NHCTC President Kathy Eneguess (right in photo) and NHCTC Child Care Program Director Susan Blais (left) visit the new site of the CCSNH-Berlin Child Care center, discussing the potential of the space for an indoor garden and science center. The new center will be open year round, an exciting change for the program.
When college students return to classes in September at New Hampshire Community College in Berlin, they'll be woeful that summer has ended. But the toddlers and preschoolers enrolled at the college will be jumping for joy! They will be moving into a new child care facility, with plenty of new and exciting enhancements.
CCSNH-Berlin is pleased to announce that the College's Child Care center will be moving from its current 2020 Riverside Drive location to 15 Twitchell Lane when classes begin September 5th. Along with the change of address, the program also announced they will be open year round, and will be combining both licensed program groups - ages 3 months to 12 years - under one roof. The scheduled changes will allow for an increase in the number of children accepted in to the program. "We are very excited for the first time to have the facility open year round. This will be a great change for the students as well as the community," said President Kathy Eneguess.
The building was originally designed by local architect Tim Sappington and built by Larry Richards in the 1980s. After being vacant for years, the property was acquired by the College. The NHCTC maintenance staff is currently renovating the bulding, including painting the walls, installing windows, changing the bathrooms to include child-size facilities, and clearing and fencing-in the outdoor space. "Generous donations from area businesses that are helping with the cost of renovations will ultimately benefit children and families using the Center. Many thanks to Round Table Farm and Greenhouse, Shaw's Supermarket, Berlin IGA, Aubuchon Hardware/Glidden Paints, especially Eric and Rob at ICI Paints, Arnold Drouin, Northwoods Rafting, Serge Leveille, and a huge note of thanks to staff and faculty at NHCTC for your ongoing support" said Child Care Program Director, Susan Blair. The new building promises to be a safe place where children are protected and easily supervised by trained early childhood educators, all credentialed through NH's Early Childhood Professional Development System.
In keeping with the superior service provided by the NHCTC Child Care Program, children will enjoy hours of dramatic play, sand and water activities, art areas, reading corners, resting areas, an indoor garden and science area, a block area, and a family room where children and parents enter the program each day to transition to school.
The Child Care Program is a model for other child care centers, something which Blais said will only be improved upon come September. "This move creates a wonderful opportunity for us to build on our quest to provide high quality child care and to train qualified teachers of young children. Our goal is to help meet the child care needs of this community and I invite parents to call or visit" said Blais.
The program will be undergoing a re-accreditation process through the National Academy of Early Childhood Programs, and is licensed by the State of NH Bureau of Child Care Licensing. A community open house for the new center is planned for August 30th, from 3-6:30 PM. The College's child care center is open to the entire community. Families interested in the program are urged to call Susan Blais at 603-752-1113 ext. 1460.
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