Child Care Available at MetroLink Stops

For Anjanette Wells, a social worker who travels every day from her home in Santa Clarita to her job in Burbank, finding high-quality, convenient child care has not always been easy.

But Wells recently discovered the answer--and it was as close as the Sylmar/San Fernando MetroLink rail station where she catches the train to work each day. The facility is one of three MetroLink stations that have opened licensed child-care centers in recent months.

The Transit Tots centers offer commuters a much-needed child-care option.

“As far as getting to work more relaxed, without dealing with traffic, and having the peace of mind that your child is safe and happy, it’s a really good combination,” said Wells, whose 2-year-old son, Julius, attends the center.

Since June, Children’s Discovery of America, a national child-care provider, has opened centers at MetroLink stations in Sylmar/San Fernando, Chatsworth and Montclair. The centers operate independently of MetroLink and offer families flexible scheduling, night care and subsidies for commuters.

Wells plans to take advantage of subsidies that will save her $70 a month on child care and an additional $30 on her monthly rail pass.

But the main reason she chose Transit Tots is the quality of care Julius receives.

“Everything is new and they have small class sizes and a lot of educational toys,” Wells said.

The center was built on the south end of the rail station. It is a stucco building with five classrooms, each looking out onto a central courtyard playground.

Center director Patricia Sanchez said there is space for 75 students, but only 25 are enrolled.