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Hearts and Hands preschool asks Calistoga to partner on a childcare facility and scholarships
Summary
Hearts and Hands Preschool told the Calistoga City Council it seeks a city partnership to develop or secure a facility for expanded preschool and infant/toddler daycare and to pursue ongoing scholarship funding for low‑income families.
Mary Anne Salinger, representing the board of Hearts and Hands Preschool, appealed to Calistoga leaders for a formal city partnership to expand local early‑childhood care and create scholarship support for struggling families.
Salinger said the nonprofit has served Calistoga for more than 20 years and urged officials to help secure or develop a facility that would allow the preschool to add slots, including infant and toddler care for children as young as 6 weeks. “The cost of daycare and preschool is like another mortgage,” she said, stressing that child care affordability affects the city’s workforce and local businesses’ ability to recruit and retain employees.
The preschool left a prospectus with council members and asked to sit down with staff to explore options, including possible cohort partnerships, facility development and ongoing scholarship funding. Salinger said the board will return with a formal proposal after staff input and community discussions.
Council members responded appreciatively and signaled interest in talking with the group and city staff. The city manager noted staff will meet with community groups and included the preschool’s materials in the meeting packet; no formal financial commitment or program decision was made at the meeting.
The preschool plans to return with a formal proposal after preliminary discussions with staff and council members.
