by Jaylon Brunson

The issue that I would like to bring attention to is the need for childcare on college campuses. I have noticed that there are students who bring their child to class who are not yet of school age. I spoke with a young lady who brought her child to class due to not having childcare access and she stated that childcare is too expensive. She also stated that “there are a lot of daycares that do not have space for children due to a shortage of staff in daycares.” She expressed her gratitude to her understanding professors, but she understands that this is not the ideal situation. 

My thoughts are that colleges such as GC could have a childcare curriculum that includes learning how to care for children for those that aspire to own a daycare or aspire to work within the childcare field.  These courses will allow the students who are taking the courses to learn how to provide proper care to children. If we also had a daycare on campus, the students taking these childcare courses could also be the ones providing care for the children at the daycare. This will benefit both students in the childcare courses as well as students with children who are not school age.  I think having a daycare on campus will encourage students with children who are not of school age to seek out Greensboro College and continue to reach for their dreams. 

In addition, the students who are in the childcare classes will receive the best on-the-job training by working with actual children at the on-campus daycare and the students who have children will be able to attend class without the distraction of having to care for their child during class. A daycare on campus allows students to check on their children during their breaks and be confident that their children are safe and close by.  

I think having a daycare on campus will benefit many and is worth investing in. My hat goes off to those who have children that are not of school age yet still brings their children to class instead of leaving them home alone or with someone who is not safe. My hope is that at some point, daycares are on college campuses to provide support for those who need it.