University day care helps students, community

The responsibility of classes and jobs can be more than enough for most students, but some students at the University of South Dakota have the added responsibility of taking care of their children while pursuing a degree.

The university had taken measures to help the student parents ease some of the stress by operating a day care that works with students who have young children.

The day care and Head Start centers are operated in the Vucurevich building north of campus, the Center for Children and Families and Austin Elementary School.

The director of the program, Carmen Stewart, said the program is beneficial to children.

“In Head Start, the focus is on the children’s academic knowledge, but also provides health and nutrition services and family support,” she said.

Stewart also said although the centers are partnered with USD, they provide services for students, faculty and the Vermillion community.

Molly Pingrey, a student parent, said her life can be stressful as a mother and a college student.

“The most difficult thing is balancing between taking care of my (7-month-old) son and doing homework,” she said.

The day care is run as an Early Head Start program for infants to three year olds. There is also a Head Start Program for three to five year olds. The workers and volunteers help teach the children basic skills like potty-training and brushing their teeth properly.

Junior Paige Seim has worked at the center for three years for her work-study and internship credits. The early education major said she has had an interesting experience.

“It’s a great way for education majors to get experience since it’s a highly qualified Head Start Program,” Seim said.

Stewart said the program is also partially federally funded, meaning it is free to families who qualify.

Funding also comes from the student general activity fee which is included in students’ tuition. Other necessary funding comes from United Way funds and families who can pay for the service.

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