Day care centers stretching clock

One in Hillsborough County stays open 24 hours. Working parents say they like the flexibility.

By JOE HUMPHREY

© St. Petersburg Times, published July 5, 2000

TAMPA -- The smiley face clock read 6:30 p.m., about the time most day care centers close. But at Wee Care child care in Sulphur Springs, dinner had just ended and 15 children huddled in the so-called "big room."

They sat around tables, doing puzzles or coloring. A Barney videotape blared in the background, the purple dinosaur projected onto the screen of a 50-inch TV. In the hours ahead, workers would wrestle with the children about manners and, of course, bedtime.

At Wee Care, the doors are always open. It's a lot more than day care; it's a 24-hour-a-day option for parents in need of child care.

Ivette Rodriguez has three daughters who stay at Wee Care, at 8216 N 13th St. She picked them up one night last week just before 9 p.m., after her job at an area factory. Without the option of night care, "I don't think I'd be working," she said.

Without night care, "I'd probably be begging his grandmother," said Erika Quinn, while picking up her 1-year-old son Carlton Quinn last week. "It's convenient. If I need to work overtime, I can call."

The flexibility provided at Wee Care and about 10 other centers in Hillsborough County are a rarity in the child-care world. Most of the county's 350-plus centers close by 7 p.m., though more are opting to stay open later.

"It's an emerging issue," said Erin Brownfield of the New York-based Families and Work Institute, which examines issues of the changing work force. The institute's last study, in 1998, didn't examine night care because too few companies offered it.

"It wasn't on the radar screen yet," Brownfield said, "but I'm sure times have changed."

At the University of South Florida, a center opened in 1998 provides drop-in care until 9 p.m. during the school year. A few blocks west, at 13101 N 23rd St., Childrens Discovery Childcare Center is open until midnight.

Kenny Dickinson said the center extended its hours last August, at the frequent request of customers.

"A lot of parents said, "Why don't you leave the day care open a little later?' " said Dickinson, who runs the night care program

Demand isn't overwhelming. About 15 children are in the night program, and it's rare when all are there at the same time. At Wee Care, about 30 children usually stay at night. And even with the optional all-night care, children almost never spend the night. But the children do see bedtime. And whether it's one kid or 21, there's a degree of difficulty in getting them to bed.

As the children enjoyed a 7:15 p.m. snack of graham crackers at Wee Care recently, Barney sang, I Love You over the sound of crackling cellophane wrappers.

Five minutes later, Susie Steedley popped in a new video and tried to persuade the children to gather on a rug to watch the movie, Homeward Bound II.

Steedley has worked at the center for two years. She told the kids to "criss-cross applesauce" on the rug, lingo for sitting up with legs crossed.

By 7:45 p.m., during time designed for the children to simmer down after a long day, a tickle fight broke out, lasting about five minutes and causing plenty of giggling. Steedley and Chadee had to separate the boys from the girls, deal with children who needed to go to the bathroom or wanted a cup of water. There's also a few 1-year-olds in the room next door.

At 8:10 p.m., Chadee emerged from the kitchen with a cup of coffee. The former nanny has worked at Wee Care for about three years. Her family attends the church that owns the center, Living Word Fellowship.

The church opened the child care center in 1993 and expanded to 24 hours three years ago after county officials asked whether the center would be willing to stay open.

"They said they would help us by sending mothers to us," said the Rev. David Anton.

Anton and his wife, the Rev. Alice Anton, stopped in the center after church Wednesday, and she helped put a restless 2-year-old, nicknamed "Plum," to sleep just past 9:30 p.m.

Ms. Anton said she was reluctant to try night care, but it has worked out well for her church and the community.

"Look at all the kids who we've helped," she said.

When the Antons left about 10, only three remained. Tammy Jackson, who works from 10 p.m. until 6 a.m., arrived and watched children until 12:15 a.m., when the last parent arrived. She then spent the remainder of the evening doing paperwork, cleaning and preparing for the next day.

The kids begin showing up when the happy yellow clock hits 5 a.m.

- Times staff writer Joe Humphrey can be reached at (813) 226-3403 or humphrey@sptimes.com.

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