PAINTED POST, N.Y. (WENY) -- The Corning Children's Center is growing and they've opened a new location in Painted Post to address the high demand for childcare in the region. Families scrambled to find available options after a childcare center operated by Pathways closed in late 2023. The Corning Children's Center decided to step in, taking over the vacant space on Canada Road, completing renovations, and officially opening its doors on September 25th. 

The new facility marks the center's second location. Their original site is on Corning's North side which has been at capacity for years.

"{We} had a waitlist of over a hundred children that we couldn't get in in our current center we were full," says Executive Director of Corning Children's Center Paula Detar. "So when this became an opportunity, we were very excited to partner and move into the space and we've done a lot of renovations with our landlord who helped us and very excited for the wonderful space that we have to offer families, children and our staff."

The Painted Post location has 15 classrooms, providing childcare for infants to pre-kindergarten, ages six weeks to five years old. At full capacity, the center will be able to serve 168 children. Currently, 90 spots have been filled with more children expected to enroll as the school year progresses. 

"Depending on the age group, for the littlest ones they are being cared for in their classrooms, being,  fed, played with, working on their development at all in all areas, and as they get older we start introducing curriculum," says Shanna VanPatten, Assistant Director for Corning Children's Center Painted Post. "But it's a lot of free play, a lot of social, emotional development, a lot of working with their friends, playing, but also learning the important skills that they'll need for kindergarten."

To guide this process, the center uses a curriculum called Frog Street, which emphasizes learning through play. 

"Throughout the day a lot of our play is intentional," explains Ms. Angelina, Leader Teacher of the UPK Classroom. "We make sure that we have centers set up with intentional things that will also help them learn. So throughout the day we might have them playing at the table with Play-Doh, really making sure they're working on their fine motors. We can build letters with the Play-Doh. That way they're working on their fine motors. We can build letters with the play-doh. That way they're also getting that letter recognition in. But it's still through play and they kind of lead the learning."

With this expansion, the Corning Children's Center is now able to serve more families in both the Southern and Northern Tiers. The center's mission is to align with curiosity, connection, and community.

As the center continues to grow, it hopes to offer, even more children a safe place to explore, learn and build lasting connections.

Families can apply online and enroll for free, and if the student is admitted, the center offers a sliding scale for tuition based on income.  There is currently a waitlist, but they are looking g to open more classrooms towards the end of the year. 

The new center is located at 111 Canda Road, Painted Post, N.Y. 14870.