Millions of college students have to plan their schedules for not only themselves, but their children as well.
According to a 2014 study by the Institute for Women Policy Research, more than 2 million college students who raise dependent children attend community colleges.
To meet student demand, Salt Lake Community College provides child care facilities at two campuses: The Eccles Early Childhood Development Lab School and The Tim and Brenda Huval Child Care Center.
Eccles Early Childhood Development Lab
The Eccles Lab School, located at Taylorsville Redwood Campus, cares for children ages two to five. The school serves the community and gives priority to students.
“Every fall we have quite a few openings but they fill up fast,” says lab manager Sharlie Barber.
Tim and Brenda Huval Child Care Center
The Huval Center, located at South City Campus, is run independently of the Eccles Lab. The center offers programs for different age groups, including services for children as young as six weeks old.
SLCC students enrolled in early childhood education classes are often on site to care for and teach children at the centers.
Help for low-income families
Although child care fees are billed on a sliding scale that is determined by income, many parents struggle to afford the cost.
SLCC also offers monetary assistance to Pell grant-eligible students to help pay for child care. Students can apply for a child care voucher for the spring and fall semesters.
The value of a voucher is determined by the amount of credit hours a student is enrolled in each semester. A student can receive up to $700 and can be used outside of SLCC at other licensed child care facilities.
Students are encouraged to contact the appropriate child care center for enrollment availability.
