For many mothers, it’s hard attending Bakersfield College while raising a child.
The time and effort they put into school and the love and attention a child needs make it impossible for mothers to split themselves in half.
For that reason, mothers begin to drop out of college while others try different options that usually cost more than expected.
BC provides a day care center for children of attending parents. Denise Ehret, childcare registrar, explains how the center can help you go through the process to enroll your child.
“You have to fill out an application, which puts them on a priority list,” Ehret said. “The waiting list depends on the openings or what their income is.”
If enrolled full time, it’s usually a one to two semester wait for infants. Older children get in just a little faster, but it all depends on the openings.
The day care center is funded by the state, which goes by the gross monthly income for the household. As for the age limit, they start at three months to five years of age.
“You can apply whenever you can fill out an application,” said Ehret. “The only restrictions we have are when mothers are pregnant, we will ask them to apply after she has the baby.”
The day care center provides breakfast, lunch and snacks for kids because they are also a part of the childcare food program.
The infants are provided with just about every thing except dippers and wipes. There are activities for the children, such as music, story time and even science activities. All programs are age appropriate.
“Mothers feel very comfortable with us,” said Ehert. “Not only is it the staff, but there’s also lab students and child development classes observing. We do require parents to participate at least one hour and a half per week so there’s parents in the center as well.”
Virgina Bustillos has her child enrolled with the center and has been very pleased with the program.
“The people here are so professional, it’s wonderful the way they help me with my kid,” Bustillo said. “If it wasn’t for them I would be at home unable to study.”
Bustillos commented that there is a waiting list, but it’s all worth it in the end. She is very comfortable, and her child is happy as well.
There does come a time when mothers just can’t wait, and they need assistance right away.
Ehert suggested other ways mothers can find help. There are fliers posted on the walls were people have their own day care in the Child Development Office.
The EOPS has their own care program, which gives mothers another option.
The BC day care center is licensed by the state and goes by the state guidelines.
Regular hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It also provides extensive care from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. for parents who work.