Being a parent is often considered one of the most wonderful things in the world, but also one of the hardest. Having to care for another human being’s life provides all sorts of unique and difficult struggles. Many parents still attempt to finish college after having a child. This can be a massive struggle due to time constraints, child care options, money, etc. Many parents are forced to give up the idea of a college education because of these setbacks, but here at Spokane Falls Community College, the Early Learning Center is dedicated to making this journey as easy as possible for parents going through school.
The Early Learning Center is a daycare at SFCC that allows parents to drop their child off while they attend classes, do homework, etc. To make themselves as accessible as possible, the ELC is designed to take care of low income families who struggle to find child care elsewhere. Director Junaid Haq is proud of the team they’ve assembled, and strives to provide the best child care possible to SFCC students. Director Haq joined the ELC in September of 2022.
“My favorite part about working here is being here to support my staff,” Haq said, “And seeing the support we provide families and their children. I’m very proud of the staff we have here.”
Haq has strived to create a dedicated staff and a warm, welcoming environment for parents and their children. For an entry fee of just fifty dollars, the ELC is accessible for low income families just trying to get through school. The ELC accepts children from 6 weeks old to 5 years, and while there is a wait list for higher aged children, normally parents don’t have to wait very long.
Thalia Winchester is a parent whose kid attends the ELC while she attends classes at SCC. She’s had her child attending the ELC since September of 2022.
“I love it here because they set up goals with my child, both long term and short term,” Winchester said, “They then help push my child to achieve those goals.”
Thalia has been through her own share of struggles as a single parent, but says the experience has made her stronger and the ELC has made life much easier.
“They’re not only available for my child, but for me as well,” Thalia said. “His teachers let me talk to them about anything and they always have helpful advice. They just let me rant to them.”
Head teacher Gina Vincent confirms this to be true, as she says the teaching staff strive to create a trusted, and warm environment for parents and children alike. She started at the ELC fourteen years ago and has made it her goal to communicate with the parents about their child’s wellbeing, milestones reached, and even any struggles the parents might be having.
“We communicate every day,” Vincent said, “We communicate at pick up and drop off, and they’re more than welcome to come by and hang out with us too.”
If having a communicative staff wasn’t enough, the teachers love their jobs and being around children.
“I just love babies,” Vincent said, “My own son is a teenager now, so to be around little ones is just so much fun.”
Gina’s sentiment is shared by the majority of her staff. Every teacher strives to communicate with parents, and they just simply love what they do.
Kathryn Stehle is another parent whose child attends the ELC. She started at SFCC in winter quarter of 2022 and is taking twenty credits. Kathryn says the hardest part of this is missing her kid’s milestones. The communication from the teacher’s has not only made this easier for her, but has helped them earn her trust as well.
“I was very nervous about dropping my child off at daycare,” Stehle said, “You have to know he’s going to be safe, and I know that when I leave him here that he’s going to be well taken care of and happy. They’re great.”
With glowing recommendations from parents and teachers alike, it’s hard not to consider the ELC a safe haven for student parents. Open from 7-5 every day, they provide a safe, healthy environment for children and their parents. If you’re a student struggling to balance school and your child, the Early Learning Center is here for you.