DCC Day Care Center Joins National Celebration of the Week of The Young Child

Release Date April 17, 2007

Poughkeepsie, N.Y. – The Louis Greenspan Day Care Center at Dutchess Community College celebrates the Week of the Young Child, which will be observed across the country April 22 through 28 by hundreds of local organizations that work to improve opportunities for all young children. The Louis Greenspan Day Care Center at DCC is sponsoring two exhibits of children’s artwork at the DCC campus and offering additional events for day care children and their families.

“High quality environments with caring, educated adults are crucial to the healthy growth and development of young children,” said Carol Murray, director of child care at Dutchess Community College. “The Week of the Young Child provides opportunities for all of us to recognize the importance of the early years, and to work together to build better futures for all children. I believe caring for young children is one of the most important jobs in the world. Young children must have exceptional early education and care which supports families, gives children a great start and brings lasting benefits for our society as a whole.”

DCC has been providing day care services to the children of students, faculty and staff since 1975 when DCC established the first day care center on a SUNY community college campus. The Louis Greenspan Day Care Center, which was dedicated in June 17, 2003, features bright, sunny classrooms, a children's library and an indoor playroom. Currently, the Center may serve up to 12 toddlers (ages 18 months to three years) and 28 pre-schoolers (ages three to five years). Since many children attend part-time, the Center actually serves about 60 families each semester.  In addition to Murray, the Center has six full time teachers and a part-time cook.

The availability of the Day Care Center has made college education accessible to many students who have been able to attend day classes knowing they had a safe and educational place for their children. “It’s very gratifying to support the efforts of students who are parents. We offer flexible schedules for those who are juggling the challenges of raising a family and the demands of college life,” said Murray. The teachers are all trained in early childhood education, and most are graduates of the early childhood program at the College. The program is also supported by student-teachers and part-time work study helpers. “The hallmark of the program is excellent adult-child ratios, caring relationships and rich interactions,” said Murray.

The Day Care Center at Dutchess Community College follows best practices for early education, as recommended by NAEYC (The National Association for the Education of Young Children). NAEYC is the largest organization of early childhood educators and others dedicated to improving the quality of early education programs for children birth through age eight. Founded in 1926, NAEYC has nearly 100,000 members and a national network of over 300 local, state, and regional affiliates.

An exhibit of two-dimensional artwork by children ages two through five will be displayed on the third floor of Hudson Hall immediately outside the entrance to the Ritz Library. Hudson Hall is open to the public 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 28. An exhibit of sculptural and mixed-media work by children ages two through five will be on display at the Louis Greenspan Day Care Center Library, which is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. For more information on DCC’s celebration of the Week of the Young Child or the Louis Greenspan Day Care Center, contact Director of Day Care Carol Murray at (845) 431-8085 or email her at murray@sunydutchess.edu

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