The JCC was selected in mid-October, says Mark Richman, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering. "Compared to other providers that we considered, the JCC provides its teachers with higher salaries and more generous benefits which, in turn, attract more highly qualified teachers and result in extremely low teacher-turnover rates," says Richman, a member of the WPI Day Care Committee who now shares the advisory board of The Children's Center at WPI. "In addition, it operates with more favorable teacher-to-child ratios than the minimum required by the Massachusetts Office for Children, and enhances its program by hiring specialists in music, art, and physical education."
JCC Executive Director Myron Flagler and Early Childhood Director Karen Rosen have been meeting with John Miller, Director of the Physical Plant, and with architect Jordan O'Connor of Barre, Mass., to complete final plans for the building. "Last year, the WPI Trustees approved the development of an on-campus day care center," explains Marina Pascucci, Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering. Pascucci chaired the WPI Day Care Committee and is an active member of the current advisory board. "Plans are to redesign the interior of 15/17 Schussler Road to meet Office for Children guidelines and to provide a home-like environment for children. The house next door will be demolished to provide parking spaces and additional space for a playground. We plan to seek bids for the work very soon and begin construction in early March."
The current plan provides space for a total of 45 children: seven infants (2 - 15 months), 18 toddlers (15 months - 3 years) and 20 preschoolers (3- and 4-year olds). The center will be open year-round from 7:30am to 6pm, and will follow the WPI holiday calendar. The facility will be self-supporting. Tuition discounts and first preference in enrollments will be provided to full-time WPI students, faculty and staff; alumni will also receive some enrollment preference. Members of the general community will have the opportunity to apply for any other available slots.
Planning for the center was initiated in 1993 by Assistant Controller Yvonne Harris, who co-chaired the day care committee with Pascucci. Last winter, a survey sent to all WPI employees verified the need for a nearby facility. In January 1995, Harris, Pascucci and Richman presented the committee's views to the President's Cabinet, which approved the establishment of the center. In addition to Harris, Pascucci and Richman, the committee was comprised of Admissions Director Kay Dietrich, Assistant Professor of History Peter Hansen, Administrative Assistant Pauline Lavallee and Instructional Media Center Director Penny Turgeon.
"For the first time, members of the WPI community will have access to day care that is of superb quality and is extremely convenient," says Richman. "Establishing The Children's Center at WPI demonstrates that on the issue of day care, the university is a forward-thinking institution. The center will provide a significant advantage when it comes to recruiting and retaining faculty, staff and nontraditional students. And, of course, it sends a positive signal to all of us at WPI whose morale is very much tied to the welfare of our children."
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