Watching them grow

FVCC child-care center celebrates its first year

Flathead Valley Community College's Early Childhood Center celebrated its one-year anniversary Tuesday with a healthy enrollment of 52 youngsters.

"We are completely open and 98 percent full," Director Laurie Peiffer said. "We're really excited about there being that much of a need."

The center was the third and final new building of a $20 million expansion and upgrade of the college's Kalispell campus. Described as state-of-the-art, the 7,140 square-foot facility accepts infants 'six weeks), toddlers and preschool-age children.

It was designed to serve as a learning lab for students in Early Childhood Education while also providing child care for students, staff and the community. According to Peiffer, enrollment grew over a period of about six months.

"My under-2-years-old was full within the first month," she said. "We have a waiting list - a lot of the people on the list are going to have babies."

Peiffer said the center opened with three classes, then expanded to four in August when demand increased. By January, enrollment reached 98 percent full.

The center's success comes at a time of hardship for many child-care operations. A recent Associated Press story quoted Montana providers saying some customers were seeking lower-cost care, sometimes from newly unemployed friends.

Flathead Valley Community College's operation has the advantage of convenience for students and faculty. Peiffer's statistics reveal that about 38 percent of the children came from students and faculty, who receive priority for day care.

Students who carry at least nine credits also qualify for financial assistance to help pay the cost of $620 for preschool or $730 for infant care. Although the high-end price structure causes inquiring customers to pause, Peiffer said the quality staff and program win them over.

She describe a recent pair of school teachers who hesitated due to the price, then decided to move their child to the center from another facility.

"They saw huge improvement in their 3-year-old," Peiffer said.

The parents said their child was happier, coming home singing newly learned songs and making large gains in vocabulary. She said the difference comes in actively engaging the child all day in educational play with no television time.

Preschool classrooms, packed with books, puzzles, arts and crafts supplies and even microscopes, provide insight into the curriculum based on Montana's early learning guidelines. The teachers provide parents with reports of their pre-schoolers' development based on those guidelines.

Many of Peiffer's staffers graduated from the college's Early Childhood Education program or are students in those courses.

"Education definitely helps," she said. "I think the need for quality care is just huge."

Along with community college students, Glacier High School students in child development classes use the college center as a lab. Peiffer said three classes came during the fall and another class is participating this spring semester.

"They do observation and they go in the class with the children," she said.

Peiffer described the arrangement as mutually beneficial for the high school students, her teachers and the youngsters. She said the children enjoy the Glacier High students and get excited about their visits.

The design of the center includes a unique viewing area with one-way glass that allows visitors, including parents, to watch the children interacting with staff.

Other features include two outdoor play areas and a large multipurpose room that functions as a mini gym for the children to exercise during the cold months. The building came with high-tech security keypads to restrict entry to child-occupied areas.

With the one-year mark attained by the center, Peiffer said the facility recently received an extended license and is looking at applying for accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

"It's a huge self-study process," she said.

Future plans call for expansion into afternoon preschool. Peiffer expects to offer preschool from 1 to 3 p.m. three days a week next fall for children 3 to 5.

People interested in this or other programs may call the Early Childhood Center at 756-3991.

Reporter Candace Chase may be reached at 758-4436 or by e-mail at cchase@dailyinterlake.com