Contact information: Jennifer Connolly, Director ; Sunshine Preschool & Daycare Center; 101 Creslane Drive, Maquoketa Iowa 52060; Phone 563-652-2847 Email: sunshinejennifer@qwestoffice.net Website: www.sunshinechildren.org Sunshine Preschool & Daycare center is a non-profit 501(c)3, community owned preschool that serves around 170 children each year (ages 6 weeks to 12 years) from neighboring communities. Sunshine was established in 1973 by community leaders and has been managed as a 501c3 by a board of local volunteers ever since. It is unique because it is not private or publicly owned – community volunteers oversee it and hire staff to run it. Operationally, it is dependent upon grants, donations and fundraisers, and payments for services from daycare/preschool clients. Sunshine does not receive any state or federal tax funding. Community leaders from every walk of life have served as board members and volunteers for Sunshine. Their positions range from local city councilmen, downtown business owners, farmers, homemakers to school principals. It is fully licensed and has a history, operation, and setup that sets itself apart from any other Preschool/Daycare center in Iowa.
Ever since its inception, Sunshine's staff and board have dedicated their lives to making a difference in lives of local families. The center is open Monday thru Friday from 5:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Some children of hard working parents arrive as early as 4:45 a.m! Sunshine’s wonderful kitchen staff provides home cooked breakfasts, lunches, and snacks. Staff do not receive large wages or benefits, but they stay because they love children. Sunshine's program provides preschool for children from age 2 thru age 5. Children who are not yet prepared for Kindergarten are given the option of attending a Supplemental Kindergarten Program at Sunshine. This program is setup to mirror a Kindergarten environment and helps children prepare for that next big step. Sunshine also operates a before and after school program at its facility and transports children to and from Maquoketa schools. Children that attend Sunshine develop wonderful emotional, social, and academic skills that prepare them for their future AND they have fun!! They excel in local schools.
Sunshine runs under an extremely tight cash flow since Sunshine is
still making payments on a $414,000 building purchase/remodeling loan.
This puts a strain on payroll and other non-budgeted items. Many staff
members have worked there for over 10 years - some even over 20 years.
These are top-notch, dedicated teachers. I would propose a scholarship
fund be established for financial assistance to teachers wanting to
continue their education. Currently Sunshine’s staff pays 100%
of this cost, unless a special grant or donation is obtained. Sunshine
has a scholarship fund for children who are unable to afford preschool.
In 2007, 37 children from Maquoketa started Kindergarten with no preschool
background. Preschool should be accessible to everyone.
Board of Directors
