The AACC Child Development Center’s daytime program is not accepting any additional children this fall, and the director anticipates CDC will stay full during the spring.

More than 30 families are on the waitlist for the center, according to Director Janet Klenkel.

“It usually stays pretty full,” Office Manager LaVette Curtis said. “We stay pretty busy.”

Curtis said that thanks to the Child Care Access Means Parents in School program, which allows student-parents with federal Pell Grants to enroll their children for little or no cost, the waitlist has grown to where it is today. The Child Development Center holds a national accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children, which may add to its popularity, Curtis said.

“You’ll find in this area few centers that have the national accreditation,” Curtis said. “They may have the state, but we have the national.”

Curtis explained the center’s teachers and resources may also contribute to growing demand.

All lead teachers at the Child Development Center hold at least a bachelor’s degree, while assistant instructors must have three to five years of experience or an associate degree.

Curtis said she has “a lot of pride” in the center’s playground.

On the playground, children can participate in gardening and make music with various instruments.

Children at the center also go on field trips, make art and play when they are not in their preschool and pre-kindergarten science, math and language classes.

Students said the Child Development Center is beneficial for the children.

“I think that it’s learning-centered,” sixth-year transfer studies student Jessica Sosa, who has a child in CDC, said. “It’s not just the kids playing, but the kids are also learning special things … important things they need to develop correctly.”

Curtis said she enjoys seeing the children complete their preschool and pre-kindergarten programs at AACC, but wishes the center were bigger to offer care for more people.

Curtis also said she would like more funding to keep permanent employees.

“We have some really great assistant teachers … we would love to … keep on,” Curtis said.

CDC serves children 2 to 5 years old in its daytime program.

The evening childcare program, serving children 3 to 12 years old, still has open spots for enrollment.