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BCTC opens day care

February 26, 2009|Fred Petke

If pre-school wasn't hard enough, some children now have the chance to start their education directly at college.

More often than not, their parents are students at Bluegrass Community and Technical College and attending classes upstairs.

The classes are far different in the Bluegrass Children's Academy on the lower floor, but plans are for education to begin there.

"We are going to go above and beyond what the state requires," BCA Director Rebecca Biddle said Wednesday following the ribbon-cutting ceremony. "They're going to grow physically, emotionally and cognitively. I believe this is a place where dreams really will come true."

"What better place for these children to start their education than on their college campus," said JoEllen Reed, the college's community specialist.

Having the academy on campus is unique as well.

"The first time I heard (about the academy), I thought â??How cool,'" said BCTC President Dr. Augusta Julian.

Biddle, a BCTC student herself, has dreamed of owning a day care center for a decade and worked with the college to establish the facility on campus.

"I know it will be top-notch and I'm glad to be part of it," Biddle said. "We have 18 students now. That happened in three weeks. The word is spreading."

Like the college campus itself, the community contributed toward starting the academy through donations and service alike. Local businesses donated equipment, residents gave money, and one prospective Eagle Scout built the playground as his service project.

"It's the cutest, most wonderful child care center," said Sheila Simpson, interim director of BCTC's Winchester campus.

The programs will be education-based, Biddle said.

"We just want to make sure all their needs are met," she said.

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