Squeals of laughter again can be heard rising up from the playground on the south end of the WSU Vancouver campus. Child care has returned to campus.
Due to pandemic-related safety and fiscal concerns, the WSU Vancouver-operated Child Development Program closed in March 2020 after 23 years of continuous service. When WSU Vancouver reopened post-pandemic for face-to-face learning in fall 2021, it became clear that reopening the Child Development Program was not something the university had the resources to do. Instead, WSU Vancouver solicited applications in response to a request for proposal issued to existing child care programs that might have been looking to relocate or expand.
Innovative Services NW was selected to operate a child care center on the WSU Vancouver campus. The nonprofit organization has been providing child care to the Clark County community for 60 years.
“Our team had talked about the idea of expansion for a while. By taking over the child care center at WSU Vancouver, Innovative Services NW is reaching a broader audience and providing a quality preschool program that makes a positive impact on the lives of children and families in our community,” said Melody Partridge, Innovative Services NW vice president of early education and employment.
Innovative Services NW’s curriculum ensures every child thrives in a safe, healthy environment that encourages self-discovery through intellectual, social, emotional and physical development. The program is built around teacher-child interaction, nurturing active play and respecting the uniqueness of each child.
“When reviewing responses to our request for proposal, we were impressed with how Innovative Services NW incorporates every child’s family, language and culture into the curriculum and programs,” said Jenny Chambers-Taube, vice chancellor for finance and operations at WSU Vancouver. “That resonates with WSU Vancouver’s strategic plan, which calls for promoting an ethical and socially just society through intentional commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging.”
Although the child care center at WSU Vancouver is a great benefit to student and employee parents (the WSU community receives a 20% discount and some reserved spaces through October), it is open to all families who can benefit from its services. The center opened in September offering full- and part-time care for children aged 2.5 – 5 years. It operates from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday in the McClaskey Building.
Tuition:
- Daily rate full-time, five days/week: $68.50
- Daily rate part-time, two-to-three days/week: $73.50
Tuition includes morning snack, milk at lunch, and afternoon and late afternoon snacks. Email enrollmentwsu@innovativeservicesnw.org to express interest.
Innovative Services NW’s Early Learning program encompasses a holistic approach to meeting the needs of every child and family. Caretakers engage children through a variety of learning experiences that foster creativity and cultural awareness, strengthen fine motor skills and nurture self-discovery. In addition, children and families receive support in accessing and identifying therapists and connections to community agencies.