HISTORY
For 40 years, the children of Teton and Sublette Counties have had a consistent ally in their journey through the baby, toddler and preschool years. Beginning in 1972, The Learning Center (TLC) offered programs to help young children succeed in school and in life. As the youth population in these counties grew and changed, the programs of TLC changed with them.
The brainchild of a small group of concerned citizens, TLC initially formed to provide early intervention for children with developmental disabilities. From its early roots as a center for special education, the programs of TLC expanded to include Early Head Start, Head Start and an integrated preschool program, early education for infants and toddlers, and screening services.
Community Children’s Project (CCP) was also started in 1972 with a mission to ensure that quality child development services were available in our community. Several different programs, including child care for children six weeks to three years of age, Montessori, and preschool were offered. In 2008 the two organizations merged and formed Children’s Learning Center (CLC). Each year CLC serves over 600 children through our programs and developmental screenings. CLC employs more than 70 staff, maintains 14 classrooms, 3 therapy facilities and 4 campuses in Teton and Sublette Counties.
Knowing that ALL children benefit from a nurturing and inviting environment during their early developmental years, CLC has built a solid portfolio of programs that inspire and educate ALL children to reach their greatest potential.
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
Children’s Learning Center is governed by a volunteer board of directors. Their duties include ensuring the mission of Children’s Learning Center is being met, and determining long-range goals regarding fiscal management, children’s services, and public relations. The board of directors also adopts a written policy for the conduct of the program’s operation. CLC is a careful steward of the public and private grants that support about 59% of our programs and services for at-risk, special needs and lower and middle income families. 27% of our budget is funded through tuition, 7% through other income sources, and 7% must be raised through private donations and special events.
Early Head Start and Head Start programs are also governed by the Policy Council which consists of a combination of parents and community members. These two boards work closely together in a system of shared governance.
The board delegates administrative responsibilities to the Executive Director of Children’s Learning Center.
