Building Together Recipient 2024 = Starr King
Dear all,
We are proud to announce the recipient of the Building Together Award for 2024 is Starr King Parent Child Workshop!
Every fall the Kellow Construction Team votes for a local non-profit they want to support in the following year. The only requirement for nomination is that they must have 501(c)(3) status, be based locally, they can not be a national organization, and have a facility that serves community.
We then work with the nonprofit to plan a service project for that following year.
One of my hopes this year as their sponsor in addition to facility support, is to shine a bright light on this school and let people who might not know about it otherwise learn about this local treasure that we have had since 1949.
If anyone knows me, they know about Starr King and the immense impact it has had, and continues to have on my life. It was the best school I ever attended by a long shot. Starr King is not just a pre-school, it is a Parent Child Workshop (PCW). Within the context of this cooperative preschool and parent education program, parents gain insights into the typical social, emotional, physical, language, and cognitive development of children aged two to five. They explore healthy separation patterns, the importance of play, and strategies that build a solid foundation for future learning. Parents actively contribute to creating a healthy, safe, and inclusive environment for the children while observing and engaging with them in the cooperative preschool lab.
Families are required to work a 4 hour shift a week, attend a Tuesday night parenting class, participate in the Rummage Sale fundraiser along with two environment days a year. Most families contribute much more than this, and end up kind of arranging their lives around it while they have children in the program. I will be honest, as a working momma, at times, it's a lot. Like how does anyone have time? Sometimes I wonder how I have time. But man oh man, is it worth it. It has been a game changer for me in my journey as a mom and I am so grateful that still, after all these years, I have Starr King magic in my corner. Huge photo below (that I am not able to resize in Squarespace!) of my mom and me at SK.
Starr King's parent child model creates a profound connection between not just the children, but the entire family. For example, I am still good friends with a lot of Starr King moms in their 60's and 70's (probably reading this right now :0) who still live in town in addition to independent friendships with their children. It is a village that we all can fall back on whenever we need. My Starr King community has withstood the test of time. I remember when I headed off to UC Davis and was so lonely and home sick, being relieved to see a few Starr King children on campus here and there. And then out in the world it was always there supporting me in various random and surprising ways throughout my life. It's just magical, that's the only way to describe it. Please if you know anyone with children that might be interested in the Starr King program share this email with them. Spreading the word about this very unique school is just as supportive as making sure the facilities are in ship shape! Read more about Starr King’s program and philosophy below.
More About Starr King
Founded in 1949 by Sarah Foote, Starr King has been a guiding light in Santa Barbara's early childhood education community. In my opinion, Starr King is quietly one of the most influential institutions in our community. A real local secret, that we need to continue to share and support. Starr King is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates on an incredibly small budget. Universal TK and increasing operating costs have greatly affected the school's income and enrollment. One thing we all can do to support Starr King is share their website with young families who might not know about this option. The waitlist moves faster than other schools, and the cooperative model makes it incredibly affordable compared to other local pre-schools. The quality of care the children are provided there is exceptional, and the magical campus and location is the cherry on top. For families that can shoulder the parent participation requirements this is an incredible resource that our community still has to offer 75 years after its inception.
Below are some facts about Starr King that I copied from their website. Please check them out and spread the word to anyone you know who might be interested in enrollment. Age eligibility starts at 2 years 9 months! Thank you for reading and we look forward to supporting Starr King this year.
Mission
At Starr-King Parent-Child Workshop, we are a cooperative parent education and early childhood program. Together, as a community, we work, play, and learn to foster growth for both children and their families.
Vision
We aspire to raise confident, compassionate, and capable individuals—both children and adults—who are accountable to themselves, each other, and the world around them.
Values
We believe that strengthening parenting skills encourages the healthy development of families.
We maintain that leadership development equips us to advocate for our children and our broader community more effectively.
We value the family as the primary and most influential force in a child's life.
We honor diversity, accessibility, and affordability, and embrace inclusivity in our practices and attitudes.
We believe that parents and children thrive through active, hands-on engagement.
We emphasize open, respectful communication as the foundation for building strong relationships, fostering personal growth, and resolving conflicts.
We value individual and collective responsibility within the community.
We support creative, child-centered, play-based learning that encourages exploration and discovery.
We believe that fostering a strong community enables families to learn from and with one another.
We are intentional in managing our resources, ensuring donor and tuition dollars are used responsibly.
We adopt sustainable practices that promote health and connection with the natural environment.
