Day care center opening nears; open house Wednesday
By James Moate Endeavor News

Director Katie Coppock recently took Endeavor News on a tour of the new St. Mark Community Day Care Center, which will open soon. The connection with the church is in name only, she emphasized, with no religious education included in the curriculum. Coppock said she is determined to make education a part of each child's day care experience. An open house will be held on Wednesday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

St. Mark Community Day Care will open it doors as soon as the facility gets the green light from state inspectors, according to director Katie Coppock.

Coppock and her staff, as well as many area parents, are anxious for the go-ahead. However, she said this week that the opening could be delayed until November.

"This will be the only licensed, state-regulated center in Emporium," she said. "It will fill a need for many working parents."

Operating guidelines at the center were developed following surveys and discussions to pinpoint clients' needs.

The St. Mark center is unique in that it offers infant care at no additional charge. It's open to children age six weeks and up.

Coppock, the daughter of Alan and Cindy Ramsey, obtained an elementary education degree from Messiah College after graduating from Cameron County High School. She later worked as a teacher of threeyear olds.

She returned to Emporium determined to put her education and experience to work. Through the day care center, she hopes to help bring out each child's individuality and talents.

"We want to provide age-appropriate learning," Coppock said. "Since we have two employees with elementary education training, we will be wellequipped to teach the kids, as well as care for them."

Assisting at the center will be Rebecca Peters, Deb Fisher and Ashley Stuart.

"Because we have a staff of four people, there will be at least two on duty at any given time," she noted.

By opening early (5:45 a.m.) and closing late (6:15 p.m.), the center accommodates many parents' work schedules.

"A lot of people have spent a lot of time preparing for this," Coppock said. "The support has been great."

Major donations have been received from the George A. and Margaret Mee Foundation and the Emporium Foundation. Cameron County Area School District donated computers. Several other contributions have also been made by many others.

Though the center is located at St. Mark Catholic Church, the curriculum does not teach specific Roman Catholic practices.

Openings remain in all age groups. Costs are: $125 per week for full-time care (4-5 days/week, for 6-9 hrs. per day); $25 for a part-time day (2-3 days per week for 6-9 hrs./ day), $15 a day for partial care (1-5 days/week for 3-5 hrs./ day), and $4 per hour for hourly care (less than 3 hours/day or more than 9 hours/day.) Discounts are available when enrolling multiple children.

Income-eligible parents can qualify for financial aid from Northern Tier Community Action Corporation.

"That is something a lot of people should look into," Coppock said. "Many people assume they are ineligible because their income is too high, but that's not always the case."

St. Mark Day Care will be holding an open house on Wendnesday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Members of the community are invited to come and see what the center is all about.

Anyone seeking additional information about the center should call 486-0784.