MCC offers student parents affordable child daycare during classes
Charissa Price
Some MCC students not only face the tremendous pressures of their academics, but also have the responsibility of caring for a child who is depending on them for nurture and support.Finding time to study and having the funds for classes and childcare are just a few issues single parent students face.
The MCC Children’s Center strives to provide a convenient, safe, and fun atmosphere for children, making education more feasible for single parent students.
Center hours are from 7 a.m. -7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Friday.
The Children’s Center offers parents affordable child care during classes and also allows students time to study while knowing that their precious little ones are having fun close by.
Another option for single parent students is the Pell grant in which recipients can receive a discounted rate calculated by their income.
The Children’s Center acting supervisor Kris Bliss, informed “I applied for a grant called Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMIS),” to help students who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford daycare.
This grant from the U.S. Department of Education was received. Bliss is enthusiastic about the importance of being able to provide a caring environment for children and students.
“It touches me, feeling as is if I can help them be successful, that I helped that one family grow and achieve something,” Bliss said.
“I couldn’t be happier,” said single mother Jamie Eastwood.
“I don’t have the option of not working. It’s a lot tougher because I have to balance. There is no option to have fun and relax, it’s work all the time.”
Stacy Chavez MCC Nursing student and 24-year-old single mother has found a way to incorporate study time at home by hosting homework time with her two children.
“I want to set an example for my kids,” Chavez said.
Her advice to other parents trying to manage their time to incorporate school in their schedule is, “You have to set goals. If you have a schedule and you stick to it you can get so much done.”
Program advisor for career and re-entry students Paula Waybright encourages students to come visit her for anything. Whether it is advice for classes or helping form a schedule that could help students balance work, studies, home and family.
