Causes: Education, Elementary & Secondary Schools, Literacy

Mission: Early childhood education and care

Programs: Spirt at play celebrated 24 years of quality service to children and families in missoula and the surrounding area. During our fiscal year ended 8-31-15 we served 46 children. Other accomplishments/events during the year: *continuation of the "stars to quality" field test. The program has proven to be a good fit for spirit at play. The stars to quality program requires additional education of staff and documentation related to the program. We received a $6,500 grant from the program that was used for improvements to our school. For 2015, these grant funds were used to purchase large, outdoor climbing mats and monkey bars. We continue to work toward star level 3. *we again hosted our "know your farmer" fundraiser. We invited local farmers to educate participants on gardening and animal husbandry, met with animals owned by 4-h children, rode ponies, played farm-based activities and games. Attendees enjoyed music by local talent and ate local farm food provided for the event. The event is an attempt to raise awareness of our local farmers and educate children and families as to the source of their food. *our annual art show, know your farmer event, and spring plant fundraiser continue to provide us with additional support. *we continued participation in the montana state-funded best beginnings child care scholarship program. Scholarships are available to working families whose income is at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty guidelines as well as families who receive cash assistance through the temporary assistance for needy families program. *we have significantly reduced our carbon footprint and saved the school money with the use of our solar panels that were installed in a prior fiscal year. Spirit at play takes pride in hiring the best staff and volunteers to work with the children enrolled. We feel fortunate to have found the "cream of the crop" with our current staff.