CCBC Child Care Centers Have Reason to Cheer

The Child Care Centers at CCBC Catonsville and CCBC Dundalk have reason to celebrate. The CCBC Catonsville Center has gained accreditation from the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) and the CCBC Dundalk Children's Center staff is beaming over its recent renovations.

The CCBC Catonsville Center's accreditation from MSDE lasts until 2005. It's an accomplishment in which all the staff can take pride and share in the credit.

In remarks made by State Superintendent Nancy S. Grasmick regarding the Center's accreditation, she said, "We applaud the efforts of your center-based child care teachers and are proud of the fact that your program now joins the cadre of programs that meet the high quality standards for early childhood program."

The CCBC Catonsville Child Care Center received commendations in the following areas: longevity of staff, strong staff commitment toward personal educational goals, staff commitment to providing a great learning environment, observations of appropriate, helpful and warm teacher-child interactions, and wonderful community collaborations. Additionally, the Child Care Center received a grant for $21,190 from MSDE under the Judith P. Hoyer Early Care and Education Enhancement Grant for Private Providers of Early Care and Education Services.

The CCBC Dundalk Children's Center also has reasons to rejoice. During a June open house, it proudly showed off its extensive renovations. The renovation project, which took approximately 10 months and $438,500 to complete, included improvements to existing classrooms used by the Children's Center, the addition of adult restrooms separate from the child care area, new staff restrooms and accommodations outside of the child care area, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) upgrades, insulated doors and windows, new heating and cooling equipment for CCBC classrooms located in the building, new fencing for the play yard, replacement of the exterior façade and the creation of a new main entrance. The project was completed on time and on budget.