnership program with the early learning coalition which enables residents of harlem heights to qualify for subsidies. Gladiolus center commits $50,000 yearly to this program, the state funds a portion, and the parent pays a portion. Gladiolus center has child care openings, but is unable to bring children in because subsidies are limited. Working together within the community, we try to reach all families that need our services. We are committed to providing care for children up to the age of 12, which forces us to provide financial assistance for the children in the 9-12 year old age bracket to ensure a safe, educational after school setting while their parents are at work. Gladiolus center tries to meet the needs of all families requiring services. The voluntary pre-kindergarten program offered by gladiolus center, in conjunction with the state of florida, department of education, readies children to attend kindergarten in the fall. Vpk allows all children age 4, to participate in an educationally based preschool program to ensure they have the pre readiness skills required to enter kindergarten. At gladiolus center, over half of the children we have enrolled in the program come to us with limited english. With the support our children receive from staff and volunteers, children are able to make the transition into kindergarten in august. Our programs allow children to grow, learn and thrive. We are nationally accredited through the accredited professional preschool learning environment, known as apple and have been awarded the gold seal of excellence by the state of florida. Our programs provide a secure and enriching environment that serves the children of low-income working families. It is because of our ability to do goodwill that we have never had to say "no" to any family that could not afford to provide quality early education and care for their child. Two nourishing meals and snacks are provided for the children so they may grow. Developing minds cannot concentrate on academics if tummies are growling or wondering where the next meal will come from. The educational program is based on the creative curriculum designed to specifically meet the social, emotional, physical and developmental needs of the children cared for allowing them to learn. Together with the education, care, love and emotional needs being met through our family environment, our children are empowered to thrive and build a better future. Put simply, our goal is to be a unique part of their growth process. Gladiolus center is located in front of heights elementary school”

“Bad debt write-offs -12,489.”