Lutheran, The,  Sep 1999  by Hansen, Christine

Lutheran program honored as one of the best in the country

It's no puzzle why Sycamore Tree Preschool, a ministry of Our Saviour Lutheran Church, Bremerton, Wash., came to be honored as one of the top 10 in the country. Sycamore backs up a commitment to excellence by paying salaries that attract and keep top teachers.

Staff pay was a factor noted by the National Association for the Education of Young Children and the High/Scope Educational Research Foundation in naming Sycamore one of the nation's 10 best. It cited programs that provide high-quality education and pay teachers well-yet keep tuition affordable.

For example, Sycamore charges $105 a month for the pre-K class that meets three days a week for two and a half hours. One similar program in Chicago costs $155 a month.

"People pay us to take care of their children, and we owe them the best that we can give," says Jocelyn Bright, who recently retired as Sycamore's director. "Our teachers earn $14 an hour, but it should be $20." The industry median for teacher pay is $7.80 an hour.

The link between teacher pay and educational excellence is obvious. "Higher compensation leads to lower turnover, which leads to a better program and more consistent staff," says John Scibilia, ELCA director for schools whose office assists about 2,000 preschools. Four of Sycamore's six staff members have been there 10 or more years; all have degrees or certificates in early childhood education.

The Division for Higher Education and Schools is developing guidelines for teacher compensation as a way of encouraging preschools to attract the best teachers.

Excellence in preschools is worth the investment, affirms a recent study, "Cost, Quality, and Child Outcomes in Child Care Centers." Researchers found a connection between child-care quality and later success in school, especially for at-risk students.

Schools, especially church institutions, must work extra hard to pay teachers well while keeping tuition affordable. Sycamore relies on community and church support.

"The preschool is one of the most important local ministries supported by this congregation," Bright says. "It tells the community that this church cares about children and their future."

Copyright Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Sep 1999
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