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For Immediate Release

Grand Opening of Little Wings Childcare and Learning Center!

January 23, 1998
Contact: Eric Robeson (351-4225)
Director: Christina Deer, Little Wings Childcare and Learning Center (893-9022)

Little Wings Childcare and Learning Center, located on the former Chanute Air Force Base at 205 East Frost, is inviting the public to a Grand Opening ribbon-cutting celebration.  The celebration will take place from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 24.  Door prizes and refreshments will be part of the festivities.  Mayor Joseph Brown of Rantoul will be in attendance.

The Little Wings Childcare and Learning Center cares for infants (6 weeks to 18 months), toddlers (18 - 24 months), and children of ages 2, 3, 4 and 5.  Additionally there will be a summer program and a before and after school program for children aged 6 through 12. 

Christina Deer, director of the facility, has a degree in human development and family services from the University of Illinois and several years of experience in the childcare field.  Christina heads a professional staff that has taken courses and are certified not only in the educational aspect that the center will provide, but also in life-saving skills (CPR, etc.).  Karen Mecum, a former elementary school teacher and facility owner with 20 years of experience in a combination of teaching and childcare, has been hired as a consultant to oversee the facility as it opens and throughout its first year of operation. 

Little Wings offers childcare with an educational component.  Christina Deer is a former lead teacher and develops the curriculum.  The curriculum will have a different focus each week from math and science to creativity.  Kyle Robeson of Robeson's Inc., member of Robeson, Roessler and Associates, L.L.C., said that one of the reasons he feels that a childcare center with an educational element is important is due to studies that have indicated that a child's receptiveness to learning starts diminishing at a young age.  The studies have shown that if a child is not exposed to learning by an early age, some interest has already diminished.  "This is why most parents spend a lot of time reading to and teaching children, and that is why the education component of the center is so important" Robeson said.  "That is the reason we are excited about Christina, her focus is on the children."

Prices at Little Wings have been set to be competitive with home childcare with the certified teachers and staff.  "If a home childcare provider is sick, there is no back-up whereas, there will be back-up at the center" Robeson said.

Little Wings Childcare and Learning Center is approximately 10,200 square feet.  The brick building was specifically built for use as a childcare facility and is up to 1998 code with a new roof and new parking area in front.  The building has seven classrooms, a dining area and  indoor and outdoor recreation areas. Each classroom has state of the art equipment and two entrances/exits in case of fire.  The indoor recreation area will be utilized when the weather is bad and will allow the children to be involved in recreational activities year-round. Adjacent to the center are fenced-in playgrounds separated for each age group   The playground equipment and surfaces are up to 1998 code and are designed to be appropriate for the age groups playing on them, thus reducing risk of injury.

Little Wings is a secure environment with smoke and fire detection systems, an intercom system and video cameras each classroom.  The main desk is set so that comings and goings will be monitored.  The teachers and staff, as part of the certification process, must be fingerprinted and cleared through the FBI files by the DCFS.

Hours of operation of the Center are from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.  Though Kenneth Roessler of ROECO Enterprises, Inc., member of Robeson, Roessler and Associates, L.L.C. says the schedule may change based on demand.  "We have met with some area employers to get feedback on the hours the center should be open as well as taken suggestions from their employees that have children.  If there is a demand for us to be open at different times, we may broaden our hours to accommodate."

A variety of nutritious meals are served at the Center.  Once a set amount of children are enrolled, the meals will be prepared in the on-site kitchen.  Currently, the meals will be catered from the nearby Fanmarker restaurant.

For additional information, please contact Christina Deer at 893-9022.  Or, feel free to drop in sometime and she will be happy to give you a tour of the Little Wings Childcare and Learning Center.