A steady stream of parents, some with infants, others with toddlers toured the Clarkstown School District’s Childcare and Early Learning Program during its recent Open House.  The children happily played with the large assortment of colorful toys while their parents looked around and asked questions about the daily schedule, number of enrolled children and what types of items had to be brought in after enrollment.

Open registration begins Tuesday for the 2012 – 2013 school year for Clarkstown School District employees’ children or grandchildren. The first of three possible childcare centers opened at the Chestnut Grove District Offices.  This is the last day that enrollment is limited to current students.

Carolyn and Tristan Locke attended the Open House because they are planning ahead.  Carolyn, who works at Strawtown Elementary School, is pregnant and due on April 25.  They liked what they saw.

“It looks really nice and clean and organized,” said Carolyn.  “All the equipment looks great and the toys.”

Tristan commented on the daily routines, which was posted inside each of the three classrooms.

Rachel and Howard Megdal started their visit in the infant room, which their 22- month-old daughter, Mirabelle, enjoyed exploring.  She picked up several colorful toys and brought them over to her parents.

Currently Howard, who works from home, watches Mirabelle, but her parents are looking for more interaction with other children.

“We are (looking) for next year for some preschool, some socialization,” said Rachel.

In the neighboring toddler room, Program Director Sandra Wirchansky was explaining the center’s approach to several parents.

“Everything is an opportunity for instruction,” she said, adding that when the toddlers hear the bell they know it is circle time.

As of March 1, there will be 23 children from six months old to four and a half years old enrolled fulltime at Chestnut Grove.  Wirchansky noted that number is almost double from the 12 children who started when it opened in September. Three of the children will graduate in June and move up to kindergarten. 

The program is licensed to enroll children from six weeks old to five years old. Its three classrooms at Chestnut Grove serve infants from six weeks old to 18 months old, toddlers from 18 months old to three years old and pre-school children from three years old to five years old. It is open from 6:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and follows the school district calendar.

Wirchansky said the capacity at Chestnut Grove is 31 and based on the interest expressed at the Open House and through phone calls and emails from other parents; she is optimistic that an additional location will be needed in the fall. Those parents with children currently enrolled would get first choice of which site they wanted. The other buildings that have been earmarked for additional childcare services are New City Elementary School for infants and toddlers and Link Elementary School for preschoolers.

“Basically we only have to fill the remaining spots,” she said.  “It’s looking likely we’ll need more space for next year.  The more likely would be New City for the infant and toddler (program).  The demand for infant and toddler (enrollment) is the highest.”

Wirchansky said they could be close to the number needed.

“If the people who were just here tonight registered, we wouldn’t have the room for the toddlers,” she said.

Carolyn Lavan and her 19-month-old son, Brian, were looking around the toddler room.  Lavan, who teaches at Clarkstown South High School, said she and her husband were interested in a part-time program for their son for structure and more socialization with children his own age. 

The center does not currently offer a part-time option.  The toddler room only has space for one more child for the remainder of this school year.  The children have an outdoor play area and in bad weather use the building's meeting room where popup tents can be set up or dance parties can be held for them.

The opening of the childcare center was along the same line as the startup of the Community Learning Center program several years ago.  According to Superintendent Margaret Keller-Cogan, the district loaned money to the Childcare Center to purchase furniture and other items.  The funds will be paid back in full as the Learning Center did.  Once the center is filled to capacity, repayment is expected to begin.

“I anticipate we will pay off the loan by the end of 12-13 for the Day Care,” said Keller-Cogan.  “To date the district is owed approximately $110,000.” 

In addition to Wirchansky, there are three full-time employees, nine part-time assistants plus several high school volunteers.   The agreement to open the childcare center was negotiated into several of the district’s union contracts.