Juggling classes, studying for tests, writing papers -- it's something all University of Memphis students can relate to.
But having the added responsibility of caring for a child, finding reasonably priced child care and trying to be a full-time student would put most people into a tailspin.
Diane, a graduate student who asked that her last name not be used, found out how expensive child care can be when she tried to find a place to take her son. A single mother, she lost her baby-sitter three weeks before the fall semester was finished. She missed the last weeks of a required class in order to stay home with her 3-year-old son, which impacted her grade in the class.
"I called Harding and Christian Brothers child care centers," she said. "They wanted $600 to $1,000 a month. If I could afford that, then I could stay at home and wouldn't have to work."
What Diane did not know at the time is The U of M offers day care to students at a fraction of the cost of other child care facilities in the area.
Jennifer Cook, assistant director of The U of M Child Development Center, said the facility is opened to students only. She said even though they would like to offer the service to faculty, they cannot due to space limitations. She said if a faculty member is also a student, then they would qualify as an applicant.
"Openings are a frustration for mothers," Cook said, referring to the facility's waiting list.
Cook said every semester they have a waiting list of five to 10 children, but most times can fit the children in due to parents changing their schedules and dropping out of classes.
Jacqueline Jones, director of The Child Development Center, said there are some available openings this semester.
"Usually after the first exam, we have people who drop out," Cook said.
Scott Clark, an undergraduate nursing student, and his wife, who is active duty Air Force, said they've had their 4-year-old son, Zachary, enrolled in the center for over a year. The Clarks give the center high marks for its program.
"They do a wonderful job," Scott Clark said.
"We are not a baby-sitting service," Jones said. "We prepare our preschoolers for school."
Jones said she's also proud of the "Read To Me" program, which is a joint effort with the Memphis Literacy Council. The Child Development Center was chosen by the MLC as one of their partners when they kicked off the "Read To Me" program.
"Parents who participate in this program sign a contract," Jones said. "They promise to read at least 15 minutes a day to their children from books we choose."
Jones said the center's staff also read aloud to the children and monitor the children's progress in the program.
Cook said the center requires employees to have previous child care experience, and personal references are checked out. They have one full-time preschool teacher -- the rest of the staff are all students. Cook said the center does not require the student staff to be majoring in education.
The center is open late to accommodate students' class schedules. Monday through Thursday, the center's hours from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. On Friday, the center is open from 7:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Cook said if enough people sign up ahead of time, the center will open on Saturdays.
Cook said students sign a contract at the beginning of the semester stating the hours they need. They are charged a fee of $2.00 per child per hour. Students are required to pay at the beginning of each week, and the center allows the students to change their contractual hours one or two times during the semester. Students who drop off their children but don't have a contract pay $2.50 an hour, and are not guaranteed care, depending on space availability for the day.
"They realize parents don't have a lot of money," Clark said. "They adjust the pay rate so parents won't go bankrupt."
Jones said the center is subsidized from Student Activity Fees.
Cook said the minimum age for enrolled children is 30 months, and the maximum is 12 years old. The center has a pre-kindergarten program and an after-school program for the older children.
Jones said she enjoys the center's Summer program. She said the children take a field trip every day and have an opportunity for hands-on learning.
"The summer program is designed for children to learn through activity," Jones said.
The program runs for six weeks for both Summer I and II sessions, the cost is a $50 activity fee for each session.
"We take them to the Children's Museum, Putt-Putt golfing, the Botanical Gardens -- anything where they can learn," Jones said.
"The school year curriculum has been designed by the Child Care Center," Cook said. "We have different themes each day to make it interesting for the children."
This March will mark the center's eighth year in operation.
The Child Care Center is located in front of The Carpenter Apartments at 3875 Tiger Paws South Road. The phone number is 678-5059.
