JCPS to open infant/toddler classroom
In North Carolina today, the supply of child care falls short of demand with an average of over five families competing for every one available licensed child care slot statewide. Stock photo
Jackson County Schools will continue to increase its capacity for early childhood education with the opening of an infant/ toddler classroom at Scott Creek School this fall.
“There is no doubt that this is an immense need in our community,” said Superintendent Dana Ayers. “Even more so, this will be a recruitment and retention tool for JCPS as an employer.”
A grant from Dogwood Health Trust will allow the school system to establish a classroom for infants and toddlers as a way of providing high-quality, convenient childcare for JCPS employees.
“By offering this new space, we seek to support our staff in balancing their professional and personal lives while enhancing their overall job satisfaction,” the school system said in a press release.
The new classroom is tentatively scheduled to open in October with more information to come regarding an application process, deadlines and requirements for participating families.
“Just like many other communities across North Carolina, Jackson County is experiencing a child care crisis,” said JCPS Preschool Coordinator Cassie Rogers. “Child care should be viewed as a part of any successful community’s infrastructure. We are grateful that Dogwood Health Trust acknowledged this need in Jackson County, and we hope that this classroom will help JCPS employees feel supported within their roles in our organization.”
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In North Carolina today, the supply of child care falls short of demand with an average of over five families competing for every one available licensed child care slot statewide. Among parents with children under the age of six, 81% pay for child care, and families in the state spend an average of $633 per month, according to the Chamber report.
When Ayers was hired as superintendent of JCPS in 2021, she made it clear that expanding pre-K and early childhood literacy were two of her primary goals.
“Preschool is vastly important to the academic success of students,” Ayers said.
Since then, the school system has more than doubled its pre-K capacity with an additional class each at Smoky Mountain Elementary, Cullowhee Valley, Scotts Creek Elementary, Fairview Elementary and Blue Ridge schools, in part due to funding from Dogwood Health Trust and Blue Ridge School Foundation.
“I am delighted that JCPS is setting the pace for providing preschool opportunities,” Ayers said. “Dogwood Health Trust shares our desire to offer early learning to Jackson County families, and we are fortunate to have them partner with us through grant funding.”
