A Year of Growth, Learning & Community Impact

Investing in Great Teachers

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6 early teachers assistants advanced to fully qualified teachers and 3 teachers aids advanced to Teacher Assistants
We invest in the growth of the educators who care for your children.​​​

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Making Child Care More Affordable

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Families avoided paying market child care costs of up to of up to $2600 per month.

​​​The average market cost of child care in 2025 was:​​

• $2,600/month for infants & toddlers (0–2) 

• $1,872/month for 2-year-olds 

• $1,040/month for preschool (3–5)

 

Through Heartbeat’s partnership as a subcontractor under RENU Hope Foundation (a state contractor with CDE/CDSS), families accessed state-funded child care at little to no cost.

The San Diego Foundation Grant covered remaining state-assessed family fees (avg. $62/month), allowing many families to pay $0.

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Smarter Food Budget = More Resources for Kids

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We improved nutrition standards, enhanced meal planning, and reduced food costs by preparing more meals from scratch using fresh ingredients instead of processed foods. Savings are reinvested back into classrooms.

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Encanto food costs cut nearly in half
Escondido food costs reduced by over 50%

 

More savings → More resources go back into classrooms.​​​

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Giving Back to the Community

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Heartbeat prepared 130 meals for local low-income senior communities,

providing meals to residents at:

 

• Cape Cod (Hope for Housing) – Oceanside

• Encanto Village (Hope for Housing) – San Diego

• Valley Senior Village (Hope for Housing) – Escondido

 

​We believe caring extends beyond the classroom.​

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​​Growing Leaders from Within

​​We proudly promote from within and support career growth:

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• Staff members advanced into leadership roles 

• Team members expanded responsibilities and professional skills

 

Ms. Ruth’s Leadership Journey

Preschool Enrollment Administrator → Regional Family Services Manager → Director of Family Services

✔ Passed 3 state audits
✔ Maintains enrollment compliance for 3 Heartbeat sites
✔ First employee of the Family Services division since state funding awarded

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Ms. Hannah’s Leadership Journey

Administrative Assistant → Office Manager → Director of Business Operations → Deputy Director

✔ Oversees operations and assists with compliance for 3 sites
✔ Supported successful completion of state audits
✔ Completed in-house facility repairs and safety upgrades

 

Ms. Yolanda’s Career Growth
Floater → Food Service Cook → Food Service Specialist → Business Operations Manager

✔ Created a multi-site food ordering system
✔ Oversees food services for 297 children daily
✔ Led scratch-cooking implementation

 

Strong teams = Strong programs for children.​​​​

 

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Strengthening Community Partnerships

 

• Secured donated items from local businesses for fundraising

• Improved coordination across departments

• Increased efficiency so more resources support children​

 

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Because of you, 2025 was a year of:

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✔  Stronger learning outcomes
✔  More affordable child care
✔  Professional growth
✔  Community support

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Thank you for being part of the Heartbeat family.