Smart Start preschool to provide access to day care

The Boys and Girls Clubs of Western Nevada celebrated the grand opening of its first Smart Start preschool center Monday before beginning operations on Tuesday.

BGC’s board members, city officials, families and community partners were excited about the possibility of more planned Smart Start locations by 2025, according to chief executive officer Brett Zunino.

Zunino said the centers would help serve a pressing need for affordable day care in the region. According to an assessment, there are about 1,900 children 5 years or younger who do not have access to day care. For every child in day care, there are three waiting for that same spot.

“We need 32 more centers just to satisfy those numbers,” Zunino said.

The first Smart Start at the BGCWN’s 1870 Russell Way location is its launchpad for at least another site planned by the end of next year, Zunino said.

Local representatives Kurt Englehart, state senior advisor from Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto’s office, and Abbey Pike from Sen. Jacky Rosen’s Reno office presented certificates of recognition to honor the center’s establishment.

Jessica Garcia / Nevada Appeal

Michele Williams, director of Smart Start Centers for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Western Nevada, interacts with Jennifer Sampson, 4, and Asher Lenzora, 4 at the organization’s grand opening of its first preschool Monday.

 

Nevada is considered a child care desert with more than 74% of children ages 0 to 5 without access to licensed child care.

Zunino told the Appeal Gov. Joe Lombardo has been interested in early literacy and learning for children, with the BGC pursuing grants and funding for its new Russell Way facility.

Michele Williams, director of Smart Start Centers for the BGC, said efforts to find space for new facilities were made complicated since most existing buildings were vacant or commercial and there are playground or safety requirements for child care facilities.

“It was kind of beautiful that we ended up here (on Russell Way),” Williams said. “The people know our building. It’s familiar and it’s a good start. We were just looking at the best space possible because we knew the need was so dire.”

Carson City Mayor Lori Bagwell read a proclamation recognizing the BGCWN for its efforts, with Supervisors Lisa Schuette and Maurice White in attendance, as well as Sheriff Ken Furlong, who serves on the BGCWN’s board of directors.

“I look out at this room, and I want to say thank you to all of you,” Bagwell said. “I know it takes a community to make this happen. It takes vision, which I want to thank the Boys and Girls Club and your board of directors, but it takes a community to make these things happen.”

Angie Sampson of Carson City, mother of Jennifer Sampson, 4, and Lindsey Harrison of Dayton, mother of Asher Lenzora, 4, attended the grand opening with their children.

Jessica Garcia / Nevada Appeal

Boys and Girls Clubs of Western Nevada staff and board members, city officials and congressional representatives, including Carson City Mayor Lori Bagwell and BGCWN executive director Brett Zunino, center, prepare to cut the ribbon to celebrate the organization’s grand opening of its first Smart Start preschool facility to serve 40 4- and 5-year-old children daily.

 

Angie Sampson decided to bring her to the new Smart Start location.

“I ended up putting her in this school,” Sampson said. “I just liked the curriculum and the hours of operation.”

Harrison said her son was in a Dayton home day care but it was easier to bring him to the BGC’s facility factoring in her employment at a salon in Carson City.

“There are not enough day cares in this area,” Harrison said. “It’s almost like a bidding war. There’s a huge waiting list. Who can get your kid in where?”

The center on Russell Way for now will have the capacity to serve 40 4- and 5-year-old children daily. Hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Staff members are planning to renovate a facility to open more than 100 spots for kids 6 months to 5 years old. Zunino said a new space was purchased on Mountain Street, and that Smart Start location should be operating by the end of this year with a total of 200 children served by 2025.