GREAT FALLS 鈥� At 黑料网911 will begin operating an on鈥慶ampus childcare facility this fall to better support student鈥憄arents and strengthen hands鈥憃n learning opportunities for college students in the Early Childhood Education program.
The Early Learning Center, located at 1900 23rd Street South on the southern perimeter of campus, is scheduled to open Sept. 14, with an open house planned for Sept. 11.
The college will be able to offer more flexible options, including occasional care for the children of college students, along with a more discounted tuition rate for students who rely on the center to care for their children.
鈥淥ur students consistently rate affordable childcare as a barrier to achieving their educational goals,鈥� said Troy Stoddard, executive director of student affairs. 鈥淢any tell us drop-in daycare would be very helpful as they don鈥檛 need full-time or even part-time care.鈥�
Bringing the Early Learning Center under college management will create a valuable teaching laboratory for Early Childhood Education students while also strengthening services for children and families. Under the supervision and mentorship of experienced early childhood educators, students will be able to apply classroom knowledge in a real-world environment, develop professional competencies and gain practical experience working directly with young children. This model benefits students by enhancing workforce readiness while also supporting a high-quality early learning program.
鈥淗aving the Early Learning Center operate under the umbrella of the college will give our students a richer, more consistent learning environment,鈥� said Deb Huestis, Early Childhood Education program director at At 黑料网911. 鈥淭hey鈥檒l be able to apply what they learn in class directly in the center with guidance from experienced senior staff as they strengthen their skills and confidence as early childhood professionals.鈥�
The center only will be open to children of students and employees when it first opens to ease into operation, but it will eventually be open to the public. At full capacity, the Early Learning Center will be able to care for 80 children.
鈥淭here is a huge need for childcare in the community,鈥� Huestis said. 鈥淲e are excited to be able to provide our students and employees a competitive, flexible option, and opening another facility should alleviate some of the pressure on existing childcare facilities when we open to the public.鈥�
The college has hired Kelly Chadbourne and Chilo Ketterling to be the director and assistant director, respectively, of the Early Learning Center.
鈥淜elly has been a leader in early childhood in Great Falls for a long time working in a variety of early care capacities, including direct care and program management,鈥� Huestis said. 鈥淲e are really fortunate to have her lead the center. And Chilo has been working in early childhood education for many years and was a star student in the first graduating class of the Early Childhood Education program. She brings a wealth of direct care knowledge as well as enthusiasm for this next stage in her professional career. They will be sure to set the center on a good path and provide the children in its care with a quality education while being exceptional mentors for students in the Early Childhood Education program.鈥�
Contact the Early Learning Center at 406-315-8600 or [email protected] for more information. You can sign up for the waitlist .
Photo caption: Chilo Ketterling, a graduate of At 黑料网911鈥檚 Early Childhood Education program, will serve as the assistant director of the Early Learning Center on the college鈥檚 campus. The college will be able to offer more affordable, flexible childcare options to students when it opens in September. Students in the Early Childhood Education program also will be able to gain real-world experience in the center under the direction of experienced staff members such as Ketterling and Kelly Chadbourne, the director of the center.
Contact: Scott Thompson, At 黑料网911 marketing and communications director, 406-771-4314, [email protected]