By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
For Barton Community College, the benefits of the Child Development Center (CDC) on campus always outweigh the barriers to keeping the daycare service open.
Opening in 1978 as a lab setting for the Child Care & Guidance program, the CDC provided daycare for Barton students first and if there were openings, for staff and faculty.
In 2000, the college built a new dormitory and the current CDC building was constructed on the north end. With the new building, Barton expanded their service to community members, staff and students with children.
Barton Community College Board of Trustees Chairmain
Mike Johnson has served on the board for 22 years, and mentions there is often a
misconception that the daycare center makes money…that is not the case.
"Every year we sit through a presentation where we talk about losses, and as a board I think we made the determination a number of years ago that we don't care about the losses when it comes to the Child Development Center," said Johnson. "We care about the losses but we understand the importance of the childcare center from the college and community standpoint."
The college stays committed to offering the Child Development Center as it
provides jobs to five full-time, two part-time and 14 student employees. The
daycare serves two Barton students, 12 staff members and 33 community members.
The facility also allows approximately four students per year a lab setting for
the Child Care & Guidance program and job shadowing opportunities for
others.
It is because of this service to the community, employees and students that the college overlooks a five-year average annual loss of approximately $139,853.
Vice President of Student Services Angie Maddy presented information
on the CDC at Tuesday’s Board of Trustees study session and told the board that
several years ago they calculated that roughly 85 percent of the cost to run
the daycare comes from salaries and benefits.
"They (full-time employees at CDC) are the same benefits that I receive and all the full-time employees receive," said Maddy. "That is a pretty big deal in the childcare world. You don't often find full-time benefits."
Barton President Dr. Carl Heilman noted during the COVID-19 pandemic, the
college had to look at everything and evaluate its worth. Looking at the CDC
and the steps and requirements the college had to take to keep the service
available, Heilman said you have to question the value.
"When I see the essential workers and families being served, that provides a very good picture and understanding of the need and value beyond the dollars lost," said Heilman. "I am pleased to be associated with it and it's great that we provide this ongoing service to the communities."
The CDC use to employ 25-27 student workers each semester, but reduced that number
to 14 following several issues with COVID-19 quarantines.
The CDC is licensed for 60 children and is currently operating with 47.