May 2nd 2024.
Are you an employee at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB)? If so, you'll be thrilled to hear about the new Early Learning Center that has just opened on campus! This facility was created to meet the increasing demand for childcare among UAB employees, and it's already proving to be a popular choice. In fact, all the spots at the center are filled up, and it's only just been inaugurated.
UAB President Ray L. Watts expressed his enthusiasm for the new center during the ribbon-cutting ceremony on April 30th. He stated, "We are delighted to unveil this modern and well-designed facility, which doubles our capacity to offer top-quality and convenient childcare and early learning opportunities." The university has spared no expense in creating this single-story center, which boasts a whopping 18,500 square feet of space. With classrooms, operational areas, and a massive 9,700-square-foot outdoor playground, this facility can accommodate up to 228 children and 46 infants.
This is fantastic news for UAB employees, who can now access quality childcare services at a reduced cost. The center offers discounted tuition and services to all UAB faculty, staff, and students, making it a practical and financially sustainable solution for working parents. Brian Burnett, Ph.D., the Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration, explains, "We understand the ongoing demand for reliable childcare options. Our goal is to make it easier for our employees to balance their work and family responsibilities by providing accessible and affordable childcare services."
Burnett's sentiments are echoed by AL.com, which reports that childcare is a pressing issue across the state of Alabama. UAB is no exception, but the institution is doing its part to address this issue. "We have had a waitlist for over 200 families for many years. These families are looking for childcare while they work, study, or serve in our hospital or as teachers in our various departments. The demand for our center has been overwhelming, and we are doing our best to open up more availability," Burnett shared.
UAB's Early Learning Center is not the only one of its kind. As reported by BLACK ENTERPRISE, other institutions, like San Antonio College, have also launched on-campus early learning programs. In fact, there is a five-year collaboration between the Association of Community College Trustees and the National Head Start Association, which aims to encourage more colleges to establish Head Start centers. This initiative is designed to support the nearly 4 million college students in the U.S. who are simultaneously managing the roles of parent and student.
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