College child care center to be open year round

The Times Telegram - 7/22/2017

July 21--HERKIMER -- As director of the Herkimer College Children's Center, Pam Mazzorana said she sends out a parent survey every year inquiring about what they could do to better accommodate them or what they can add as far as service.

"Every year, [it says] 'we wish you were open year round,'" she said during a telephone interview Thursday. "We listened. We're going to try it."

The children's center was previously only open during the academic year, leaving parents searching for care during the summer months.

"It's hard for a parent to all of a sudden in May to find care in June, July and August. Some are fortunate to have grandparents or are school teachers themselves," said Mazzorana.

In a news release from the college announcing the change to the children's center schedule, Mazzorana said parents "are genuinely happy with the quality care and nurturing learning environment we provide to their children. I am proud to say that we listened to them and are acting on their needs and the need for our program to prosper and grow."

With the expansion of services at the daycare, Mazzorana said there is a need for more options.

"There is a need in Herkimer County, especially the younger age," she said. "Currently, we can't accommodate for infants because we don't have the space for it."

Mazzorana -- who has been with the daycare center since 1990 -- said the center added toddler age kids in 2008, where they only have the capacity for 10 children a day. They also have a mixed group of 3- and 4-year-olds in the pre-school room. The center is licensed for 18 months through children 5-years-old that are not in school.

Besides Mazzorana, the center has three full-time teachers and three part-time teachers.

The center will start with its year round service on Monday, Aug. 28. Openings are available for ages 18 months to five-years-old, according to a news release. Daily hours are 7 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. Monday through Friday. Breakfast, lunch and snack are included.

The center also serves as a laboratory site for authentic learning experiences for students enrolled in Herkimer College's early childhood education program, according to a news release.

The Children's Center is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children and offers quality care and a nurturing learning environment for children of students, college employees and the general public.

For more information, or to inquire about registering a child, contact Mazzorana at 315-574-4033 or mazzorapj@herkimer.edu.

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