LOCAL DAY CARE CENTERS TO GET EARLY CHILDHOOD GRANTS

Three local child care providers were among 115 providers in Missouri to receive state grants for early childhood development programs.

Christian School for the Young Years, a privately owned day-care center that is run not-for-profit, received a $93,613 grant; day-care operator Marilyn L. McFerren received $23,080 in grant money; and Linda Hodges, who runs a licensed in-home day care, received a grant of $3,000.

Statewide, $3.5 million in grants was awarded to child-care providers to expand day care and early education programs for infants and toddlers.

These grants are aimed at helping Missouri's youngest children as well as their parents who sometimes have difficulty obtaining day-care services, said Gov. Mel Carnahan in announcing the grant recipients.

Other Southeast Missouri child-care providers receiving grants were Kiddie Korner Daycare, $61,396, and Kids Kuntry Day Care, $69,309, both in Poplar Bluff.

Janet Goodin, owner of Christian School for the Young Years, 735 Clark St., said the center will use the grant to expand its programs for infants and toddlers and 2-year-olds, provide additional training for teachers and implement a new curriculum program at the center.

"There's a real need for child-care programs for infants and toddlers and 2-year-olds," Goodin said. "The grant will allow us to increase the number of children we can enroll."

Goodin said the center has already increased its infant/toddler enrollment by four and is working on increasing capacity for 2-year-olds from 12 to 20.

The grant will be used to buy supplies, classroom materials, teachers salaries for the expanded program, teacher training toward Missouri accreditation and implementing the state-approved Creative Curriculum.

Goodin said the center received the grant this month and will be eligible for additional money the next two years, though the amount won't be as much.

"The idea is to get a program started that can then stand on its own," she said.

The in-home day care run by Hodges will use its $3,000 grant to further develop its play centers and improve its equipment, said assistant Barb Davis.

The center is licensed for 10 children, most of which are ages 5 and younger, Davis said.

McFerren could not be reached for comment.

The Early Childhood Development, Education and Care Grants, which focus on improving the quality of early childhood development programs for Missouri children, are funded from revenue generated by state gaming fees and administered by the Missouri Department of Social Services.