Many colleges and universities have come to Mills Consulting Group for consultation on a variety of issues affecting their campus child care programs.

Our work with colleges and universities includes:

• Studying management models
• Feasibility studies for expansion
• Benchmarking
• Budget development
• Examining staffing and quality issues
• Program start-up
  

Exemplary projects

Arizona State University, Child Care Expansion Feasibility Study, 2004
The ASU Child and Dependent Task Force provided a report of recommendations to the University, which included a recommendation for expansion of child care services. In turn, the University contacted Mills Consulting Group to perform an in-depth child care feasibility study. The study included:

• A review and analysis of survey data, the Task Force report, University master plan and demographic information, and ASU’s current early childhood services
• Interviews with architects and facilities planning, faculty members and staff, and representatives from the City of Tempe child care feasibility group
• Meetings with representatives from invested campus groups
• A determination of fiscal resources for expansion of child care services
• A benchmarking study with peer universities to gather information on other campus child care services, such as the department under which the center operates, the number of slots available, waiting lists and funding streams
• A written report and presentation with recommendations

Recommendations included expanding the number of slots in the Campus Children’s Center, administering the Center through a more visible location in the University, engaging an academic department to oversee operation of the center, and coordinating communication and enrollment procedures for all early childhood programs on campus.

University of Massachusetts, Exploring Management Models for Early Childhood Services at UMass Amherst, 2003
Mills Consulting Group was asked by University Child Care at UMass Amherst to review the early childhood services offered on campus, collect information via written survey from various constituencies at the University, benchmark with other state universities, and to provide options for various management models for the delivery of these services. Benchmarking research was completed with five peer institutions, which included Illinois State University, Portland State University (Oregon), University of Connecticut, University of Maryland, and University of New Hampshire. The overall goal of the research was to reduce the cost to the University while still maintaining high quality early childhood services. Research was conducted and key findings were presented, along with recommendations for various models, which included budget outlines, and the advantages/disadvantages for each model. Models ranged from modifications to the current center to outsourcing to a vendor, to restructuring or combining all campus early childhood services. The full report is available online. http://www.umass.edu/stuaf/childcarereport.htm

Stony Brook University, State University of New York, Review of Child Care Services, 2002
Mills Consulting Group was asked by Stony Brook University to conduct a review of their child care services, concentrating on financial and programmatic components. The goal was to determine if the services were operating in the most efficient and cost effective manner, consistent with a quality center. A comprehensive review was completed of the child care services program, financials, administration, and staffing ratios. The tuition sliding fee schedule was examined. Outreach was made to comparable campus child care centers to compare university support levels at the following institutions: University of Pittsburgh, California State in Los Angeles, University of Massachusetts Amherst, University of Indiana at Bloomington, and Ohio State University in Columbus. Funding sources from Stony Brook, grants and fundraising efforts were reviewed to determine future support and the cost/benefit. A final report provided insights and recommendations based on the research and findings by Mills Consulting Group.

Harvard Medical School, Consortium on Back-up Child Care — Budget and Options Plan, November, 2001
Harvard Medical School understood that the tangible benefits of back-up care would include cost savings on reduced absenteeism, better recruitment and retention, and increased productivity. They asked Mills Consulting Group to provide consulting services relative to exploring the feasibility of developing a back-up center for Harvard Medical School and its partner hospitals in Boston, including gathering information on options, facilities and budget. Mills Consulting Group met regularly with a sub-committee of physicians and Harvard Medical School administrators. Each partner hospital was interviewed for their interest in a collaboration, and the number of required child care slots was reviewed. Initial research included a review of potential space for center location, construction and operating costs, and financial resources. Mills Consulting Group examined different operating models including 501c(3) (non-profit), University-managed, and vendor-operated. A timetable and a complete plan of all options was developed. The collaboration of hospitals was able to move forward with the best solution for children and families.

Bridgewater State College We recently worked with Bridgewater State College to conduct a feasibility study for the potential expansion of their Children’s Center. This study revealed what is needed for expanding the ages and number of children served by the Center through research we conducted, which included a review and analysis of information and data on the Children’s Center, focus groups and key informant interviews to gather feedback on the need for expansion, benchmarking research on peer institutions’ child care centers, and the creation of an operations/budget plan for expansion. A final written report with findings and recommendations plus a presentation to key staff and decision makers at the College was provided at the end of the study period.