Extended day care hours provide additional support for the campus and surrounding community
POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. — JAN. 24, 2024 — Beginning January 22, the Louis Greenspan Day Care Center at Dutchess Community College will be open a half-hour later, until 5:30 p.m., to better accommodate the schedules of working and student parents.
The day care center, accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and licensed by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services, serves children ages 18 months to five years on a full- or part-time basis. It offers enriching toddler and preschool curricula, along with developmental screenings and parent-teacher conferences. Teachers are educated, trained and certified in early childcare and education.
“We strive to be as responsive as we can in meeting the needs of our families,” said Director of the Louis Greenspan Day Care Center Sandra Kraich. “An extra 30 minutes might not seem like a lot of time, but it makes a huge difference for parents who are often rushing from place to place trying to balance it all.”
Another childcare option at DCC is the June Roush Pierson Lab Nursery School, which houses a five-morning program for three- to five-year-old children. The location is also a laboratory school for the Early Childhood and Elementary Education (ECH/EED) students, serving as fieldwork and observation site for students studying to be early childhood teachers.
Program Chair and Instructor of Early Childhood and Elementary Education Jennifer Santosuosso shared, “The lab nursery school offers an amazing experience—both for the children, who receive exceptionally attentive care, and the students, who benefit immensely from being able to apply their skills while also engaging in research and academic study.”
Chief of Staff and Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness Susan Rogers stated, “There is a pressing need for quality, affordable childcare in our region. At DCC, we are dedicated to answering this need in a number of ways—from educating new and incumbent childcare professionals to providing direct services in collaboration with our regional childcare partners.”
Vice President for Instruction and Learning Dr. Raymond Houston said, “Reliable and convenient childcare is essential for students juggling the demands of parenthood on top of an already rigorous college education. DCC recognizes this necessity and strives to ensure student parents are well-supported. I’m proud to be part of an institution that prioritizes childcare, for our students and community.”
Vice President of Enrollment and Student Success Scott Schnackenberg shared, “In order for students to succeed in college, they need to be able to prioritize their studies. For students who are also parents, this means their children need quality caregivers. DCC’s day care center and lab nursery school not only provide excellent care, but they also work hard to align their offerings with the needs of the families they serve.”
President Peter Grant Jordan said, “As a community college, we are committed to serving families and individuals of all ages and backgrounds, and to promoting socioeconomic mobility. Accessible childcare is a necessary part of the equation. DCC has long been at the forefront of childcare advocacy, and we are continuously looking for ways to do more—for our students and the broader community.”
For more information about childcare options, visit sunydutchess.edu/childcare. You may also contact Sandra at Louis Greenspan Day Care Center, kraich@sunydutchess.edu and (845) 431-8085 or Elaine at the June Roush Pierson Lab Nursery School, myrianth@sunydutchess.edu or (845) 431-8364.
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