Michelle Childers

The Child Development Center has given Michelle Childers and her three-year-old son a way to be close to one another during the school day.
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Michelle Childers, a mother of two, has been a student at Mt. Hood Community College since fall 2005.She placed her son, Harley, 3, on the waiting list for the Child Development Center in the fall, and he was admitted in January.Her other child, T.J., is 11.Before the CDC, Harley attended a home day care.

,It was mostly Thomas the train and her [the childcare provider] playing with her own son,, Childers said.Now that Harley attends the CDC, Childers says she feels better about where he is. ,He,s getting a good education and structure.It,s not television all day, and he,s right here,, she said. ,It,s peace of mind.,Harley spends three days a week in the CDC.Childers said he ,learns cool songs.He shows me his artwork.One day they baked bread., The children also get to play outside, enjoy naptime, brush their teeth and wash their hands.Childers said one teacher is in recovery from an accident, so the children have written her letters; when she writes back, they get mail.

Childers said Harley,s demeanor has improved a lot since he,s been attending the CDC. ,I noticed he uses his words more, there,s less screaming and he listens better,, she said.The biggest difference is in how Harley picks up after himself.She also noticed he has developed conflict resolution skills that carry over into situations where he deals with other children outside the CDC. ,At the park he had a conflict with another child and he said, ,Stop, instead of hauling off and swinging like he usually would,, she said.

Harley,s social skills have been ,fun to watch, for Childers.All the children Harley interacts with at the CDC are around his age. ,The teachers allow the children to work things out, but they give them the tools to do so,, Childers said.Harley,s interaction with other children has taught him about taking turns, using words to solve problems and how not to be a bully. Harley sometimes attends the CDC for 10 hours a day. ,Having him close by on campus feels so good,, Childers said.

Although childcare is a burden for Childers, it,s one she is willing to withstand. ,It would be worse anywhere else,, she said.Childers did not qualify for a grant this term, but still feels the rates at the CDC are very reasonable for the structured care that is provided.Finding home childcare that can be trusted is difficult, she said. ,You feel like they aren,t getting what they need.,

Childers is a history major and plans to finish at MHCC this summer.In the fall she plans to attend Portland State University.PSU also offers on-campus care and Childers has already added Harley,s name to the waiting list. For those parents who may be considering using the services of the CDC, Childers says ,not to have any hesitation.It,s a great place for the price.