Raising Bakersfield

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The ceremonial opening of a new preschool doesn’t usually draw dignitaries from local and state government, or Cal State Bakersfield cheerleaders, or a serenade by a jazz saxophonist.

But then, Bakersfield needs preschools.

Rather, it really, really, really needs preschools.

To be specific, Kern County has 24,600 licensed child care spaces but needs to create another 23,000 of them to meet anticipated demand over the next seven years, according to the Kern Local Investment in Child Care Constructing Connections Project, which was created in 1997 to help close the gap between child care supply and demand. Kern ranks 49th of California’s 58 counties for licensed child care supply, according to Kern LINCC, as the organization is better known.

So the grand opening of Kreative Kidz Preschool Academy in southwest Bakersfield Monday was greeted with much fanfare. Mayor Harvey Hall and a representative of Assemblymember Jean Fuller’s office spoke to more than 100 staff, parents and guests seated at tables adorned with primary-colored balloon bouquets. Owner Jessica Danel thanked everyone for their support, and gratefully acknowledged Kern LINCC for its assistance with development, financing and licensing.

It’s the third center for Danel, who already runs a small family day care out of her home and two years ago opened another one licensed for 45 at a local church.

But this one at 8800 Harris Road is by far the biggest, approved for up to 192 children, including an after-school program for youngsters up to 12 years old, and much coveted space for 12 infants and 18 toddlers. Despite the elaborate ribbon cutting, the center is still under construction and won’t open for business until June 1.

Even with an unpaved parking lot and an unfinished building, Danel has enrolled 105 children.

“That really tells you something, that we’re not even open yet and we’re already halfway there,” Danel said.

Carla Lopez, 26, doesn’t need anyone to tell her how bad things are. The mother of a 21-month-old daughter, Bianca, has been searching for a preschool for a while now, and hasn’t had much luck.

“Most of the places you go are full or have waiting lists, or else they won’t take children younger than 2 years old, and you have to be potty trained,” she said.

Lopez wasn’t ready to sign her daughter up yet, though.

“I wish it was further along so I could see how it will look when everything’s done,” she said.

Kevin Ferguson, 40, didn’t waste any time enrolling 7-year-old son Jonathan, part of a trio of boys jumping on oversized pillow chairs while their parents munched on soft drinks and cookies.

“I live near here, so this is great,” Ferguson said. “I was really impressed by all the computers for the older kids.”

Ferguson is glad community leaders are being proactive about Bakersfield’s child care problem, which he believes should be “one of our city’s main concerns.”

Mayor Hall hopes public-private partnerships nudging new startup preschools along eventually will inspire other entrepreneurs.

“I think people just need to see some success at places like this to see the value of opening their own facilities,” he said.

There are obstacles, however. People with business and finance expertise abound, and many others have knowledge of early childhood development, but very few people have both backgrounds, said Amy Ott, who helped Danel get her school off the ground before she was laid off from a job as a regional account manager for CIT Small Business Lending.

Kathe Sickles, who until recently was on the Kern LINCC board, also would like to see more government subsidies for parents.

“It’s expensive to put your child in a facility like this,” she said. “Incomes in Kern County tend to be on the lower end, so there are families with two working parents who can’t pay $400 or $500 or $600 a month, and they have to go to family day cares.”

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Finding child care

Community Connection for Child Care is Kern County’s child care resource and referral agency. Along with child development and family services, it provides referrals to licensed child cares.

The search can be narrowed to specific neighborhoods, for instance, within a mile of a given address, and includes both commercial centers and home-based day care providers. It costs parents or guardians nothing to use the service. The list of options is delivered via mail or e-mail.

For more information, call 661-861-5200

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Source: The Bakersfield Californian, Monday, Apr 28 2008