LOCAL PRESCHOOL PROGRAM BEING SUSPENDED
Finding a well-liked preschool program is difficult for parents, especially when there are so few available in this area.

By: Emily Morris
eamorris@radford.edu

RADFORD-Children have been enjoying the creative and colorful learning style offered at the Early Development and Learning Program since it was first established at RU in nineteen twenty-eight.

“We provide a quality child care program,” said Donna Johnson director of the program,
“We try to meet the interest of the children.”

The Early Development and Learning Program offers an opportunity for children between the ages of two, three and four to interact with other children and allows Radford University students to work with the children and observe them as well.

However this may be the last year that the college students get to interact with the children due to the recent announcement of the closing of the center. The decision to suspend the program was a difficult one according to Dr. Paul Sale the dean of the Education and Human Development department at RU.

“The Human Development degree was recommended for discontinuance by the department, college and university curriculum approving bodies,” said Sale, “Thus, a primary academic purpose for the center as currently configured will diminish substantially.”

This decision has left many angry and frustrated parents. “I have received messages or letters form three or four parents expressing their disappointment in the decision to suspend the operations,” said Sale, “ I can empathize with the dilemma this has created, we announced the decision early so that parents would have an opportunity to find alternatives.”

“It’s really disappointing, we planned on using the program in the future,” said Yvette Fleenor, mother of two.

“I think this program is such an excellent asset to the community,” said Michelle VanLue, mother of two, “We need this type of program.”

The parents are hoping the University will reconsider the closing of the program. “I hate that it is closing, it served a lot of people in the community,” said Shirley Cullop, program user, “I am hoping it will reopen.”

The program will be suspended for the 2004-2005 academic school year. “Beginning in February of 2004 through next October, 2004, a committee will be meeting to prepare a plan for reopening a university lab school that would better serve our programs even more that the current program,” said Sale.

“I see conflict, it frustrates me because the children are going to suffer,” said Johnson.

The program is scheduled to close May 8. “I would like to see the center continue, I realize there may be changes that need to be made, we could easily extend our hours, we could easily alter our program slightly to incorporate more children,” said Johnson, “There are a lot of things that can be done to keep the center open.”

Several parents are planning to meet with Dr. Sale about the closing. They are hopefully that the program will continue in the fall.

If you would like to find out more information about the Early Development and Learning Program you may contact the Director Donna Johnson at 831-5476. Or email her at dlemon@radford.edu.

Click here to read addition information on the lack of childcare in the area.