Clarkstown School District Opening Childcare Centers This Month

Clarkstown Central School District Superintendent Margaret Keller-Cogan said the Childcare and Early Learning Program in district buildings will open on Wednesday, August 31. The childcare program, agreed to as part of contract negotiations with district employees, was initially proposed for employees’ children only. But Keller-Cogan said there will be available slots and the board of education will be asked at its August 18 meeting to consider opening up enrollment to the general public.

She said there is lower than anticipated enrollment but expects that will change because people will be interested in a childcare program affiliated with the school district. Previously, the district thought a lottery would be necessary to assign spaces. The lottery would have been held today.

“Once it gets up and running there will be a greater response,” predicted Keller-Cogan. “We do not need to have a lottery.”

The centers will be located at Link Elementary School, New City Elementary School and the Chestnut Grove District Administration Offices in New City. The superintendent expected at least two of the childcare classrooms would open on August 31. Up to 76 children are expected to be enrolled during the first year of operation.

Members of the community spoke to the superintendent about making open slots available to non-district employees 

“It’s an idea that makes sense,” she said, explaining that taxpaying residents should also have the option to attend.

The center’s overhead costs are lower because they are in existing building with utilities. The service will be self-supporting according to the superintendent.

The proposal to the school board will recommend the same monthly fees for employees and non-employees. The board will also be asked to approve the hiring of the teaching and support staff for the centers. Interviews for teachers are continuing.

The Childcare and Early Learning Program will:

• Open from 6:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Accept children from six weeks old to five years old
• Cost $870 monthly for Pre-K age children, three to five years old
• Cost $900 monthly for infants and toddlers, six weeks to three years old
• Follow the district’s 185 school day calendar

New City Elementary will house an infant and toddler program, Link Elementary will offer Pre-K and Chestnut Grove will have the full range of classes from infant through Pre-K.

Keller-Cogan says construction is under way at the locations and furniture has been ordered. The Chestnut Grove location previously housed a commercial childcare center and the space is already licensed by the state. New York has to approve licenses for the New City and Link locations.

Registration information can be found online. A $100 non-refundable application fee is required. Clarkstown schools open for the 2011-2012 school year on Tuesday, September 6.