The Children’s Workshop Transitioned to a Non-Profit Through Donation of Centers

Children’s Workshop Foundation poised to offer high quality childcare to over 700 Rhode Island Families Central Falls, RI – The Children’s Workshop, a family owned small business, operational for over 30 years, providing high quality early education and care to young children and families throughout Rhode Island and (formerly in)

Massachusetts, announced its philanthropic donation of several locations of the for-profit childcare centers to its nonprofit organization. A total of five schools including Central Falls, Providence, Rumford, Warren, and Pawtucket will now operate as a non-profit under The Children’s Workshop Foundation.

Owner, David MacDonald, started the organization in 1990 with the intention of providing childcare for employees of his mortgage company. From these roots, the organization grew to 21 locations and over 500 employees throughout MA and RI. Maggie Teller and Bailey Kent, MacDonald’s daughters, have both served in leadership positions for the last decade.

The Children’s Workshop Foundation was established in 2011 to serve the needs of families at the Beverage Hill location in Rhode Island. It is an IRS recognized 501(c)3 public charity with all proceeds going toward bettering the lives of children, improving communities, and furthering education. The foundation will now expand its mission with the newly donated locations.

Along with this transition, the foundation announces the appointment of a new chief executive officer, Sasha Brathwaite. “Children’s Workshop Foundation is honored to accept this generous donation from The Children’s Workshop and continue the legacy of providing high quality early childhood education in these locations”, commented Brathwaite. “The mission is even more important in today’s challenging environment. We are pleased to be able to expand our services to over 700 families in Rhode Island’s most vulnerable communities.”

Approximately 80% of the students now served by Children’s Workshop Foundation come from low income families who qualify for childcare subsidies through RI’s childcare assistance program. Rhode Island does not yet reimburse providers for the full cost of high quality education; operating the schools as a non-profit will open up much needed funding streams, such as grants and private or corporate donations, to fill the gap between state subsidy and the resources needed for a high quality program.
“I am a proud Latina, who was born in Providence, from a Puerto Rican mother and a Dominican father. I had the benefit of attending a high-quality preschool program. I was also encouraged to enroll in honors courses by true advocates in the schools,” continued Brathwaite. “These experiences ultimately led me to achieving a master’s degree and prepared me to lead The Children’s Workshop. I now have the opportunity to make this same difference for the children who enter our doors every day.”

The Children’s Workshop’s departing CEO, Bailey Kent, will continue as the Foundation Board President. Kent concluded, “Under the stewardship of Children’s Workshop Foundation, The Children’s Workshop schools can become even further ingrained into the fabric of the communities. Each center lives its mission to spark creativity, joy and a love of learning in each child. The childcare sector faces great struggles as it is deeply entrenched in the public health and economic crisis. Early education programs must look for innovative solutions to support students and families. More than ever, we count on the support of our greater communities to provide the resources we need to make a meaningful difference for each family we serve.”

You can learn more about the organization and support The Children’s Workshop and Children’s Workshop Foundation by visiting www.tcwri.org and making a tax deductible donation today.