Lakeland Mirror

Issue date: 9/20/07 Section: News

The design o f the proposed Ambrose DeLand Child Care Center. Lakeland College recieved over $300,000 from The DeLand Foundation to fund it. Now Lakeland must fund the remaining two-thirds of the cost. No permanent plans are made to break ground.

Approximately one-third of the cost to build a new child care center will be covered by a grant from the DeLand Foundation. According to Lakeland College's President Stephen Gould the grant will range from $300,000 to $350,000.

With the help of the grant, Lakeland College is looking to build a 5,692 square foot building to accommodate up to 67 children. Pending approval and funds the new center will be located on the south side of campus, across Reineking Court from Hill House.

The Learning Tree Academy is at its capacity, with currently 34 children enrolled. The children's schedules vary greatly, since the Academy allows parents to have their children there based on their class schedules.

A total of 16 children are on the waiting list for spots to open in the infant to one year-old room.

Increasing the capacity for the day care center will not only allow more children to receive top-notch care, but also for Lakeland to increase its enrollment of non-traditional and traditional students with children.

According to Ann Gutoski, director of Learning Tree Academy, Gould asked her five years ago about the potential to build a new center. She said, "Build me a new center for 100 kids and I can fill it."

"I have this little wish list that I carry in my heart," Gould said. "This [day care center] was on my list, pretty high on my list."

Needless to say, Gutoski is "very excited" about the new center. During her 15 years as director she has seen many changes in the current centers, from paint to lighting. A new construction is just another step along the path.

"These children we are watching are the college's future," Gutoski said. "I do care a lot what happens for the day cares."

The exact plans for the building are pending fundraising for the remaining costs of building the center. However, Gould would like to break ground next summer.

"We have both individual donors and foundations and some corporations on our list to be contacted," Gould said.

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