First Congregational Church of Bellingham Proposal Form

This form is the official Proposal to partner with First Congregational Church of Bellingham in the development of a licensed Infant & Toddler child care space and to secure lease of space as an independent child care business.

Proposals will be accepted on a continuing basis until a suitable child care partner is selected. Proposers should expect a reply to their submission within one week, with successful Proposers being invited to interview as the next step in the selection process.

C-RECC is available to offer technical assistance with the process of filling out the online Proposal Form as well as preparing responses to form questions. Please request assistance by emailing .

First Congregational Church of Bellingham Proposal Form

Name

First Last

Phone

Current or Former Child Care Business Name (if applicable)

This Proposal Form consists of three parts: Programming & Services; Qualifications, Education & Experience; and Business Management & Financial Planning. Each section is worth 25 points towards your overall rating. The final 25 points will come from the in person interviews. The partnership and lease will be offered to the Proposer with the highest overall score.

PROGRAMMING & SERVICES

STATEMENT OF PHILOSPHY & MISSION STATEMENT – Provide a brief statement about your program philosophy, mission of your work, including the most important goals of your intended early learning program.

PROGRAM CURRICULUM – Describe your overall curriculum philosophy and approach. If a particular curriculum is subscribed to, name it. Describe how your curriculum will meet the individual needs of each student to maximize growth and development. Explain the tools and processes you will use to evaluate curriculum success and facilitate continuing program improvement.

SCOPE OF SERVICES – Describe, if any, additional or unique programming or services that will be offered. Include any special needs accommodations, ancillary activities, languages, or parent resources you will provide or partner to provide for families. Name any organizations that you will partner with.

FAMILY PARTNERSHIPS – Describe how you will promote family support and involvement in your program. Explain how you will facilitate communication and partnership between families and staff.

CULTURAL & LINGUISTIC RESPONSIVENESS – Describe how you will be responsive and supportive of student and family cultural and linguistic needs (beyond translation of materials). This includes the capacity to tailor services to diverse types of families.

PROGRAM OPERATION & STAFFING – Explain in detail the hours of operation, how many staff you intend to hire, and the student/staff ratio maintained throughout the day. Describe your plans for staff recruitment, retention, and continuing professional development for yourself and staff.

QUALIFICATIONS, EDUCATION, & EXPERIENCE

EDUCATION & TRAINING – Provide details regarding all Early Childhood Education credits earned and satisfaction of all pre-service training mandated by DCYF.

WORK HISTORY – Provide a work history demonstrating a minimum of 3 years owning or managing a licensed child care program in Washington State. Specify ages served and highlight experience caring for children ages 0 to 30 months. (OPTIONAL – upload resume file below)

File

Max. file size: 30 MB.

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT & FINANCIAL PLANNING

FINANCIAL PLANNING – Complete and upload an operating budget including projected tuition rates, staff wages, and other expenses. Use $2,600 as monthly rent for this exercise (actual rate may be higher depending on tax-exempt or for-profit status). *FCCB will not request access to your actual operating budget or financial information and recognizes that all projected numbers shared at this point are subject to change.*

You may use the budget workbook template found at the following link or another form of your choice: https://www.oppco.org/crecc/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/FCCB-Budget-Workbook-Template.xlsx

File

Max. file size: 30 MB.

FACILITY STARTUP – Describe any prior experience in the startup process of a child care program. Briefly explain what startup costs you expect for this program and how you intend to fund those costs. Elaborate on your willingness to be co-applicant for grant funding or other proposals to fund the renovation costs necessary to meet DCYF health & safety standards.

ENROLLMENT ADMINISTRATION – Describe your methodology for calculating tuition fees and how you will ensure tuition fees are in keeping with local economy and your families’ ability to pay. Explain your plans for marketing to a diverse community and how you will ensure maximum enrollment and steady income.

This form is the official Proposal to partner with First Congregational Church of Bellingham in the development of a licensed Infant & Toddler child care space and to secure lease of space as an independent child care business.

Proposals will be accepted on a continuing basis until a suitable child care partner is selected. Proposers should expect a reply to their submission within one week, with successful Proposers being invited to interview as the next step in the selection process.

C-RECC is available to offer technical assistance with the process of filling out the online Proposal Form as well as preparing responses to form questions. Please request assistance by emailing .