Texas Border Business
By Veronica Salinas
South Texas College (STC) Mid-Valley Campus Child Development Center continues to play a vital role in supporting student parents, faculty, future educators and the community by providing high-quality, on-campus childcare that removes barriers to education while enriching early childhood learning.
More than a traditional daycare, the Mid-Valley Campus Child Development Center serves as a laboratory school for students pursuing degrees in Early Childhood Education, while also offering a safe, nurturing and academically rich environment for children of STC students and employees.
“What makes an on-campus childcare center different is the intentional focus on education and development,” said Sylvia Serrano, Mid-Valley Child Development Center manager. “Many on-campus centers, like ours, serve as laboratory schools, meaning we employ highly trained staff and students completing their degrees. While traditional daycares focus on safety, supervised play, prioritize structured and research-based curricula, we use Creative Curriculum to support intentional, developmentally appropriate learning.”
The impact of the center reaches far beyond childcare. According to Serrano, access to on-campus childcare has been shown to significantly improve outcomes for student parents.
Student parents who utilize on-campus childcare are more likely to graduate or transfer to a four-year institution,” Serrano said. “We also see improved retention, especially among single parents, because access to affordable, on-campus childcare makes it easier for them to return each semester. Being close to their children allows parents to focus on classes and campus activities without the added stress of long commutes or unreliable care.”
For students, studying Early Childhood Education, the center provides hands-on, real-world experience that cannot be replicated in a classroom alone.
“It has been a great opportunity for me to come into the Child Development Center to observe and learn while continuing my degree,” said Vanessa Gutierrez, Early Childhood Learning field study student. “I have learned so much from interacting with the staff, teachers and children across different age groups. This experience has been eye-opening and has shown me the dedication teachers put into creating a learning environment where children can thrive. It’s helped me grow into a better future educator.”
The center has also proven to be a critical support system for parents working toward graduation.
“This past semester, I was working on my associate degree in early childhood education and needed to complete required hours at the center,” said Kayla Vasquez, Early Childhood Education student and parent. “Halfway through the semester, my daughter’s sitter could no longer watch her, and I was worried I wouldn’t finish my hours. When the center called to let me know there was a spot available for her, it changed everything. I was able to complete my hours, graduate and have my daughter close by.”
Faculty members also benefit from the peace of mind that comes with having their children cared for on campus.
“Having my children at the center allows me to be fully present in my role as faculty,” said Ruby Campuzano, Economics faculty member. “There is no greater comfort than knowing they are in a place where they feel safe, loved and genuinely happy. The staff have become an extension of our family, and we’ve seen tremendous growth in our children’s confidence, curiosity and development.”
Through its commitment to student success, workforce preparation and family support, the Mid-Valley Child Development Center exemplifies STC’s mission to remove barriers and create pathways for students and families to thrive.
By supporting student parents, training future educators and serving faculty families, the center continues to make a lasting impact on the Mid-Valley Campus and the communities it serves.
For more information on the Mid-Valley Campus Child Development Center, visit southtexascollege.edu/child-development-center/.
