By Fay Abrahamsson ,Courier Senior Staff Writer:
As it moves closer to an anticipated opening day in January 2010, the Guilford Center for Children, in the middle of renovating two antique barns at Woodruff Farm for its new daycare center, has begun a capital campaign.
The daycare center, currently located next to the Guilford Free Library, received permission from the Board of Selectmen for a 50-year lease at its new location at Woodruff Farm. The two antique buildings on the site are presently being renovated.
The non-profit center held a capital campaign fundraiser June 13 at the Hyland House, according to board president Dawn Ross. The purpose of the campaign is to raise money for things such as the center’s kitchen and playground. At press time, no final tally of donations was available.
Funding for the new daycare center will come from $2.1 million in tax exempt financing through the Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority. The money is part loan and part grant. The center is also funded by the state’s Department of Social Services and, when available, money from the state’s Care for Kids program.
The center, which currently provides care and education for 28 children, will be able to accommodate 60 children at its new location–good news for the more than 100 children on their waiting list. The center is one of few daycare providers along the shoreline that institutes a sliding fee scale, meaning that fees paid to the center are based on the parents’ income. The percentage of children on the sliding fee scale program is determined by the state.
The renovated barns, designed by Gray Organschi Architects and built by Bismark Construction Company, will house an interior open play area upstairs, an art room, office, conference room, kitchen, and four classrooms downstairs, each having its own access to outdoor space.
Anyone wishing to contribute a tax-deductible donation for the daycare center’s capital campaign can send a check payable to: Guilford Center for Children, Inc. and mail it to attention Dawn Ross, Board President, 279 Boston Street, Guilford, CT 06437.