Community partners who collaborated to make the Jan McCarthy Early Childhood Education Center a reality gathered for a ribbon cutting Thursday at Indiana State University.
The facility, located at 749 Chestnut St., increases quality childcare opportunities for the community, which in turn contributes to economic development efforts, officials said.
It also provides enhanced learning opportunities for ISU students, including those studying at the Bayh College of Education, located next door.
The center is named in honor of Jan McCarthy, former ISU faculty member known as a pioneer in early childhood education. McCarthy, who now lives in Florida, visited the center earlier in the day.
The early childhood education center represents “a commitment to families, to children and the future of west central Indiana, ”said ISU President Mike Godard. “We all know that quality childcare is not simply a convenience. It’s an essential part of building strong families, strong communities and a strong workforce.”
