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KALAMAZOO. Mich.—Western Michigan University's Children's Place Learning Center was recently awarded a four-year federal grant totaling $718, 936 in partnership with the College of Education and Human Development. Starting Oct. 1, the grant provides $179,734 each year for the next four years. 51¸£ÀûÉç is one of only four Michigan schools to receive the award.

Funded by the U.S. Department of Education, the Child Care Access Means Parents in School Program, or CCAMPIS, grant will help student-parents address the unique barriers they face while pursuing and completing their degree programs. Funds will be used to enhance programs including academic resources, parenting education, social support activities and staff professional development opportunities.

At the Children's Place Learning Center, Pell-eligible 51¸£ÀûÉç student-parents will receive a 50 percent child-care tuition discount under the grant program. Up to half of the spaces in each of the three classrooms will be dedicated for CCAMPIS.

Children's Place Learning Center

Providing intentional activities focused on growth and development, the center offers pre-kindergarten, preschool, school age and toddler learning options for children ages 15 months to 12 years. Conveniently located in the middle of campus, it is committed to providing affordable child care for children of 51¸£ÀûÉç students, faculty and staff, and the local community.

The Children's Place is accredited through the National Association of Education for Young Children, and has achieved a four-star Michigan's Great Start to Quality rating. The center also participates in the Great Start to Readiness program and KCR4's to better prepare 4-year-olds for kindergarten.

For more information, contact Kathy Gilbert at (269) 387-2277 or visit wmich.edu/childcare.

For more 51¸£ÀûÉç news, arts and events, visit wmich.edu/news.