Despite Mississippi State University’s Aiken Village closing after Dec. 2011, Aiken Village Preschool will remain in business.
Carol Jones, director of Aiken Village Preschool, said the apartments closing will have no affect on her organization, which will remain intact and open.
During the demolition of Aiken Village apartments, the preschool will not be evacuated.
“We were told that they would put up a safe barrier so that we can remain open and there would be no safety issues for the children or the parents,” Jones said.
Courtney Benefield, lead teacher and assistant director of Aiken Village Preschool, said she is extremely excited to keep her job.
“With this being my first year teaching, I love working here,” she said. “I know that the building’s old. I know that we can definitely use an upgrade, but there’s so much learning going on in this preschool and, whether the building is old or not, we’ve been blessed that they’re going to keep it here.”
Jones said in spite of the building’s age, which dates back to the ’70s, closing the preschool is not an option at this time.
“We currently have 34 children enrolled, which is our maximum capacity, and we still have 48 children remaining on the waiting list just for this year,” she said.
Jones said the preschool has children enrolled by MSU students, staff and faculty, as well as from members of the Starkville community. It is one of 27 child care facilities in the state to be nationally accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.
Dianna Davis has worked as a teacher at Aiken Village Preschool for 25 years. She said it is great the daycare will remain open despite the apartments closing.
“I’ve been here long enough to retire, but I’m not ready to retire. I enjoy my job,” she said. “We’ve had two and three children from a lot of the families that have brought their children here, and I think it’s great. We want to keep having younger siblings come here because they enjoy it so much.”
Shirley Ross parent of three children attending the preschool, said she is happy the facility is staying open.
“This is a great place, … one of the best [preschools] in Starkville. I’m glad my kids can stay here,” she said.
MSU students receiving a Pell Grant who need childcare assistance can receive money toward their tuition through the Child Care Access Means Parents In School program.
“We have ten MSU students with pell grants who have their children here,” Jones said. “That gives those students the opportunity to have quality child care for their children. That’s, to me, a valuable resource for our MSU students.”
Fees for MSU students with children enrolled in the preschool will be charged monthly to their MSU accounts.
“It’s like a little family — the teachers that are working here,” Benefield said of the preschool. “Personally, I don’t have any children. I don’t even have any animals, so these children are like my children, and with these parents, it’s just like a big family.”
The Aiken Village apartments will be demolished after Dec. 2011.
Ann Bailey, Director of Housing and Residence Life, said the buildings, which were constructed in 1963, have poor infrastructure and would be too expensive to renovate.
Another  factor in closing the Aiken Village apartment complex is the cost of a new sprinkler system, which could cost near a million dollars, Bill Kibler, vice president for Student Affairs, said.
The university has not yet decided on what it will do with the space left over after Aiken’s demolition.
One possibility is a new student housing facility, Bailey said.
The apartments will not be rebuilt. To build a new Aiken Village, which would cost from $50 to $100 million, is not a financial option for the university, Kilber said.
After Dec. 2011, the university will no longer offer apartment style housing.
For more information about CCAMPIS or the rates and fees of Aiken Village Preschool, call Carol Jones at 325-3909.