[112] "3-Star" MTSU Day Care Celebrates 30th Anniversary

Oct. 4, 2011
Contact: Tom Tozer, 615-898-2919

“3-Star” MTSU day care celebrates 30th anniversary

The Child Care Lab at Middle Tennessee State University recently celebrated its 30th anniversary serving children ages 3-5 of parents who attend or work at the University.
Thirty-two children are enrolled in the “3-Star”program. Some attend every day, and others attend either two or three days a week. There is a modest weekly fee that includes a hot lunch and two snacks each day.
The Department of Health and Human Services sets forth the criteria and evaluates day-care centers in the state of Tennessee. The MTSU facility has earned 3-Star status—the highest designation—since its inception. It operates in the Division of Student Affairs.
“We were especially honored to have former MTSU President Sam Ingram and his wife, Lynette, attend the ceremony,” commented Nancy James, lab director. “It was during his tenure that the lab began and has continued with the two-fold mission that he requested 30 years ago—to provide quality care for preschoolers so their parents can attend class and/or work on campus and to provide a laboratory setting for various departments to use for research and observations.
“We are grateful for the women at MTSU such as Dr. Jan Hayes (ret., professor, educational leadership), Dr. Janet Camp (ret., dyslexia services) and Dr. June Anderson (chemistry professor, deceased) who brought the idea of child care to the forefront,” James said. “The lab was dedicated to Dr. Anderson in 1984.”
Lead teacher Zona Frazier has worked in the lab for 26 years, arriving in 1985. “Coming here every day and greeting the children with a smile is the joy for me,” Frazier said. “My living won’t be in vain if I’m here helping them. It makes me happy.”
“We give priority to the children,” noted Anita Nicholson, another teacher who has served in that role since 2001. “It gives parents peace of mine to put their child in a quality-care program where they can also be close, drop by and see them throughout the day. We strive to make this a good place for children.”
James thanked MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee and Vice President for Student Affairs and Vice Provost for Enrollment and Academic Services Dr. Debra Sells for their continued encouragement and support from the administration.
“It is rewarding to see these children grow to be healthy, happy and productive citizens—and best of all, future Blue Raiders,” James said.
For more information on the MTSU Child Care Lab, call 615-898-2970.

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Photo: Nancy James, center, director of the MTSU Child Care Lab, is flanked by her two sons who are alumni of the lab school; Preston, left, is now a sophomore at MTSU; Brandon, right, is a sophomore at Watertown High School.