The Kiwanis Club of Huntington operates a Day Care Center at 71 Washington Avenue
in Huntington that can provide service to 76 children per day. Founded in 1930 as the Kiwanis Day
Nursery, the center has grown from a small facility in a donated residence to a modern
facility with seven classrooms, kitchen, cafeteria and offices.
The Mission of the Center remains "providing an environment for the
children of the kindergarten and pre-kindergarten age that will bring
about their wholesome development physically, mentally, morally, and
socially; and to provide especially for those children above age whose
parents or guardians, because of their employment, must leave their
children without adequate supervision during the day."
All classrooms provide an educationally based curriculum which is
also used by the Cabell County Board of Education. Breakfast, lunch, and
snack approved by the Office of Child Nutrition are served daily to all
children in attendance. Additionally, the program provides outdoor play
to all children daily on two playgrounds separated for children under
two and over two years of age.
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KDCC History
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The Kiwanis Day Care Center is the oldest continuous service project in
the world as recognized by Kiwanis International. The Kiwanis Club of Huntington has
received many awards over the years for their efforts with this project.
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Patricia J. (Patti) Nelson was named Director of the KDCC in August, 2001,
as just the 5th director in 73 years. She has an Education degree from Marshall
University and has considerable credits towards her Masters. She is certified as
an Early Childhood Development Specialist (ACDS) and has a total of 25 years of
experience. Ms. Nelson, a Kiwanis member, and her staff of trained caregivers
continue to provide quality service. Five staff members hold BA degrees,
three staff hold ACDS Certifications in Day Care Services, and seven
staff members are currently enrolled in the ACDS Apprentice Program. All
staff are provided 16 hours of training per year in core competencies of
child development and receive CPR/First Aid Training.
The Day Care Center is a United Way agency and as such qualifies for
funding.
The Day Care Center is proud of their accreditation by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.