In September 2001 Aiken Village Preschool and ICS Head Start began a partnership program that would benefit its children and their families by extending their daycare hours for a night program. Aiken Village Preschool opened in 1970 and has taken care of the children ages three to five of Mississippi State students, staff and faculty, along with other children in the community since then.
The MSU Department of Housing and Residence Life gives the Aiken Village Preschool, located in the Aiken Village Student Housing Complex, administrative support.
MSU also uses the daycare as a lab school for the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, for MSU students to interact one-on-one with the children in daily activities.
On Jan. 7, the preschool began expanding its hours on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. for children of enrolled MSU students.
The Evening Childcare Program is partially funded by the U.S. Department of Education “Child Care Access Means Parents In School” grant.
“We understand that college students with children need extra help when it comes to child care,” Laura Damm, program coordinator said.
“College students have to rely on friends and family to watch their children in the evening, but now we have a program that can assist them,” Damm said.
Julia Park is the children’s instructor, along with a student worker who assists in the evenings.
Damm said that college students may need extra time in the library, a few hours to finish a paper, or even study time during exams, and the Aiken Village Preschool night program is a perfect option for their child-care.
“We hope to target this program toward younger undergraduate students with children,” Damm said.
The Evening Childcare Program has an income-sensitive fee scale, which means that parents pay based on income, number of children, and marital status, with rates from $2 to $8 per hour.
The Evening Program is also adding a meal plan for parents who are rushed to feed their child that will cost $1.50 per meal.
“Currently, we have five children enrolled in the program,” Damm said. “We are really hoping for 10 children to be added to our program this semester and would like to serve 20.”
There will be an interest meeting held March 25 at noon at the Early Childhood Institute on Blackjack Road.
“Anyone interested in childcare on campus is welcome to attend,” Damm said. “We would love to hear their concerns.”
According to Damm, the Aiken Village Preschool is working toward their national accreditation, a three-year process, which is the highest standard for childcare.
“For us to meet those standards would be a great honor of excellence,” Damm said.
“It’s not just a business,” Damm said, “It was set up to help MSU students in need of childcare and to be convenient.”
There are applications for the Evening Care Program at Aiken Village Preschool, and those interested should call 325-3909.