Children’s Center opens doors to new generation

After serving the community for 36 years, the Campus Community Children's Center (CCCC) has expanded to become its own space on the western edge of campus. The CCCC provides care to children in over seventy working and collegiate families.

The center strives to provide quality aid with primary care givers who tend to infants and toddlers aged eight weeks to five years. "We are the best of the best," said Judy Metzger, the center's director. Metzger added that the center retains a high employee retention rate. "Every time you change care givers, the child is given a shock." Metzger says that the high retention rate helps to maintain continuity for the children.

A new responsibility for the care givers is in the nurturing of infants, a task that could not be done at the old Thompson Hall location.

"Having this space helps us to focus on our jobs," said June Rockman, an employee at the center. "It is convenient to have storage space at hand and not have to go down to the basement whenever you needed something."

The parents of the center's child population is comprised of 25 percent university students, 25 percent campus employees, including professors and auxiliary employees such as custodial workers, secretaries, campus merchant employees and others. The remaining 50 percent of parents are community members SUNY students are eligible for grant money to pay for education costs at the center, according to Metzger.

Early childhood education programs, psychology, sociology and speech pathology programs at SUNY Fredonia can all benefit directly from the new center. Observation rooms behind mirrored glass overlook the class rooms. Two of the observation rooms can hold eight students and there is an additional four-person observation room.  

Internships are available through the early childhood education program. Speech pathology programs have taken language samples in the past, while students of psychology and sociology have studied the way children greet each other and interact. Studies in gender equality have been conducted as well.

Small square windows have been installed at "waddler" level for the curious eyes to inspect the outdoor playground. The center's indoor gym allows for physical therapy to be conducted, another service that could not be rendered in the old space, according to Metzger.

Volunteer opportunities are available and in great demand. Those who seek volunteer work must participate in an hour and a half long orientation session, get a physical and receive immunizations as per the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) licensing and National Association For The Education of Young Children (NAEYC) accreditations.

"Not all of the volunteers are childhood education students," said Metzger. "Sometimes students from other fields want a break from what they're used to." Matt Reiners is one of these volunteers. Reiners is a seniors sports management major who enjoys chasing and playing games with the children.

"I'll come during the afternoon, when they're ready to run around outside," he said. "We'll chase and play games, I'll try to get them into the sports stuff." Reiners added that his favorite part of the new building is the space itself.

Children at the center are encouraged to live a wholesome lifestyle, according to the student handbook. Violent clothing and imagery are not tolerated. Racial, gender and cultural equality are promoted and the diversity is celebrated. There is a kitchen on site which prepares nutritious food for the children. Class rooms teach about the importance of preserving the environment and our place within it. Beginning next year, the vegetable garden will start anew.

To enroll a child in the center students, faculty, and community members are encouraged to visit the website at http://childcarecccc.com/ or visit the center at the corner of Temple and Brigham road. The center has accumulated a waiting list which has come through word of mouth alone. The CCCC does not print or display any advertisement.