2022 Family Feedback Results

a report by Executive Director Deb Green

We are pleased to share the results of our 2022 Family Feedback Survey that families to completed this past spring. Our annual survey results are reviewed by PIC Board members and then shared with the full Board at the last meeting of the fiscal year (June 2022).

While the last two years have thrown us some previously inconceivable challenges, the survey results help us focus on the successes we have had and the areas for growth that we hope to address in the coming year. 

EARLY LEARNING SURVEY

Who completed the survey? Response rates were high!
We had 150 respondents to the survey from families in the Early Learning Program (72% return rate—highest ever!). Interestingly, over half of the respondents joined the PIC community during the pandemic.

There was at least a 50% rate of response from each of the 15 classrooms, with a few classrooms receiving a 95% response rate.

Our Successes:
In addition to the ratings listed below, I am very grateful for the countless positive comments that accompanied so many of the questions. We have been navigating uncharted waters during these past two years and such strong words of appreciation from families is so encouraging. 

• 100% of our respondents are very likely or likely to recommend PIC to a friend, neighbor or colleague.
• 98.5% are very satisfied or satisfied with our outdoor spaces, and many commented how they were especially grateful that we had the space for outdoor play during the pandemic (.75% no opinion and .75% dissatisfied).
• 98.5% are very satisfied or satisfied with teacher’s efforts in classrooms to keep children healthy and safe (1.5% no opinion and 0% dissatisfied).
• 98% are very satisfied or satisfied with the curriculum and activities in their child's classroom. 
• 97% are very satisfied and satisfied with the overall leadership of PIC (2% no opinion and 1% dissatisfied).
• 97% are very satisfied or satisfied with their child’s classroom assistant teacher(s) (1.5% no opinion and 1.5% dissatisfied).
• 96% are very satisfied or satisfied with PIC’s overall health and safety policies and protocols during the pandemic (3% no opinion and 2% dissatisfied).
• 95% are very satisfied or satisfied with PIC’s overall communication during the pandemic (2% no opinion and 3% dissatisfied). 
• 93% are very satisfied or satisfied with their child’s classroom lead teacher (3.5% no opinion and 3.5% dissatisfied).
• 94% are very satisfied or satisfied with their child’s teachers’ being able to meet their child’s individual needs. 
• 93% are very satisfied and satisfied with the assessment of their child's progress at PIC.

Our Challenges:

Facilities
While 80% of the respondents reported being very satisfied or satisfied overall with the PIC facilities, the following areas were often noted among respondents top facilities priorities

• Address the increase in trash around the entire block. 
  This has been an increasing issue over the past 2 years. We have a contract with University City District (UCD) for weekly playground maintenance and walkway clean up of trash, and have recently increased the contract to add additional weekly cleanups. 
• Broken glass door at entrance across from PAS.
  This was a landlord issue and took way too long to resolve. The door has now been replaced. 
• Inconsistent heating issue in Spruce building. 
  All heating repairs are in the hands of the facility management company. The heat in the Spruce building comes from 3 large boiler systems that are regulated by our landlord. If they are turned off too early in the season, classrooms turn very cold on the cooler days. If we wait to leave it on, based on typical seasonal weather, there are often days of classrooms being too warm. With 3 floors and 9 classrooms in the building, the temperatures can be quite inconsistent between the 1st and the 3rd floors. The good news is that we now have the ability to remotely read the temperatures in each classroom and can be pre-emptive in securing adjustments before classrooms open. 
• Lack of understanding of the layout and interior spaces at PIC. 
  We recognize that many of our families joined PIC during the pandemic and never took a physical tour of our spaces. In the fall, we plan to host a few “open houses'' to give physical tours to those who wish to see more. 
• New playground equipment. 
  This was mentioned often and we too hope to address this at some point in the near future. Playground equipment is a very costly investment and we will be embarking on a feasibility study to review options. 
• Revamping of both the Small and Big Gyms. 
  As in the above response, we plan to embark on a feasibility study to determine cost and options. 

Communication from classrooms
While many families love the information (and the photos) they receive from Tadpoles (our electronic communications app), others feel that they are not getting the communication they hope for. Respondents expressed high satisfaction when they receive classroom newsletters and have parent conferences with teachers, but are unclear about the expectations and timelines for communication.

• Communication with families will be a topic of our in-service days this August. We will be reviewing the feedback from families and will work with our teachers to create a plan for clear communication expectations.

Enrollment
Respondents expressed a lack of transparency with the waitlist process and not enough clear information when first starting at PIC. Lack of communication and clarity was also expressed around the move-up process. 

• We have addressed clarity around the move-up process this year with additional email communication and adding a Zoom meeting to address this topic. We are adding new language to our website to further address our waitlist process. While these steps may help, we know there continues to be work to do. 

Lunch Program
While 75% of respondents are very satisfied or satisfied with PIC’s lunch program and 18% had no opinion, 6% stated dissatisfaction with the program. Comments ranged from wishing for more variety, wishing PIC had a kitchen to prepare our own foods, wishing pizza day was less frequent than weekly, wishing for more whole grains, fresh vegetables and less sugar. Many asked for more information about what their child is eating and more clarity with the menu. 

• We continue to meet regularly with our lunch vendor to discuss changes we would like to make. We have been pleased with the responsiveness when issues arise, and we also recognize that we need to accept institutional limitations.  

SCHOOL AGE SURVEY

Who completed the survey?
We had 52  respondents to the survey from families in the Afterschool Program (65% return rate). 

Our Successes:

• 100% are very satisfied or satisfied with PIC’s overall communication during the pandemic. 
• 99% are very satisfied and satisfied with the overall leadership of PIC (1% dissatisfied).
• 98% of our respondents are very likely or likely to recommend PIC’s Afterschool Program to a friend, neighbor or colleague (2% unlikely).
• 98% are very satisfied or satisfied with their child’s teachers (2% had no opinion).
• 93% are very satisfied or satisfied with the teacher’s efforts to keep children healthy and safe (4% no opinion and 3% dissatisfied).
• 93% are very satisfied or satisfied with PIC’s overall health and safety policies and protocols during the pandemic (7% dissatisfied).
• 83% are very satisfied or satisfied with the activities in the afterschool program (13% no opinion and 4% dissatisfied). Respondents specifically mentioned the ability of the afterschool children to spend significant time outdoors and the variety of activities offered as top reasons for satisfaction with the program. 

Our Challenges:

Communications from teachers
Respondents cited inconsistent communication from the two buildings and four age groups, desire for some individual feedback of how children are navigating the afterschool program, and desire for more information about activities and clubs.

• Communication is one of our agenda items at our upcoming August in-service days.

Facilities
Increased and overwhelming trash, and broken windows. 

• Our management company is increasing the number of trash pick-ups per week. Problems with windows has been an ongoing issue and has been on the management company docket for quite awhile. We will be revisiting this with them.

Family feedback is essential to continued operational improvement. These survey results guide our planning and decision making for the year ahead. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with us.