Press release June 30, 2010

EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER BEGINS 25TH YEAR WITH EXPANDED OFFERINGS

The Oxford Early Childhood Center, the oldest privately owned, state-licensed preschool in the Oxford area, is celebrating its 25th anniversary in the 2010-2011 school year with a new addition to their program offerings. According to Dr. Rebecca Howard, the owner and executive director of the school, the new “preschool only” option is designed to address the growing number of families who wish for their child to have a comprehensive early education experience, but either don’t need extended care or do not have room in their budget for a full day or full time program. “We have always offered a comprehensive, high-quality preschool and daycare program with flexible hours, and have been consistently committed to adapting our program to best meet the needs of the families we serve. This new option is one way we are responding to the current economic situation that many families are experiencing.”

The new “preschool only” option offers a Monday-Wednesday-Friday class for 4 and 5 year olds that will meet from 9:00-11:30 for 15 weeks, beginning August 30 and running through December 17 (with no class Thanksgiving week). The cost for this class is $525 for the entire 15 week session. There is also a class for 3 year olds that will meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00-11:30 during the same 15 weeks, at a cost of $375.

Dr. Howard explains that they are still offering full and part time care, on a half day or full day basis, for children between the ages of 18 months to 5 years, including before and after school care for children up to the age of 10 years, between the hours of 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. “In addition to offering the new, lower cost, preschool only option, we have also chosen to keep our current rates in place for another year rather than increasing tuition, as we recognize the difficulties many families have been facing.”