Finding space for more kids
Molly Shore
Working parents scrambling to find dependable day care for their
children locally will soon have another option when a new, privately
operated child-care center opens its doors in February.
Knowledge Learning Corp., in partnership with the nonprofit
Burbank Housing Corp., will operate Knowledge Beginnings Child
Development Center at 2300 N. Ontario St. The center will have the
capacity to care for 92 children ranging in age from newborn to 5.
Many dual-income parents in the workforce today have created a
tremendous demand for more child-care centers, said Ellen Corrigan,
Knowledge Learning Corp.’s corporate services manager.
“There is always a need for high-quality early childhood education
to promote future success in school,” Corrigan said.
A 1999 child-care needs assessment survey showed that 2,434
Burbank infants and toddlers needed day care compared to 173
available spaces. The parents of 3,710 Burbank preschoolers vied for
1,818 openings at that time, the county study found.
Fees for full-time care at the new center will range from $165 per
week for pre-school children to $220 a week for infants and
toddlers, Corrigan said.
Although her organization will oversee the day-to-day operation of
the day care center, the Burbank Housing Corp. is the facility’s
owner, said Judith Arandes, the Knowledge Learning Corp.’s executive
director.
Child care is a component of other housing projects run by the
corporation, Arandes said.
“However, this is the first time we’ve ever gone into full-scale
day care,” she said.
Eric Hansen, the city’s interim director of Park, Recreation and
Community Services, said that there are still openings, with first
priority given to families living in housing projects administered by
the Burbank Housing Corp.
Residents of Burbank Redevelopment Agency projects or
city-sponsored affordable housing projects will have second choice,
followed by residents and those whose principal work place is in
Burbank.
“It’s an exciting project,” Hansen said. “It’s a very inviting
facility that’s being built over there. We’re real excited about
the opportunities.”
For enrollment information, call 1-877-CHILDHOOD.