Graphic: UHCL Childcare – The letters U, H, C, L in white, each inside of a different colored box: U in a blue box, H in a green box, C in a yellow box, L in a red box, followed by the word “childcare” in black and stick figure parents and children in a horizontal green oval. Graphic created by The Signal reporter Jessica Wade.

EDITORIAL: Childcare center may finally become a reality on campus

By Editorial Board Last updated Mar 2, 2017 382 0

Student parents are in need of an on-campus childcare facility to provide care for their child/children while they study and attend classes. Even though the issue has been addressed many times throughout the history of the university, so far UHCL has not been able to meet this need.

Other colleges in the area, such as San Jacinto College North and Central campuses, the University of Houston and Rice University, offer childcare centers on their campuses. Each of these centers are accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). They are open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. and offer care for children 6-weeks to 5-years-old.

Many obstacles have stalled the acquisition of an on-campus childcare facility in the past including: space, cost, labor, liability issues and determining the type of childcare needed.

Now that UHCL is a four-year university, plans are in place to add three new buildings. There will be two new buildings at UHCL and one new building at the UHCL–Pearland campus. With the addition of these new buildings, there is the possibility that there will be space for a childcare facility if it is seen as a priority among students, staff and faculty.

The most recent survey to determine if there is an interest in having a childcare center on campus was distributed by the University Life Committee (ULC) two years ago. It was determined that there is indeed an interest, but work must be done to find a workable model.

Currently, ULC and the Student Parent Association are working to help gather more information about other colleges’ childcare program models, determining the type of childcare needed (i.e. hours, ages, accreditation, etc.) and meeting with faculty to determine if a childcare center could be incorporated into educational programs.

Cost is another obstacle that has affected the attainment of a childcare center on campus in the past. Many students are against incurring additional fees that may come with the building of a childcare center. These students feel they are already paying fees for services they do not fully utilize as part of their student service fees, student center fees and international student exchange fees.

It is possible that through user fees, grants and other subsidies, a childcare center could become a reality. UHCL has seen an increase in enrollment since becoming a four-year university with more students taking classes during the day than in the past. With this becoming the norm, now would be a good time to reassess the topic of childcare on campus.

Juggling classes and homework with family and work is a struggle for student parents. Having a childcare center on campus can relieve much of this stress and benefit student parents and their families.

First, it would alleviate the stress parents face trying to find reliable childcare to ensure that their children are left in a safe environment. An hourly childcare center would provide a backup plan when scheduled childcare falls through. This will ensure students can attend classes every day.

Some student parents have had to resort to bringing their child to class with them when they were unable to find a caretaker.

On Feb. 26, KPRC Channel 2 News aired a story featuring UHCL’s Political Science Professor William Hoston, who allowed a student parent to bring her granddaughter to his class. Hoston was quoted as saying, “I’ve taught at a number of non-traditional schools, and sometimes really it’s par for the course that if the baby doesn’t come, the parent doesn’t come, and the parent doesn’t graduate.”

If an on-campus childcare center is added at UHCL, student parents will not be the only population that could benefit. For example, students studying early childhood education could gain knowledge from working with children at an on-campus childcare facility similar to San Jacinto Colleges’ Laboratory School, where its students are provided with hands-on learning experiences. Other UHCL students could benefit from the addition of more jobs on campus. Staff and faculty who are parents could also benefit from the added convenience of having childcare on campus.

With plans in place to expand the UHCL campus, now is the time to let the administration know how we feel. Students, faculty and staff can join their respective governments (i.e. Student Government Association for students, University Life Committee for faculty and staff) to continue to voice their opinion until childcare is seen as a top priority at UHCL.