Child Care Facility to be Available in Lynden!
Healthy Futures Lynden, in collaboration with the Opportunity Council’s Center for Retention & Expansion of Child Care (C-RECC), announce a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for an experienced child care provider to partner in the planning, development, and eventual leasing of a new child care facility in Lynden.
Purpose of Request for Qualifications (RFQ)
Healthy Futures Lynden, through C-RECC support, is seeking qualified applicants with the shared goal of increasing the capacity of childcare and early learning opportunities in Lynden. This opportunity will involve participation in the planning and development of a new facility. Healthy Futures Lynden is most interested in partnering with a provider that will offer a quality child care program that serves all ages (birth through school age) and will operate a full day program that will accommodate the needs of the working families of Lynden.
Background
A public-private partnership is in development between the private organization – Healthy Futures Lynden and the City of Lynden, with the shared goal of developing a community center on city parks-owned land. A child care center will be one of a variety of community amenities that will be housed within this facility, named the HUB.
This project is in the early planning stages and currently looking for an experienced child care provider that is interested in moving or expanding their business to Lynden. The successful candidate will have significant input into the size, layout, and design of the child care portion of the facility. Other planned facilities within the community center include gym space, a pool (phase II), virtual reality room, common space including at least one food/drink vendor, and programs for active senior citizens. The purpose of the HUB is to be a place of healthy, united belonging for all ages and backgrounds. Candidates who are interested in operating their private child care business with a commitment to community building within the larger facility will receive priority consideration. You can be part of this amazing undertaking!
Projected Early Learning Space Description
Name: The HUB, Benson Rd. City of Lynden Parks Dept. (currently unbuilt)
Approximate License Capacity: roughly 100 total childcare spaces
Number of classrooms: To be determined, based on input from successful candidate and licensing requirements
Partnership Requirements and Eligible Applicants
- Must be an experienced provider of infant/toddler care in a licensed setting, serving a diversity of customers. Applicants should have a minimum of 5 years experience in the field.
- Must be licensed to care for all ages, birth through school age.
- Must operate a full-day program that accommodates working families’ schedules, including Before & After School as well as school break programs.
- Must accept subsidy payments, including Working Connection Child Care (WCCC) payments.
- Must enroll in Early Achievers, Washington’s Quality Recognition Improvement System (QRIS).
- Initial 10-year lease agreement with option to renew. Monthly rent amount TBD and will be negotiated with provider with the intent to reduce overhead to improve operational margins.
- Actively collaborate with Healthy Futures Lynden, C-RECC, and other stakeholders during the planning and development phase to provide input into facility design.
- Utilize a recognized curriculum or approach to teaching in developmentally appropriate ways.
