UP's first childcare center opened its doors in August 16 to children
By Ona Golonka
In a newly-remodeled house, toddlers and preschoolers are practicing their artistic skills while their caretakers color alongside them. In a separate room, two caretakers play peek-a-boo and other hand games with babies. This vision used to be just a dream and a distant reality for members of the University of Portland community. After a 108-year wait, however, UP's first childcare center opened on Aug. 17, 2009. What used to be a student rental house behind Haggerty Hall was transformed this summer into a completely refurbished and kid-proofed childcare center. The design plan proposed by Vermont Hills Family Life Center, the non-profit organization that runs the childcare, called for tearing down a hallway, removing carpets, resurfacing wooden floors and painting the inside and outside walls. Physical Plant workers added a ramp to the front of the house as well. Now the center services faculty and staff parents, two student parents and two parents from the UP neighborhood community. The center's five employees provide care for eight infants and toddlers and eight preschoolers. The idea for a childcare center on the University of Portland campus originated several years ago. Professors Tamar More and Anissa Rogers, who are also parents, were some of the driving forces propelling the childcare center to be built. Instead of focusing on what they could not do, they kept suggesting what they could do to have the center up and running. "We took a more problem- solving approach instead of a barricade approach," Rogers said."We also proposed to start out small," More added. By starting out with a small center with spots for 16 children, smaller risks were taken, so there was greater certainty that the center would be up and running.Both Rogers and More agree that the time, dedication and energy was worth it. Parents using the childcare center agree that the existence of the center provides numerous benefits. "Now I can stay at work longer since I don't have to leave earlier," said Rogers. The center's location is also a big draw for parents. "I really like the center's closeness to the campus," said professor Bill Barnes, whose son attends the daycare. Parents are free to visit their children at any time of the day. Another plus is the tight-knit atmosphere that exists at the daycare. Both professors have noticed their children's reactions to the center. Rogers notes that her son enjoys coming there. "He's not stressed out when he comes here; he was calm and wouldn't cry," she said. Barnes noticed the same reaction in his son. "He's as happy as a clam" he said, after picking up his son. The children and parents are not the only ones impressed with the center. Cala Richman, the head infant leader, loves her job. "I can't imagine doing anything else," she said.In addition to having playtime and practicing their artistic skills, the infants, toddlers and preschoolers partake in finger- play activities, sensory activities with sand and water and also develop their motor skills. A lesson plan for each age group is planned daily, according to the center's director, Megan Miller. All of these activities are a part of the educational component emphasized by Vermont Hills Family Life Center. Though the center opened only two weeks ago, there is more in store for the future. In September, Barnes is helping organize a workday weekend, in which faculty, staff, students and the College Ecology Club will create a natural playscape in the daycare's backyard. According to Barnes, the outside play space will look and feel like a natural environment. Eventually the center will be a place for student volunteer opportunities and internships, according to More and Rogers. "The center is community forming," More said. Volunteering opportunities, workday weekends and internships will help build community, will make the daycare a larger part of the UP community and help make it an integral part of campus. The parents and workers at the daycare all agree that it has a lot of potential and present and future benefits. "It was a win-win situation for everyone," said Barnes.
