NEWARK – Delaware Technical Community College is progressing steadily in its efforts to establish a child development center on each of its campuses with Friday’s groundbreaking at the Stanton Campus.
“This project was made possible by the support of Senator Carper, Senator Coons, Representative Blunt-Rochester, Governor John Carney, and Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long,” Dr. Mark Brainard, Delaware Tech president, said. “We sincerely appreciate the support they consistently give to the College, our students, and the community. When this project is complete, we will have child development centers on all of our four campuses.”
The 11,000-square-foot child development center will operate as a licensed childcare facility designed to serve up to 80 children, encompassing five classrooms, a multi-purpose room and three playgrounds, tailored to age groups ranging from infant to pre-K.
Backed by federal American Rescue Plan Act funds, the $7 million project will employ 140 construction and design workers and 15 full-time care center employees upon completion in January 2025.
“When we were crafting the American Rescue Plan to help uplift our communities, this is just the kind of project our Congressional Delegation had in mind,” U.S. Sen. Tom Carper said in a statement. “This project will directly help the people of Delaware with one of our greatest needs: access to affordable childcare. This center will not only help families, it will also help our economy so parents can go back to school and work. I am grateful to Delaware Technical Community College for tackling our childcare crisis head on, and I am proud our federal funds are helping this effort.”
Among Delaware Tech’s four campuses, the Stanton Campus is currently the only one without a child development center. The other campuses located in Dover, Georgetown and Wilmington offer affordable childcare for part-time and full-time students and staff and community members. Childcare services are provided from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. with pricing ranging from $125 to $232 per week, varying by campus location.
“For decades, Delaware Technical Community College has expertly provided parents with the tools, resources, and flexibility needed to earn their degrees and take care of their families,” U.S. Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester said. “Thanks to funding from the American Rescue Plan Act, which I proudly voted for, the Stanton Campus will soon join the other three Del Tech campuses and have its own Child Development Center for families to use. This center will help parents continue to grow their skills and earn their degrees with the peace of mind that their children are receiving quality care during their most formative years – helping grow our economy, strengthen our workforce, and support child development all at the same time.”
