Parents Press for Day Care

Concerned parents, faculty members and child care workers packed the Harvard Law School (HLS) Child Care center in a show of support for the facility Harvard that plans to close in June of 1998.

At the meeting, which took place in one of the center's playrooms, those concerned with the fate of the center mingled among the toys scattered across the floor while children played underfoot.

"We're trying to show that what the Law School [center] is doing is really good," said Elizabeth Gibb, president of the board of directors of the center. "We are pleading with them to reverse the decision."

The center is a private, non-profit corporation which is not affiliated with Harvard, but which receives free space and utilities. Eighty-five percent of the center's clients are from the University, and Harvard faculty, staff and students are given preference for the facility.

"We understand that space is a priority at the University, but we don't have the resources to rent a space on our own," Gibb said.

Sandra S. Coleman, administrative dean of HLS, said earlier this month that the three-story colonial located at 23 Everett Street will be used for visiting faculty, research programs and student organizations. She added that there are more than 20 student groups seeking space, including six or seven that have been waiting for a number of years.

Polly Price, associate vice president for human resources, said yesterday that various options are being considered for the future, including providing funding for parents who want to seek outside child care.

But supporters of the center said yesterday that its dissolution would be detrimental to the future of Harvard child care.

"Child care is really hard to find in Cambridge," said Jim Morin, the center's director. "We have a huge waiting list for children under three."

There are currently six day care centers that are housed in space owned by the University. These centers provide slots for 330 children, including 44 at the HLS center.

Cindy Santana, a representative of the Child Care Resource Center, a Cambridge-based group which aids various child care centers, said that there are only five spots available at the moment in the roughly 25 centers near Harvard.

"It would be very difficult for parents to find alternative child care," Santana said.

Judy Walker, co-manager of the Harvard Office of Work and Family, said she receives nearly 100 calls a month from Harvard affiliates seeking child care.

Officials at the center stressed that since its gives preference to Harvard employees and students, they are usually able to find care.

"Harvard faculty get priority at our center. That makes a difference," Morin said.

Professor of Law Anne-Marie Slaughter said that the center's move or closing might be viewed as an opportunity if a new space could be found to house infants. The current program is open to children ranging in age from 15 months to five years.

Morin said he would be open to expanding to include infant care, but that after meeting with administrators last week he was not hopeful.

"As far as we know, there isn't any other space," Morin said.

Members of the center also said that because Harvard defers some of its costs, it is able to provide high-quality care for reasonable prices.

"The reality is that what we don't pay in rent or utilities goes right into services," Morin said.

Walker said the prices are in line with the rates charged at other top day care centers.

The center is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, a validation held by fewer than half of the centers in the area, according to Santana.

Concerned parents said the ability to find affordable child care is of paramount importance.

Hila Harpak, the wife of an Israeli law student, said that amidst the chaos that comes with trying to resettle in a foreign country, she was happy that she could arrange her child care before coming to the United States.

Harpak said the center was a perfect match for her daughter.

"On Saturdays, she asks to go the center," Harpak said. "There are a lot of things going on at the center I can't offer her at home.... It is also a social connection for us."

Other attendees at the gathering today said the University's decision to evict the center is detrimental to Harvard's attempt to attract top women faculty.

"Since the faculty committee requested additional day care, it is essential that this facility remain open," said Peggy Schmertzler, chair of the Committee for the Equality of Women at Harvard. "If you are trying to attract women faculty, it is essential that Harvard provide child care."

Slaughter said the discussion over the center was particularly important to students who can have families.

"It is an incredibly important issue for people of child-bearing age," she said while holding her six-month-old boy.

But perhaps some of the best testimony for the center came from Alan P. Jasanoff '92, a graduate student who attended the center as a toddler in the early '70s.

"It looks pretty much the same," he said. "The only thing that is different is that the fence wasn't here, but that's just a sign of the times.

"It would be very difficult for parents to find alternative child care," Santana said.

Judy Walker, co-manager of the Harvard Office of Work and Family, said she receives nearly 100 calls a month from Harvard affiliates seeking child care.

Officials at the center stressed that since its gives preference to Harvard employees and students, they are usually able to find care.

"Harvard faculty get priority at our center. That makes a difference," Morin said.

Professor of Law Anne-Marie Slaughter said that the center's move or closing might be viewed as an opportunity if a new space could be found to house infants. The current program is open to children ranging in age from 15 months to five years.

Morin said he would be open to expanding to include infant care, but that after meeting with administrators last week he was not hopeful.

"As far as we know, there isn't any other space," Morin said.

Members of the center also said that because Harvard defers some of its costs, it is able to provide high-quality care for reasonable prices.

"The reality is that what we don't pay in rent or utilities goes right into services," Morin said.

Walker said the prices are in line with the rates charged at other top day care centers.

The center is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, a validation held by fewer than half of the centers in the area, according to Santana.

Concerned parents said the ability to find affordable child care is of paramount importance.

Hila Harpak, the wife of an Israeli law student, said that amidst the chaos that comes with trying to resettle in a foreign country, she was happy that she could arrange her child care before coming to the United States.

Harpak said the center was a perfect match for her daughter.

"On Saturdays, she asks to go the center," Harpak said. "There are a lot of things going on at the center I can't offer her at home.... It is also a social connection for us."

Other attendees at the gathering today said the University's decision to evict the center is detrimental to Harvard's attempt to attract top women faculty.

"Since the faculty committee requested additional day care, it is essential that this facility remain open," said Peggy Schmertzler, chair of the Committee for the Equality of Women at Harvard. "If you are trying to attract women faculty, it is essential that Harvard provide child care."

Slaughter said the discussion over the center was particularly important to students who can have families.

"It is an incredibly important issue for people of child-bearing age," she said while holding her six-month-old boy.

But perhaps some of the best testimony for the center came from Alan P. Jasanoff '92, a graduate student who attended the center as a toddler in the early '70s.

"It looks pretty much the same," he said. "The only thing that is different is that the fence wasn't here, but that's just a sign of the times.