Childrens Choice Child Care Service Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Mission of Childrens Choice is to facilitate the positive development of children through our holistic approach to out-of-school-time programming that supports families. We create playful learning environments, caring and empowering relationships, and enriching experiences that meet the ever-changing physical, intellectual, social, and emotional needs of children.
- Income
- $5.7 million
- Spending
- $5.5 million
- Spent on programs
- 80%
- Reserves
- 19 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 90%
- Employees
- 146
- Highest pay
- $118,315, ceo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 90% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 19.0 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 14% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 6% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1580% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 256 of 6 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (1)
- $4.4 million spent. Since adopting Sociocracy as the new governance system, Childrens Choice has continued to advance these efforts in order to equip and empower the staff to share leadership of the organization in accomplishment of the mission. The governance of the organization was restructured.The Board of Directors was restructured and is known as the Mission Circle. The Aim of the Mission Circle is to accomplish the mission of the organization. The mission of CC is to facilitate the positive development of children through our holistic approach to out-of-school-time programming that supports families. We create playful learning environments, caring and empowering relationships, and enriching experiences that meet the ever-changing physical, intellectual, social, and emotional needs of children. Their Domain is the creation of policy and the supervision of the Executive Director.The General Circle is the top governing circle of the staff. The General Circle is composed of the Executive Director as leader, and the Leaders and Delegates of its offspring circles: Logistics, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI); Professional Development, Summer Programming, Storytelling, Curriculum Development, and Community and Culture of Care. The Aim of the General Circle is the Mission.The Logistics Circle is led by Gina Chavez, Logistics Coordinator. The Aim: To provide, manage, and improve the logistical processes - how resources such as supplies, materials, equipment, communication systems, and personnel are recruited, acquired, allocated, and managed to ensure ongoing successful day-to-day operations that support the mission and enhance the Relationships.Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) is led by Carmen Prince-Morris, Programs Coordinator. DEI AIM: The aim of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Circle is to promote and support diversity in all forms, such as race, national origin, gender, sexual orientation; and ability to address and eliminate any forms of discrimination and bias for an equitable workplace; and to identify, deconstruct, disrupt, and dismantle racism, discrimination, bias and all forms of otherness at Children's Choice through intentional policy and procedure, training and education, creating an inclusive environment, meaningful progress and accountability, and child empowerment and action. Domains: Policy and Procedure, Training and Education, Creating an Inclusive Environment:, Meaningful Progress and Accountability: and Child Empowerment and Action:Professional Development Is led by Cindra Peterson, Site Director, Carrie Walker, Programs Coordinator, and Catherine Peterman, Programs Coordinator. Aim: To create individualized and generalized professional development systems that support high-quality holistic child development programming and facilitate the abilities of a community of reflective, skilled, and empowered child care professionals to provide high-quality, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate care and education for all children in Childrens Choice programs. Domain: The Professional Development Circle holds responsibility for all matters related to the learning, growth, and professional development of child care staff within the organization, to include onboarding, performance review systems, and professional development systems. This includes identifying development needs, designing and implementing training initiatives, supporting reflective practice, and ensuring ongoing compliance with relevant school-age child care standards and Childrens Choice values. The circle has decision-making authority within its domain, except where decisions have a significant financial or strategic impact beyond this scope, in which case proposals are brought to the General Circle.Summer Programming Circle is led by Catherine Peterman, Programs Coordinator. Aim: Create a comprehensive plan for preparation, logistics, staffing, and summer experiencesStorytelling Circle is led by Chris Walsh, Storyteller. Aim: To facilitate Childrens Choice communication, information, and ideas through engaging storytelling techniques that connect families, staff, and children. Using storytelling to create shared understanding, build trust, and foster a sense of belonging within the Childrens Choice community - helping everyone feel seen, heard, and valued. Domains: Staff Training & Professional Development, Curriculum & Enrichment Support, Recruitment, Retention & Staff Engagement, and Communication & Information SharingCurriculum Development is led by Christy Smith, Curriculum Specialist. The Aim of the Curriculum Support Circle is to assist in the accomplishment of the mission by designing and implementing organization-wide OST programming curriculum support systems for individual programs such as: Domains: Sociocratic Child Learning Circles, Documentation, Reflective Practice, Emergent Curriculum, Rituals, Child-Selected Activities, Child-Directed Activities, and Staff-Directed Activities and DEI.Community and Culture of Care Circle is led by Cindra Peterson, Site Director. Aim: to create a workplace that enhances the physical, mental, and emotional health of the Childrens Choice community, and creates a culture that brings joy and a sense of caring. Domains Planning and implementing systems and events for staff and family appreciation. Planning and implementing systems that celebrate life events of staff (birthdays, births/adoptions, weddings). Planning and implementing systems that support staff in times of bereavement. Plans and implements systems or events to support families of the program. Providing resources and information for staff and families centered around health, wellness, and joy. Providing promotional information on the Circles work to the staff/community through newsletters, flyers, social media. Plans and implements events that encourage community involvement. Focuses on creating a strong sense of community, belonging, and culture of care.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending July 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since November 1997.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.
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