Childcare Center on Track to Open this Summer

The Little Huskies Child Development Center is expected to open its doors this summer.

The university has retained a professional childcare provider, Gretchen Preston, to operate the center, said Becky Christianson (Human Resources), a member of the Michigan Tech Childcare Board. Preston operates nine Gretchen's House childcare centers in southern Michigan.

"The committee liked her approach to childcare and her curriculum, which is very hands on," Christianson said. "She is a strong proponent of outdoor play, science, math, literacy and the creative arts.

"Preston also has two centers in Ann Arbor, so she has experience working with university parents and understands the issues and needs of a university community."

In addition, Preston's centers are accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. The Childcare Board expects that the Little Huskies Center will soon earn a similar certification, which is more rigorous than state standards. For more information, visit https://www.gretchtenshouse.com .

The board has also selected a contractor for the center, J. Clark Construction, of Hancock, which has undertaken a number of building projects at Michigan Tech in the past.

The center will admit infants, two's, toddlers and preschoolers half time or full time. No "drop-off" care will be provided.

The monthly full-time fees for Michigan Tech children will be $710 for infants, toddlers and two's and $650 for preschoolers. The fees for half-time infants, toddlers and two's will be $373 and $341 for preschool.

Full-time enrollment in the infants, toddlers and two's classes will be capped at eight each. Full-time enrollment in the preschoolers class is limited to 20.

The Childcare Board expects to announce when the registration period will be by the end of February. Michigan Tech parents and guardians with children enrolled in the BHK childcare program as of December 2006 will have first priority.

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Michigan Technological University is a public research university founded in 1885 in Houghton, Michigan, and is home to more than 7,000 students from 55 countries around the world. Consistently ranked among the best universities in the country for return on investment, Michigan’s flagship technological university offers more than 120 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in science and technology, engineering, computing, forestry, business and economics, health professions, humanities, mathematics, social sciences, and the arts. The rural campus is situated just miles from Lake Superior in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, offering year-round opportunities for outdoor adventure.