named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Infant Program
Serves children from eight weeks old in a nurturing environment with low teacher-to-child ratios (1:3 to 1:4), focusing on bonding, sensory exploration, and foundational development.
Kendal Program
A satellite location offering toddler and preschool programming at Kendal at Ithaca, integrating intergenerational opportunities within a retirement community setting.
Pre-K Program
Pre-kindergarten program focused on fostering independence, enthusiasm for learning, and school readiness through activities like choice time, circle time, small group projects, and book bunch.
School Age Program
Serves children in kindergarten through fifth grade with after-school and summer camp programming, featuring a 1:10 counselor-to-child ratio and activities that support continued learning and social development.
Toddler Program
Serves children aged 18 months to 3 years with a mixed-age classroom model that supports social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development through child-centered active learning.
activities · 10 groups
What they do
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Play-Based Early Childhood Education 2 activities
- Delivers structured Pre-K and toddler curriculumProvides developmentally appropriate daily programming for toddlers and pre-K children, including circle time, small group instruction, choice time, “Book Bunch” literacy sessions, and creative activities such as painting, building, and pretend play. Emphasizes autonomy, peer relationships, and cognitive growth across all domains.
- Implements Continuity of Care model for infants and toddlersOperates a Continuity of Care program in infant and toddler classrooms since 2003, ensuring children remain with the same primary caregiver and peer group for an average of three years. Group sizes gradually increase from 6 to 10 children based on developmental stage, with low teacher-to-child ratios (1:3 to 1:5) and individualized care routines.
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Pediatric Medical Care and Research Support 1 activity
- Funds and sponsors community cultural eventsFunds or co-sponsors performances in the Hangar Theatre Kiddstuff series and State Theatre Family Series, and sponsors distribution of the book "Chugga-Chugga Choo-Choo" to families at pediatric well visits for 12-month-old children.
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Community Festival & Event Production 1 activity
- Hosts annual family and fundraising eventsOrganizes annual community events including the "Things on Wheels" family event each June and participation in the Ithaca Festival parade, fostering community engagement and outreach.
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Intergenerational Connection Programs 1 activity
- Offers intergenerational and community-based programmingOperates intergenerational programming at the IC3@Kendal site connecting children with elderly individuals, and organizes regular attendance at cultural performances (Kiddstuff at Hangar Theatre, State Theatre Family Series) to enrich children’s learning experiences.
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Summer Day Camp Programs 1 activity
- Operates summer camp and after-school programsRuns a summer camp program for children entering kindergarten through 5th grade, featuring themed weekly activities, field trips, swimming, arts and crafts, and guest visits. Also offers after-school care with transportation from local schools, full-day care on school closure days, enrichment activities (e.g., science, cooking, photography), and daily snacks.
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Early Childhood Education & Development Programs 1 activity
- Provides early childhood education and childcare servicesOffers full-day and part-day childcare and educational programs for children ages 8 weeks to 12 years, including infant, toddler, pre-K, after-school, and summer camp programs at multiple locations in Ithaca, NY. Services operate Monday through Friday with structured daily activities supporting emotional, social, cognitive, and physical development.
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Early Childhood Education Financial Assistance 1 activity
- Provides financial assistance and tuition supportOffers scholarships or childcare assistance to 30% of enrolled families to ensure access to high-quality early childhood programs, funded in part by annual fundraising efforts.
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CACFP Meal Service and Administration 1 activity
- Provides nutrition and maintains health-safe environmentProvides three daily meals—morning snack, lunch, and afternoon snack—prepared by a full-time cook. Maintains a peanut- and tree nut-free environment requiring nut-free packed lunches, and ensures on-demand feeding and diapering for infants based on family input and observation.
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Family-School Engagement Programs 1 activity
- Supports family engagement and communicationFacilitates strong family-caregiver partnerships through daily verbal and written communication (including feeding, napping, and mood logs), weekly take-home reports, parent-teacher conferences, and an open-door policy that supports breastfeeding and family involvement in care routines.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Maintains high program quality and staff stabilityHolds NAEYC accreditation and a 4-star rating in Quality Stars NY as of 2024. Maintains low teacher turnover with an average staff tenure of 16 years and 71% of teachers employed for 10 or more years, supporting program consistency and quality care.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$5.36M
Contributions & grants$850K16%
Program service revenue$4.28M80%
Investment income$228K4%
Other revenue$11K
expenses
Total expenses$4.45M
Program expenses85%
Admin / overhead15%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$3.54M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$6.86M
Cash$2.36M
Investments$0
Liabilities$2.69M
Net assets$4.17M
Liquid reserves6.4 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +9.3%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 5
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SHERRI KOSKI | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $154K |
| JEANNE MALONE | PROGRAM DIRECTOR | 40 | $104K |
| KATIE SWEATT | BOARD MEMBER | 40 | $55K |
| ASHLEIGH DILDINE | BOARD MEMBER | 40 | $48K |
| TAISHA DICKERSON | BOARD MEMBER | 6 | $9K |
board members · 14
- ADWOA MANU-BOATENG — BOARD MEMBER
- ALYSSA FONTAINE — BOARD MEMBER
- CALEB YU — BOARD MEMBER
- DAVID HERRICK — VICE-PRESIDENT
- EILEEN GRAVANI — BOARD MEMBER
- ERICA LAWLOR — BOARD MEMBER
- EVAN KOPELSON — PRESIDENT
- LAUREN MARINO — SECRETARY
- MATTHEW HEDGE — BOARD MEMBER
- MEGAN THORSFELDT — BOARD MEMBER
- SARAH TOMEI — BOARD MEMBER
- SIMON WORKMAN — TREASURER
- TJ LEONARDO — PAST PRESIDENT
- TRAVIS BURKETT — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 20
Who they work with
- Family Reading Partnership Partner — Partners with IC3 to distribute books to families through the Books to Grow On program and promote early literacy in the Ithaca community.
- Gayogo̱hó:nǫˀ (Cayuga Nation) Government — Acknowledges the Cayuga Nation as the traditional stewards of the land where the center operates.
- Gayogo̱hó:nǫˀ (Cayuga Nation) Government — Center acknowledges the Cayuga Nation as the traditional stewards of the land on which it operates.
- Hangar Theatre Partner — Receives sponsorship and co-sponsorship from IC3 for its Kiddstuff performances, which enrolled children regularly attend.
- ITHACA COMMUNITY CHILDCARE CENTER INC Partner — Operates the infant program with a primary caregiver model and continuity of care.
- Iron Design Partner — Designs and maintains the organization's website.
- Ithaca City School District Partner — Partners with the Ithaca City School District to provide busing and coordinate scheduling for after-school and full-day care programs.
- Ithaca Festival Partner — Participates in the Ithaca Festival parade annually.
- Kendal Partner — Collaborates with Kendal on an intergenerational childcare program where IC3 children and Kendal residents coexist in a shared environment.
- Kendal at Ithaca Partner — Collaborates on intergenerational programming at the IC3@Kendal site.
- NAEYC Network — Member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children, meeting its accreditation standards.
- National Association for the Education of Young Children Network — Accredited member of NAEYC, meeting national standards for early childhood education.
- National Association for the Education of Young Children Network — Accrediting body for Ithaca Community Childcare Center
- New York State Government — Participates in New York State's Quality Stars rating and improvement system for early childhood programs.
- New York State Campaign for Continuity Partner — Partnered with IC3 in promoting the Continuity of Care model.
- New York State Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) Government — Partners with CCAP to serve families receiving child care assistance in Tompkins County and other counties across New York State.
- New York State Office of Children and Family Services Government — Licensing agency for Ithaca Community Childcare Center
- QUALITYstarsNY Network — Quality recognition and improvement initiative in which IC3 participates
- State Theatre Partner — Receives sponsorship and co-sponsorship from IC3 for its Family Series performances, which enrolled children regularly attend.
- Teaching Strategies, Inc. Partner — References curriculum guidance from Teaching Strategies, Inc. in foundational materials for early childhood education.
strategies · 5
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.
- Child-Centered Active Learningmethodology: child-centered_active_learningBy designing learning experiences around children's intrinsic motivation, developmental needs, and interests, we foster deeper engagement and meaningful development across social, emotional, cognitive, and physical domains because learning is most effective when it is initiated and driven by the child.
- Continuity of Care Modelmethodology: continuity_of_careBy maintaining stable, long-term relationships between children and caregivers across developmental stages, we promote secure attachment and trust, which enhances emotional security and learning outcomes because consistent relationships provide a foundation for healthy development.
- Culturally Responsive Curriculummethodology: culturally-responsive-curriculumBy integrating children's family cultures, home experiences, and talents into classroom activities, we create a more personalized and reflective learning environment that validates identity and strengthens engagement because children learn best when they see themselves in the curriculum.
- Family-Teacher Partnershipmethodology: family_teacher_partnershipBy fostering mutual sharing of information between parents and teachers, we create a collaborative support system that enhances children's development because consistent, bidirectional communication strengthens alignment between home and school environments.
- Relationship-Based Caremethodology: relationship-based_careBy investing in sustained, close relationships between children and caregivers, we ensure high-quality early learning and emotional security, because these relationships are foundational to trust, safety, and developmental progress.