BCCC Opens Childcare Center To Community

For the first time ever, Bucks County Community College is opening up its onsite childcare center to the public.

Bucks County Community College’s Early Learning Center, which has provided on-site childcare for children of students and staff since 1973, is expanding its hours and opening enrollment to the community, the college said in announcement this week.

“We recognized the need for high quality, affordable childcare, and so we decided to expand our services to community members as well,” said JoAnn Eckley, director and lead teacher at the ELC, said in a statement announcing the news. “We offer a unique learning environment that takes advantage of the resources available on the Newtown campus.”

The ELC provides full- and half-day care for potty-trained children ages 3 to 5 years old between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, and a summer day-camp program. The ELC is now open year-round, including between academic semesters, and is licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.

“At the heart of both our preschool and prekindergarten programs is wholehearted respect for children and belief in their abilities,” Eckley said. “These include carefully prepared learning environments, which offer children genuine choices and opportunities for exploration and discovery.”

In addition, the ELC teachers are able to take the children outside the classroom to explore the college library, gym, art gallery, and more, further enriching their daily experiences.

“What’s really different about us is our location on a college campus,” added Eckley. “Students majoring in early childhood education often use our classrooms as their laboratory – observing children, reading stories to them, and playing and interacting with them.”

Rates for community members range from $60 a week for two half days, to $250 a week for five full days.

Snacks are provided; children must bring their own lunches.

More information is available at www.bucks.edu/elc. For more information, contact JoAnn Eckley at joann.eckley@bucks.edu or 215-968-8082.

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