UTICA, N.Y. – The United Way of the Mohawk Valley has opened a new child care center in Utica through the Utica Empire State Poverty Reduction Initiative Project.
The center, called Academics First, is located on the first floor of the DeSales Center on Genesee Street. The school program provides care for kids ages 6 weeks to 12 years old.
Academics First officially opened on July 6, and operates Monday through Friday, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
United Way CEO Erin Gutierrez Matt says the project has been in the works for more than two years, and they still plan to extend hours to meet community needs.
“It's the first extended day child care center of its kind in the region, so right now, it's open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. during the week, and they will slowly ramp up to an additional evening hour shift and weekend coverage. Which I think is really unique about it, so it's meeting people where they are in terms of when they need child care,” she said.
Academics First was created using more than $2.2 million in grand funding from New York State and the City of Utica.
The school will employ 30 staff members, including teachers, administrators, family advocates, a nutritionist, kitchen staff and maintenance workers.
For more information, or to register, visit: academicsfirstutica.org.
This morning we were FINALLY able to share some exciting news we've been keeping a secret for quite some time now! Academics First, Utica's FIRST Extended Day Childcare Center is OFFICIALLY OPEN!
Spaces are filling so don’t wait to register for a tour! https://t.co/TwI8rNV99s. pic.twitter.com/Ub8QZC3uXJ
— United Way Mohawk Valley (@UnitedWayMV) July 15, 2020
