Parkland’s Child Development Center (PCDC) can be beneficial to you if you are a student parent, or a student interested in getting experience with childcare.
This hidden treasure is in the G Wing on the main Parkland campus. This provides an accessible service to student parents who come to campus.
As stated on Parkland’s website, “Parkland College Child Development Center is a demonstration laboratory school that provides a quality, affordable, individualized program.” This center offers daycare services that are accessible to students, staff, and the community.
This is beneficial for people who are balancing their responsibilities as parents and students. In addition to offering daycare facilities, the PCDC also provides a learning opportunity for students interested in childcare.
One of the Child Development Centers’ goals is to help student parents in the district 505 area get access to education. Another one of the Child Development Centers’ goals is to provide affordable childcare. Assistant Director of the PCDC, Melissa Munster states, “Our tuition rates are based on the family’s income. A part of the paperwork that you will fill out for your child, will help us determine what Tier of Income parents fall under. Parkland Students also get an 8% discount! We also take agency payments, such as CCRS. We also offer the CCAMPIS grant for students and this grant can help with your childcare cost depending on the number of credit hours you are taking.”
As listed on Parkland News, to be eligible for this program you must:
- have a 6-week to 5-year-old child in need of childcare and have successfully completed enrollment at PCDC
- be currently enrolled as a Parkland student
- maintain a grade point average of at least 2.5 out of 4.0 in subsequent semesters
- provide documents to determine financial need, credit hours, and GPA
Meet some of the PCDC staff:
The Director of the PCDC asked some of her staff, “What is your favorite part about working in childcare here at Parkland?” Katie Woodworth, who has been the Infant Toddler teacher at the PCDC since the beginning of 2020, finds it amazing to watch the Children grow.
She also said that she loves the friendships she has made with her coworkers. Overall, she is living out her dream of being a teacher, helping students grow, and creating relationships with the children and their families.
Kyra Barber, who started working along with studying at Parkland in 2021, is an aide in a preschool classroom. She said that she loves working with children and PCDC lets her do so. Additionally, she enjoys the welcoming environment the PCDC provides.
For more information on the Child Development Center, visit their website or contact the PCDC at (217) 373-3777.
