named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Community Field Trips
Regular local excursions to places like Taughannock Falls State Park, Trumansburg library, fire station, farms, and schools to build community awareness and experiential learning
Extended Care
Option for preschool children to stay until 4:45 pm, providing before and after school care
Half-Day Preschool
Play-based program for children ages 3 to 5, offered two, three, or five mornings per week from 8am to noon, following the Trumansburg Elementary school calendar
Summer Program
Theme-based camp weeks offered during summer for enrolled toddlers and preschoolers, available in half-day and extended-day formats
Toddler Classroom
Program for children ages 18 months to 3 years, available two, three, or five days per week in half-day or extended-day formats
activities · 7 groups
What they do
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Family-School Engagement Programs 2 activities
- Communicate regularly with familiesDistributes a monthly newsletter with schedules, news, and upcoming activities, and provides daily feedback to parents through projects, informal conversations, observations, and parent-teacher conferences.
- Engage parents in classroom and program activitiesInvites parents to participate in classrooms by reading, playing, assisting with projects, sharing careers and hobbies, and providing healthy snacks. Parent involvement is integrated into daily operations and educational programming.
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Educational Field Trips and Experiential Outings 1 activity
- Conduct educational field trips and community visitsOrganizes regular field trips to local community sites including Taughannock Falls State Park, libraries, fire and police stations, senior living facilities, schools, healthcare providers, farms, and orchards, with frequent family participation.
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Organizational Governance & Leadership Development 1 activity
- Facilitate family involvement in governance and operationsFamilies contribute to program feedback, facility maintenance, budget oversight, and fundraising coordination, reflecting a cooperative governance model.
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PTA/PTO Communication & Engagement Coordination 1 activity
- Host parent committees and family social eventsHosts regular child-friendly parent committee meetings to facilitate communication with teachers and organizes social events throughout the year to strengthen community ties among families.
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Play-Based Early Childhood Education 1 activity
- Operate preschool and toddler programsProvides half-day and extended-day preschool programs for children ages 3–5, and toddler programs for children 18 months to 3 years, with flexible weekly attendance options. Programs are offered two, three, or five days per week and supported by teachers and parent helpers.
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Before and After School Childcare 1 activity
- Provide extended-day care and summer programsOffers extended care for preschool children from early morning until 4:45 pm, as well as a themed summer camp program with half-day and extended-day options for enrolled toddlers and preschoolers.
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Early Childhood Education & Development Programs 1 activity
- Support child development through holistic educationProvides an educational environment focused on nurturing the emotional, social, cognitive, and physical development of young children.
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financials · form 990EZ · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$197K
Contributions & grants$75K38%
Program service revenue$109K55%
Investment income$3K1%
Other revenue—
expenses
Total expenses$231K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits$136K
Grants paid out$10K
balance sheet
Total assets$219K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$211K
4 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +48.8%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DEBRA AUSTIC | DIRECTOR | 30 | $39K |
board members · 6
- JACKIE PULEO — TRUSTEE
- JILLIAN SENNER — TRUSTEE
- KATELIN OLSEN — TRUSTEE
- PAULA VALENCIA-ARIZA — TRUSTEE
- SAMIRA BAIDA — TRUSTEE
- TIM CONNOLLY — TRUSTEE
relationships · 7
Who they work with
- Deb Austic Government — Director of Trumansburg Community Nursery School, serving as primary contact for enrollment and operations.
- Juniper Manor Partner — Community site visited during regular field trips to build awareness of local institutions.
- Juniper Manor Partner — Senior living facility visited as part of intergenerational community engagement.
- Taughannock Falls State Park Partner — Site for seasonal hikes and outdoor education activities.
- Taughannock Falls State Park Partner — Site for seasonal hikes and outdoor educational activities by preschool classes.
- Trumansburg Library Partner — Regular destination for field trips by preschool classes.
- Trumansburg Library Partner — Regularly visited for educational outings and community engagement.
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Community-Integrated Experiential Learningmethodology: community-based_learningBy leveraging proximity to local institutions and incorporating walkable field trips, we deepen learning and community connection because real-world, sensory-rich experiences make education tangible and meaningful for young children.
- Parent Cooperative Modelmethodology: parent_cooperativeBy integrating families as active participants in school operations, we enhance the educational environment and child outcomes because shared responsibility strengthens community, increases engagement, and models collaborative values for children.
- Play-Based, Whole-Child Development Modelmethodology: play-based_learningBy using child-centered, play-based learning, we develop social, emotional, physical, and intellectual skills because free play fosters executive function, interpersonal abilities, and intrinsic motivation essential for lifelong success.