Grand Opening Today at Child-Care Facility

Two days after the state’s top educator launched a campaign to make affordable preschool available to an additional 1 million California children, a local nonprofit organization is celebrating its progress in that area.

The Los Angeles Child Care and Development Council will hold a grand opening ceremony this morning in San Fernando for Carrusel de Ninos, the group’s 14th child-care facility overall and its seventh in the Valley.

On Monday, decrying a shortage of affordable preschools, state Supt. of Public Instruction Delaine Eastin announced the formation of a panel to study ways of making subsidized care available to all of California’s 3- and 4-year-olds.

Nowhere is that need greater than in the northeast San Fernando Valley, said Teri Ismail, site director of Carrusel de Ninos.

“People here really need low-cost or free child care,” Ismail said. “If they are making minimum wage, how can they afford to pay $100 per week for child care?”

Underscoring that point is the fact that Carrusel, which opened in September, has already reached its capacity of 54 children. Twenty-four more children will be admitted when staffing increases in the coming months, officials said.

Carrusel, open to children ages 6 weeks to 5 years, offers infant, toddler and preschool services.

Like other council centers, Carrusel uses a combination of state and federal funds, United Way money and private contributions to subsidize its programs. Charges are on a sliding scale based on family income.

“There’s always been a desperate need for child care in the northeast Valley,” said Rep. Howard Berman (D-Mission Hills), whose office will participate in today’s grand opening celebration.

“Carrusel de Ninos will allow parents to look for much-needed jobs while their children are well-provided for,” Berman said.

For more information about Carrusel de Ninos, call the council’s eligibility office at (213) 343-1681.