Blakemore Children's Center
615-292-5443
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3604 Whitland Avenue
Nashville, TN 37205
Organization Details

Executive Director


Executive Director Mrs. Bonnie Spear
E-mail bonniespear@blakemorechildren.org
Term Start August 1997
Bonnie's Experience: Bonnie assumed responsibility for directing BCC in August 1997. She participates in continuing professional development opportunites and has worked toward a M.Ed. degree in early childhood education. She came to BCC with over 12 years of experience directing early childhood programs. Three programs, including BCC, acquired accreditation from NAEYC under her leadership. Early experiences as an assistant teacher and lead teacher in early childhood settings add to her understanding of the daily needs of young children. She has received intensive training on the ITERS and ECERS-R at the University of North Carolina and TSU. Bonnie is active in the early childhood community having served on the boards of the local and state Association for the Education of Young Children. She has been a presenter at local, state and national professional conferences. She was a national validator for NAEYC, a mentor for TECTA students working towards a Child Development Associate Credential (CDA) and programs working toward NAEYC accreditation. She currently sits on the boards of the local and state Association for the Education of Young Children and the TN United Methodist Association of Preschools. Bonnie served on the task force to write the Metro Schools Pre-kindergarten standards, was a trainer on the standards, and servedd on the Mayor's Early Childhood Advisory Task Force. She has been the Nashville Chapter Chair of Stand for Children, a national grassroots child advocacy organization. She serves on ACES trauma advisory group. She is on the cutting edge of the positive changes taking place in childcare. Her responsibilities as BCC director include overall supervision of the curriculum, interaction with children, supervision of staff, fiscal operations, fundraising, community and family relations, and cooperation with the Board.

Senior Staff


Name Title
Mrs. Barbara Dean Behavior Specialist/Preschool Mentor Teacher
Ms. Amanda Durai Pedagogista of the Infant/Toddler Classroom
Mrs. Meighan Giotta Operations Manager

Staff

Full Time Staff 8
Part Time Staff 4
Volunteers 55
Contractors 1
Retention Rate 100%

Plans & Policies

Does your organization have a Fundraising Plan? No
Does your organization have a Strategic Plan? Under Development
Years Strategic Plan Considers
When was the Strategic Plan adopted?
Does your organization have a Management Succession Plan? No
Does your organization have a Policy and Procedure Plan? Yes
Does the organization have a Nondiscrimination Policy? Yes
Does the organization have a Whistle Blower Policy?
Does the organization have a Document Destruction Policy?

Evaluation

Is there a formal evaluation for... Frequency (if applicable)
CEO/Executive Director Yes Annually
Senior Management Yes Annually
Non-Management Yes Annually

Affiliations

Affiliation Year
ANE (Association of Nonprofit Executives) 2007
Center for Nonprofit Management Excellence Network 2004
Metro Nashville Public Schools/Chamber of Commerce Alignment Process 2004
Nashville Area Association for Young Children (NAAYC) 1985
Nashville Area Association for Young Children (NAAYC) 2007
National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) 1985
United Way Member Agency 1999

External Assessments and Accreditations

Assessment/Accreditation Year
National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) - 5 Year Accreditation 2019

Awards


Award / Recognition Organization Year
3-star Rating (highest possible) TN Department of Human Services 2015
Best of Childcare, 2nd Place Nashville Scene 2014
Childcare Director of the Year Nashville Parent Magazine 2008
Grant Nashville Predators Foundation 2006
HCA 2015 Community Day Mini Grant the HCA Foundation 2015
Lifetime Achievement Award Tennessee Alliance for Progress 2011
Partner Award Metropolitan Action Commission 2004
Priority One Youth Foundation Grant Kiwanis Club of Nashville, Inc. 2007

CEO/Executive Director/Board Comments


Our main concern is having suitable substitute caregivers and teachers when a regular staff member must be out. Childcare Tennessee, of which we are a part, is in the beginning stages of developing a substitute staff pool.