Auburn University at Montgomery has a childcare center for AUM staff and students. The Early Learning center is located behind the Education Building on campus. According to the AUM website, at the Early Learning Center, “we strive to develop self-directed, self-disciplined, self-responsible children who have a passion for life and a concern for others. The AUM Early Learning Center is nationally accredited through the National Association of the Education of Young Children. We strive to maintain a pupil-teacher ratio of 6:1, which affords all children individualized attention. All staff members are highly qualified to care for and provide an exemplary education for your child.”
There is a $50 non-refundable application fee to get started. The tuition per semester is $2300, which comes out to $575 per month. The tuition fees may be paid in a couple of installments, including: lump sum, monthly, and bi-weekly. Some additional fees will apply, like the nap roll, which is the mat that each child will receive to take their nap each day; this is a $26 one-time fee. For a $30 fee, your child can receive 10 lunch tickets that include a drink; however, lunch boxes are allowed. Snacks are provided every morning and afternoon for each child. An additional option is purchasing a hot meal from AUM café, which is a $3.30 fee per day.
When looking for childcare, parents are often concerned about the safety of their children. The AUM website gives parents considering child care piece of mind, by letting them know that “the facility is equipped with video cameras for consistent surveillance. Additionally, all doors leading into and out of the Early Learning Center are locked and must be opened by a staff member. Parents and visitors must be escorted into the center.”
The Early Learning Center has a set schedule for the children every day. The ELC hours of operations are from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. from Monday through Friday and the ELC operates according to AUM schedule pertaining to holidays and campus closures.The ELC is a great opportunity for the early childcare education students to get hands on experience working with children. To request information or even take a tour, call Lisa Highfield (334-244-3772) or via email lhighfie@aum.edu.
By Elisa Miller
