Pikes Peak makes college family affair

0 Comments | Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Apr 13, 2004 | by ANDREA BROWN THE GAZETTE

On this campus, it's OK to giggle, romp and act like a 2-year- old.

In fact, it's encouraged.

Pikes Peak Community College opened two Child Development Centers with space for 230 children from six weeks to 12 years old.

The centers at the Centennial and Rampart Range campuses took years of planning and allow many parents to attend college. Funds come from community groups, individuals and student fees.

At Monday's Centennial dedication, ribbons were tied, not cut, to symbolize the project.

"It is to create a visual representation of our connections with our children, with our college community and the broader Colorado Springs community," said PPCC President Joseph Garcia, proudly adding, "We have the cutest kids in town."

Freckle-faced 5-year-old Bobby Jones was among the chain of people big and small tying strings of ribbon into one long, colorful strand.

After showing a visitor the bounty of games, books and toys in his sparkling classroom, he rushed outside to play "Brother Bear" with his playground pals.

The Centennial center, 5675 S. Academy Blvd., has 11 classrooms, with room for 130 students.

The center it replaced had three classrooms and served children ages 1 to 5.

"Our waiting lists were two years long," said Cynthia Neale- Downing, director of PPCC Child Care Services. "Sometimes students would get through their program here before they could get their child in."

Classrooms have microphones and observation booths, serving as a lab for education, psychology and nursing students.

"It's a learning center for children and it's a learning center for adults, as well," Neale-Downing said.

The centers open doors for parents, who pay sliding-scale fees based on income.

"Without the CDC here, I would not be in school," said student Sarah Keene, 26, mother of two daughters, McKenna, 3, and Piper, 2.

"My husband just came back from a deployment. He was in Iraq for a year. It was the CDC or nothing."

While Keene serves in student government and works on her degree in criminal justice, her daughters develop educational and social skills.

PPCC Foundation Board President Jerry Singleton got a bit of an education while working on the project.

"I made the mistake one time of referring to these facilities as nurseries," he said. "I've never been more politically incorrect in my life."

The Rampart Range center, 11195 Colorado Highway 83, is open to the public, not just PPCC students. For information, call 538-5180.

For the Centennial Campus, call 540-7215.

CONTACT THE WRITER: 636-0253 or abrown@gazette.com