WVU Parkersburg
Early Learning Center

About the Early Learning Center 

 

West Virginia University at Parkersburg's Early Learning Center (formerly the
Children's Room) is a fully-licensed child care center.

The Early Learning Center is designed to meet the
needs of WVU at Parkersburg student-parents while they attend classes on campus on a regular basis. This service is also available to WVU at Parkersburg employees and the community on a space available basis. The Center is under the direction of a full-time, fully-certified professional director and is staffed by trained personnel.

The Center began over 30 years ago as a place to provide temporary care for children of staff and faculty.  It was moved from the second floor of the main campus building to the current location when the addition was built.  Since then the Center has expanded programming and the mission now includes caring for children of students, staff, faculty, and the community.  The Center also serves as a practicum placement site for Early Childhood Development Associate Degree students and an observation site for Education and Health Science students. 

What Ages Are Accepted? 

The Center is licensed for ages 2-8 years. Children two years of age through kindergarten are accepted any time. Elementary-age children are accepted after school hours, in the evenings, in the summer and on days the public schools are not in session.  The Center reserves the right not to accept a child who is ill.

What Activities Are Featured? 

Children will engage in activities which:

• introduce positive social interaction concepts;
• enable them to develop positive self-concepts;
• encourage self-reliance;
• foster creativity;
• develop language and communication skills;
• foster cooperation and self-control;
• develop conceptual development;
• enhance conceptual development;
• allow them to grow mentally, physically, emotionally and socially;

What Are The Costs? 

Cost of the services: $3.00 for one child per hour; $1.50 for each additional child (same family) per hours. Breakfast, lunch, and snack are included.  Child care fees are due bimonthly, after the 15th and after the end of the month.

You may pay by check or cash. Please make sure you receive a receipt when you pay.  (Rates are subject to change.)   

Note: new rates will go into effect with the start of the Fall 2009 Semester.

What Are The Hours? 

The Center is open both day and evening, during the fall and spring semester, while regular college classes are in session. Following the WVU at Parkersburg calendar, fall and spring semesters' hours are:

Monday-Thursday, 7:30 a.m. -10:00 p.m. 

During summer semester, child care hours are:

Monday - Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (The schedule can vary due to special circumstances.)

The College reserves the right to reduce operating hours because of insufficient enrollment.

How Do I Enroll My Child?

• Registration is accepted on a first-come basis for up to 24 children per hour. Registration for spring and summer semesters in the
Early Learning Center begins with the college pre-registration period. Fall registration begins one week before fall classes begin. Because of the volume of activity on the first day of registration, the Early Learning Center does not provide care on that date.
• Your tuition receipt is required to secure a place in the Early Learning Center.
• Space for drop-ins is usually available. However, please call 424-8311 to confirm availability.
• Parents are required to sign-in and sign-out each day their child is in attendance. Parents are also required to read and follow "The Parents Guidelines."
• Parents using the service are required to fill out schedules and emergency forms.
• At the time of registration, parents are required  to present a current copy of the child's immunization records. Children ages 2 & up are required to have the HIB vaccine, and Chicken Pox vaccine as scheduled by doctor.
• At the time of registration, or within three weeks of attendance, parents are required to present a physical examination record signed by a physician.
• The Early Learning Center accepts payment from the Department of Human Services for child-care. Eligible parents are responsible for contacting Choices, or the appropriate Resource and Referral Agency to complete the necessary paperwork, preferably before registration.
• During regular registration days, parents and children may visit the center and talk with the Director.

Forms

• Children's Information Form
• Children's Medical Form
• Developmental Information Form
• Schedule Agreement Form

For additional information, contact:

The Early Learning Center
West Virginia University at Parkersburg
300 Campus Drive
Parkersburg, WV 26104-8647
(304) 424-8311

Contact