Community News : Center for Civic Workers’ Children Opens

Because both of them work at Torrance City Hall, Judy Emerson and her husband, Alan, worried that their three children might be stranded miles away at day care near their home in Lomita if an earthquake struck.

So 1 1/2 years ago they moved to Torrance so the family would all be in the same city during the day.

Last month they brought their family even closer by enrolling the children in a new city-sponsored day-care program that gives priority to city employees. Although other large employers contract for day care, Torrance is the first South Bay city to sponsor a child-care facility.

Now 3 1/2-year-old twins Autumn and Shane spend their days only blocks from City Hall. And 6-year-old Jade goes to school just up the street.

The city spent $250,000 to turn part of a boarded-up elementary school into a day-care center for 82 children 6 weeks to 5 years old, said Leyta Fuentes, a city employee who served on the Torrance Child Care Committee.

On Jan. 31, City Kids, operated by Children’s Discovery Center, opened at 1520 Greenwood St., the former site of the Greenwood School. The center has 29 children, all but three with parents or guardians who work at City Hall.

The City Council approved the center on the condition that it support itself through fees after the start-up costs, Councilman Mark Wirth said. The school will rely on the city for basic upkeep, such as plumbing and lawn care.

During the first few months, the school does not expect to turn a profit, said Angela Dorrell, regional director for Children’s Discovery Center. The rest of the slots probably will be filled by September, she said.

The center charges $122 a week for infants; $102 for children 18 months to 36 months, and $82 for children 36 months to 5 years, which Emerson said is less expensive than what she used to pay for the twins in home care.

Because of a $150,000 grant from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, first priority for spaces in the school goes to people who car-pool. Second priority goes to employees of the city, followed by people who live or work in Torrance.

Besides peace of mind for employees, having children in a city-sponsored center may bring additional benefits. “I expect we will be giving them artwork to hang up in the Civic Center and be over at City Hall singing Christmas carols,” Dorrell said.