by Ashleigh Sanchez
Daily Lobo
For student parents, there's a place where they can leave their children while they attend class.
"UNM students don't have many options when it comes to child care," said Elena Aguirre, director of Children's Campus. "This is really about it."
The North Campus center has a five-star rating from the New Mexico state licensing agency, she said.
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Most programs are only open to children of students, staff and faculty, she said.
Prices for child care depend on many factors, including the child's age and whether the parent is a student or faculty member.
Infant care costs students $586 per month for all-day care.
Before- and after-school care costs students $227 per month.
Aguirre said the center takes care of about 250 children.
The center has six programs for children ranging from infants to school-age children.
"Our infant program is really unique," she said. "It is very expensive to offer infant care, so many places just don't offer it."
There are about 550 children on all the programs' waiting lists, and there is a two-year wait for the infant program, Aguirre said.
Student Desbah Benally said her children were on the waiting list for two years before a space opened for them.
"I wanted to wait," she said. "I had heard from people that this was the best place, and I wanted them somewhere I wouldn't have to worry
about them."
Benalli said she heard bad things about day cares and knew her kids would be safe at Children's Campus.
"The center is great," she said. "It really made school possible for me, and it's been wonderful here."
Student Judith Balazs added her 2-year-old daughter to the waiting list about two years ago.
Balazs said she researched other child-care centers, but UNM's is the best.
"We're thrilled," she said. "Anna loves it. It was completely worth the wait."
The center also has a drop-off program for students to leave their children during class, Aguirre said.
"We will provide care for half an hour before, during, and a half hour after a scheduled class," Aguirre said.
Time slots are filled every semester on a first-come, first-served basis, she said.
The cost for the drop-off program is based on income, Aguirre said. It could be free or up to $8.
"I'd say a majority of our students pay closer to zero," she said.
Stepping onto Children's Campus makes it obvious how the center got its name, Aguirre said.
"We had a wonderful architect who designed it much like a college campus," she said.
The center has three buildings, outdoor space and a central courtyard.
"We have a very large outdoor area, and that makes us unique," she said. "We also keep farm animals."
The center is all about learning, but the children aren't the only ones benefiting from it, Aguirre said.
"Any department on campus can schedule time with the kids for legitimate reasons," she said. "We have nursing classes doing assessments, art therapy students and others."
Children's Campus is open 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and follows the UNM calendar.
For more information, call the Children's Campus at 277-3365 or visit
Unm.edu/~weecare.
