New Employee Child Care Center Serves Teachers' Children

October 3, 2008

For the first time in Plano ISD history, several teachers have the opportunity to say “hello” to a new standard of child care as they wave “bye bye” to their infants and toddlers each morning at the brand new Plano ISD Employee Child Care Center.

Child Care Provider Tabassum "Tabby" Malek reads to infants at the Employee Child Care Center.

Teachers have the peace of mind knowing that their children are in the loving, capable hands of the staff at the center, which opened its doors this August to 67 children, ages six weeks to four years who are served by 16 child care providers, five aids, the center’s coordinator Stacie Kaeuper, office manager Cathie Bridwell and receptionist Lori Davis. The center is located at 3901 Pebblecreek Court (southeast corner of Spring Creek Pkwy. and Coit Road).

“I love seeing the children walk in each morning so happy to be here, and their parents very comfortable leaving them with us,” said Ms. Kaeuper, who began meeting with parents this spring, following the center’s lottery drawing to determine enrollment. The center currently has a waiting list of 60 children, with an anticipated year-end enrollment of 92 children.

In response to parent expectations, the center offers a “homey” environment with energetic and experienced child care providers. Its “commons area” includes climbing structures, a reading loft, art/puzzle station and small library.

The center implements the “High Reach” curriculum, a hands-on program which sparks children’s interests based upon their learning styles. The “Pebble Soup” curriculum, also implemented at the district’s three early childhood schools, provides a user-friendly early childhood curriculum for the day care center’s three- and four-year-old children whose daily routine includes music and movement, circle time, project work, centers, small group instruction and story time.

Outdoor play includes fun equipment, tricycles and "Bye Bye Buggies."

Arlene Carnes, director of the school district’s PASAR after-school program, led efforts to plan and open the Plano ISD Employee Child Care Center, which she said was launched to help retain and attract quality teachers in Plano ISD.

The center is licensed through the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. Its mission is to provide a fun, nurturing and safe learning environment committed to preparing lifeling learners. The center is open 189 days, only when teachers work. No care is offered on school or summer breaks.

To learn more and/or to join the center’s waiting list, teachers may go online to: Plano ISD Employee Child Care Center.