Enrollment at Alisal Child Care Center on hold

The Child Development Center at Hartnell College is accepting pre-school applications for the 2013-14 school year that begins in August.

But enrollment at the Alisal Child Development center will be on hold until after trustees decide its fate.

Administrators say the center is operating at a $200,000 annual deficit, and have recommended its operations be outsourced. There were not enough votes at their last meeting to approve the recommended changes, so officials will consider the center's fate again at its next board meeting.

The Child Development Center is a laboratory for child study that offers free preschool for income-eligible families in three-hour sessions, Mondays through Fridays. Children must be at least three years old on or before September 1 to enroll.

At least one parent must be a registered student at the college for both the fall and spring semesters in the 2013-14 academic year. Priority registration runs from April 8 through May 3.

The CDC Lab is located on the main campus at 411 Central Avenue, and accommodates 120 children. Call 755-6945 for more information or to arrange to visit the Center and meet the staff. Enrollment materials can be found here.