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Play and Learn, at the Walter Fuller community center, continues after Girls Inc. bows out because of money problems.
By JON WILSON
© St. Petersburg Times, published August 16, 2000
ST. PETERSBURG -- A bootstrap effort saved the day -- and a popular preschool day care center remains open.
When financial problems forced Girls Inc. to withdraw as Play and Learn's operator this past spring, parents rallied to keep the day care center running.
They contributed money and equipment, and one of them, Annette Derks, proposed to take over the center herself. St. Petersburg city government, which leases Play and Learn its space at Walter Fuller community center, agreed.
The result was a virtually seamless transition when Girls Inc. departed May 30 and the new, grass-roots management moved in June 1.
"It was definitely a miraculous event," said Derks, who credited about 25 parents with helping make the change possible.
"It couldn't have worked out better," said Mary Ann Davis, city recreation manager. Parents are happy and the city was pleased to have the care center remain open, she said.
A loose end remains. Girls Inc. owes the city $21,977.59 in back rent. The city has sent the organization a letter asking for its repayment plan, Davis said.
Mary Brennan, Girls Inc.'s board president -- and for now, its director -- said the organization has asked for a break.
"We're making application to the city to consider waiving all or a portion of (the back rent)," Brennan said. "Because we provided the program for three years, because the loss we sustained was much greater than that, we hope they will consider that."
Money problems caused Girls Inc. to close two other south Pinellas day care centers: at Jamestown in St. Petersburg and at Rainbow Village in Largo.
Play and Learn appears to be thriving now.
"They are the most caring group of child care workers," Davis said.
About 30 children ages 2 through 5 attend. Ruth Seid remained as director, as did two teachers. Another teacher has been added, and Derks spends some time teaching, too.
The center is licensed for up to 49 youngsters, according to Pinellas County's child care licensing board, so openings remain as the new school year begins. "Graduations" -- youngsters moving on to kindergarten -- may mean up to 30 spaces are available, Derks said.
"People don't know we're still here," she said.
Play and Learn serves mostly west St. Petersburg families. It is situated at Walter Fuller, 7891 26th Ave. N. The center is open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Fees are $90 a week and $60 for part time. Call 343-3073 for information.
A graduation ceremony this month drove home the point that Play and Learn had passed its crisis. About 100 people attended.
"It was a nice little turnout and kind of a celebration," said Kim Walter, a parent.
Cindy Fast, one of the parents who pitched in to keep the center going, hand-sewed about 50 sheets for cots. An anonymous donor paid for new cots and individual cubbyholes. Others donated cash for other equipment.
"They ended up having to buy everything from the get-go," Davis said.
Play and Learn is paying a rental fee to the city on a sliding scale based on a percentage of the center's enrollment.