Bronx Community College (BCC) now has an infant and toddler program to help alleviate the burden of student parents who are in pursuit of a degree and trying to raise a child at the same time.
On Friday, April 5, BCC held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the official opening of the institution’s Early Childhood Center infant and toddler program, which will provide more than just childcare, but also a commitment to student parents in blending quality education with family support.
The celebratory event, held on BCC’s campus located in the University Heights section of the Bronx, was attended by local elected officials, BBC staff, child care workers, student parents and others, who witnessed the official opening of the school’s new childcare center, which will make the lives of BCC student parents easier while they pursue a betterment of education.
Children who attend the Early Childhood Center will participate in age-appropriate activities such as puppetry, sign language instruction and other hands-on learning, while also receive music education on a weekly basis.
The Early Childhood Center, a nationally accredited state-of-the-art full service facility, will allow BCC student parents to focus on their education and have less distractions, knowing that their children are safe, well-fed and well-attended to in a creative and nurturing environment, while they develop and grow with other children in a group setting.
Dr. Manny Lopez, interim vice president of Bronx Community College, emceed the ribbon-cutting ceremony and introduced each of the event’s speakers.
“Success results from parents, from what they pass on to us,” said Dr. Milton Santiago, interim president of Bronx Community College. “I’m happy that there is an option for student parents who, under other circumstances, might not be able to attend college and obtain a degree.”
“This is a welcome space — a place where student parents and their children should feel like they are part of a family,” Santiago added. “I believe in what’s being done here and I know this center will have tremendous value in the future.”
Santiago also said that the new center will help “lift the weight” for student parents who are already faced with a difficult task in raising a child.
“How much do parents spend for childcare on a weekly, monthly or yearly basis? The costs add up,” said U.S. Rep. Adriano Espaillat, who represents the borough’s 13th Congressional District, which includes parts of the West Bronx as well as Upper Manhattan. “Now, student parents have a center that will make it easier for them to continue to learn and achieve while also providing their children with education and nutrition — because you need energy to learn!”
Student parents who attend BCC say that the new center will help aid them and lift the burden when it comes to the simultaneous task of obtaining a degree and raising a child.
“I had to put off an internship because I didn’t have the time and I couldn’t afford childcare,” said Haruka Koszer, a horticulture student parent of two children,who is slated to graduate from BCC in the spring. “It’s hard to find enough time to study — the other night I was up at 2 a.m. trying to take care of my child while I was studying for an exam.”
“Having children should not be a hurtle for educational desire and this center coming to fruition is an example of that,” Koszer added.
“They are so kind, caring and supportive here,” said Katherine Reyes, another student parent, whose son Liam was one of the first children accepted into BCC’s infant and toddler program. “I love seeing his face when gets off the elevator each day to walk into the program — it’s one of pure excitement and happiness.”
Reyes is currently working on completing four radiology prerequisites in order to pursue her associate’s degree in radiology.
“[Friday’s] ribbon-cutting ceremony marks [BCC’s] significant commitment to childcare,” said Jitinder Walia, executive director of BCC’s Early Childhood Center who has 35 years of experience as an educator and school administrator. “(BCC)’s dedication to its students as well as their children has been instrumental in making this happen — and we look forward to shaping these children’s tomorrows.”
Other elected officials in attendance who are also parents spoke about the importance of the new center and how it will prove beneficial to student parents at BCC.
“This is transformative change that is taking place right here in the Bronx,” said Deputy Borough Commissioner Janet Peguero, a mother who is also expecting. “They say ‘it takes a village’ — well, BCC, you are building that village, because you are providing holistic support for academic careers and making their academic goals accessible. This is a blueprint for other schools to follow.”
Following Peguero, Assembly Member Yudelka Tapia, a mother of four sons, brought up the fact that the cost of child care in the Bronx is the highest of any county in the country, with nearly half (47%) of a household income in the borough spent on childcare each year.
“This new center is truly a game-changer and today is a celebration but also a reaffirmation to (BCC)’s commitment to its students and their children,” Tapia added.
The new infant and toddler program at BCC’s Early Childhood Center will now serve student parents with children ages six weeks to two years old, building on the center’s program for children ages 2 to 12, which also includes sponsoring of the BCC After School Program.
The center’s expansion to also include infant and toddler is aligned with BCC’s mission to support the success of every student.
BCC is the first National Association of Education for Young Children (NAEYC) accredited infant and toddler program among the 18 campus-based CUNY childcare centers.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony occurred during Friday’s earthquake, which took place at around 10:30 a.m. registered a 4.8 magnitude. The event was not disrupted by the earthquake itself, but there was a break in the action due to people in attendance receiving alerts on their cellular devices.
Reach Steven Goodstein at sgoodstein@schnepsmedia.com or (718) 260–8326. For more coverage, follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @bronxtimes
