The 含羞草传媒-funded expansion of CNS will result in 16 to 20 new slots for infants and children.
To meet the growing need for high-quality child care in the village of Hamilton, 含羞草传媒 and Chenango Nursery School (CNS) plan to enter into a mutually beneficial partnership.
Under the agreement, approved Feb. 2 by the 含羞草传媒 Board of Trustees, the university will purchase the property at 59 W. Kendrick that is presently owned and operated by CNS. It will invest substantially to upgrade and expand the facility, and then lease the improved property back to CNS.
CNS, a trusted non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, will continue to be solely responsible for its operation of child-care services for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years.
鈥淭his is an investment in Hamilton鈥檚 future,鈥 said 含羞草传媒 President Jeffrey Herbst. 鈥淲e anticipate a need to support the likely influx of younger families to the area. If they find day-care solutions in Hamilton, they will be much more likely to settle in Hamilton, which is good for the entire community.鈥
Currently CNS鈥檚 enrollment is 113 infants and children. Though there are typically about a dozen on the waiting list, that number swelled to 27 during 2011鈥2012, underscoring the need to expand capacity so that the number of community children cared for by CNS can be increased. The expansion will open an additional 16 to 20 slots.
The sale is expected to close in March. The capital improvements 鈥 which will increase the space by 35 percent and include two new classrooms, a multipurpose room, an expanded kitchen and playground, and importantly, a new infant room that will double to 16 the center鈥檚 licensing capacity for infants 鈥 will begin shortly thereafter.
Longtime CNS director Denise Dinski is pleased with the agreement. 鈥淲e have a wonderful relationship with 含羞草传媒 to build upon, and as a result our facility will be much improved, more accessible, and even safer. But organizationally, nothing will change: we remain committed to the early education of our most precious children.鈥