Save the RVCC Children's Campus!

I write to emphasize to the president and board of trustees that The Children's Campus is a unique and valuable resource for the RVCC community and the surrounding community in rural Somerset County. The cost of QUALITY child care continues to rise as centers face the increased costs of COVID-19 prevention regulations and the rising minimum wage. More and more families are priced out of quality in their child care. But, quality is the difference that helps lower income and at-risk children succeed in school. The Children's Campus is a beautiful, stimulating environment where children of RVCC students will experience nurturing and education that they will not have access to in other settings (e.g., family care, neighborhood sitters). Also, lack of reliable child care can be a significant impediment to young adults trying to further their own education at RVCC. The college's enrollment may well be affected and, as the petition notes, the majority of would-be students that will not be graduating or even attending RVCC will likely be women, especially women of color. I urge RVCC to re-consider the decision to close The Children's Campus. Keeping it open will provide valuable educational benefits to two generations of Somerset County residents.

Some families cannot afford traditional and quality day care. Please stay open, especially in these trying times!

As an adjunct instructor, the Childcare Campus has provided peace of mind and excellent developmentally appropriate care. In addition, the OTA program has worked with the Childcare Campus to provide learning opportunities for our students. Campus won't be the same without the support and peace of mind offered to students and faculty alike from the Children's Campus staff and teachers. The closing of the Children's Campus is in direct conflict with the values and mission of RVCC.

Please don’t close.

The little I know of the Children's Campus has proved it to be a most valuable space for children. I know a couple of students and know of teachers through the Monarch Teachers Network. The Campus has produced wonderful opportunities for children. Its closing would be such a loss.

We can work together to find a way to keep it open. The center makes the college stronger and it makes the community better.

It would be a shame to see this center close. It’s been such a great help to my life and I’m sure the life of many that are involved with RVCC. As a former student I was able to watch my daughter thrive and saw the great care the faculty had for the children. This one part has been why I refer RVCC to many.

It is disheartening to hear about the closure of the RVCC Children’s Campus. My 3 year old daughter has been an attendant of this school from the time she was four months. Her growth and development has been an attest to the professionalism and expertise of the Children’s Campus staff. As one of MANY working student parents, who’s children attend The Children’s Campus, it is reprehensible that President Michael McDonough would close down such a valuable RESOURCE during a global pandemic. Many parents have built our entire livelihood around this program. It is sad that a COMMUNITY college would in fact deny a large demographic of its students and staff the immeasurable resource of trustworthy and professional childcare which supports RVCC’s growing staff and student parents. I hope that President Michael McDonough and staff has the courage to find a way to keep the The Children’s Campus open and support those in need of childcare when it matters the most. Kory Johnson.

I am devastated by the news that RVCC Child Care Center is closing. My son’s first school experience and one of the most meaningful and beautiful. We will be always grateful To the group of professionals, caring and knowledgeable staff and we are very sad and concerned about the situation. RVCC Child Care Center needs to remain open.

The Children’s Campus is a unique community resource and was a godsend to my family went my children were young. I hope the board seriously considers keeping this important institution at RVCC.

The child care center is the shining example of schools in Somerset County. The training students receive is all best practices and teaches them to be better teachers in the community. Students can rest easy in their classes, knowing their children are safe and learning from the best.

The Children’s Campus is a hidden gem that has fostered the growth and development of my four young children. Its dedicated, experienced staff exude a commitment to nurturing young learners that, quite frankly, is a rarity within many childcare centers. I urge you to exhaust all possible resources to help keep their doors open.

I am so deeply saddened to hear the children’s campus may be closing. As an alumni of RVCC I can testify that without The Children’s Campus I would not have been able to complete my nursing degree. Not only was there no way I could have been able to afford a traditional daycare while going to school full time, but the comfort of knowing my child was close by eased my mind so I could concentrate on my studies. By closing the Children's Campus you will be taking away the opportunity for future mother's like me to get a quality education and change their family's socioeconomic status.

The Children's Campus offers amazing child care for staff and students. Closing the Children's Campus is a disservice to the College and Community!

The Children’s Campus has been a wonderful beginning to our boys’ future!!

The Children’s Campus has been a backbone to my family, and it is essential to my career. Having high-quality childcare not only supported my return to work, it has allowed me — an immigrant and a woman of color — to achieve incredible success in a male-dominated, highly competitive field. It is time to give The Children’s Campus caregivers credit for the unrecognized value they bring to the table, i.e., supporting maternal employment which positively impacts children’s behavior, academic achievements, and future incomes.

I was disheartened to find out you'd be closing since I was hoping to send my child there next September once the pandemic is hopefully behind us.

My son attends this school. The education he is receiving is top notch. My elder son also attended and I know his academic and social-emotional success in elementary school are due to the love of learning and exploration that was established at The Children’s campus. There is no substitute for the work the educators are doing. Keep this school open!

I can't believe the college would do this resulting in a negative impact to students, faculty and staff. I wonder how much money will be lost when students have to reduce the number of credits they are taking.

RVCC's Children Campus has been caring for our son, Anderson, for the last four years. My wife and I have always appreciated the caring, professional staff at the center! It'd be a shame to see this resource closed to the RVCC community.