About

This project increased capacity of the Child Development Center (CDC), which serves the university’s faculty, staff and students.

Part of the Division of Student Affairs, the CDC offers high-quality, affordable care to 68 children. At the time of the expansion's opening in fall 2022, the center had a waitlist of more than 200 children/families.

The university recognizes the importance of child care in recruiting and retaining highly qualified faculty, staff and students, and for allowing students to continue their education as they raise and expand their families. The center’s operations are funded by sliding scale fees based on the income of the parents and families of the children.

One of the new classrooms in App State's Child Development Center. Photo by Chase Reynolds

Child Development Center students are shown in one of the facility's new classrooms in September 2022. Photo by Chase Reynolds

A Child Development Center (CDC) staff member, far left, works with young CDC students in the center's adjacent playground facilities in September 2022. Photo by Chase Reynolds

See the progress of the Child Development Center expansion project unfold by viewing this photo gallery. This first image shows an artist's rendering of the building’s expansion. Image courtesy of Clark Nexsen

A map of the expanded Child Development Center. Image courtesy of Clark Nexsen

The Child Development Center, located on Poplar Grove Road near campus. Photo by Marie Freeman

Excavation work at App State’s Child Development Center is shown in this photo taken Nov. 9, 2021. Photo by Chase Reynolds

Sections of the pre-fabricated building that is part of App State’s Child Development Center expansion are placed on foundation piers, as show in this December 2021 photo. Photo by Randy Jones

This December 2021 photo shows workers examining the placement of pre-fabricated building sections at App State’s Child Development Center (CDC). The CDC expansion, once complete, will allow the facility to accommodate an additional 40–50 children. Photo by Randy Jones

Workers install siding and a pitched roof on the new pre-fabricated building. Photo by Chase Reynolds

Expansion work at the site of App State’s Child Development Center, located on Poplar Grove Road near campus, is underway, as shown in this January 2022 photo. The center’s new, pre-fabricated building is pictured in the foreground. Photo by Chase Reynolds

This photo, taken March 22, 2022, shows construction progress on the expansion project at App State’s Child Development Center. Photo by Chase Reynolds

Paint is applied to portions of the new facility at App State’s Child Development Center, as shown in this photo taken April 25, 2022. Photo by Chase Reynolds

Construction of the new facility at App State’s Child Development Center, shown in this April 25, 2022, photo, is on schedule and slated for completion in late May 2022. Photo by Chase Reynolds

This June 13, 2022, photo shows site work taking place at App State’s Child Development Center during summer 2022. This work includes installing sidewalks, as well as additional parking and exterior playground space, and landscaping. Photo by Chase Reynolds

Workers construct a covered walkway that will connect the existing Child Development Center to the site’s new facility, as shown in this June 13, 2022, photo. Photo by Chase Reynolds

Exterior construction on the new facility at App State’s Child Development Center is shown in this June 13, 2022, photo. Photo by Chase Reynolds

Construction progress on the expansion of App State’s Child Development Center is shown in this photo taken June 13, 2022. Photo by Chase Reynolds

The newly paved and striped parking lot at App State’s Child Development Center is shown in this July 8, 2022, photo. Photo by Chase Reynolds

This photo, taken July 8, 2022, shows the finished covered walkway that connects the existing Child Development Center building to the site’s new facility. Photo by Chase Reynolds

Site work for the new facility at App State’s Child Development Center is nearly complete, as shown in this photo taken July 8, 2022. The facility is scheduled to open to children and their families for the fall 2022 semester. Photo by Chase Reynolds

The nearly completed expansion of App State's Child Development Center is shown in this aerial photo taken Aug. 2, 2022. Click on the image for a full view. Photo by Wes Craig and Chase Reynolds

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Status

A design selection committee worked through the fall 2018 semester soliciting proposals from possible design firms and conducting interviews. The committee’s final selection, Clark Nexsen, of Asheville, was approved by App State’s Board of Trustees Friday, Dec. 7, 2018. Clark Nexsen concluded a feasibility study recommending a best course of action to university leadership in June 2019.

After considering the report, the university planned to add a 3,000-square-foot, pre-fabricated building with a fixed foundation to the existing site on Poplar Grove Road and renovate the current building — changes that would allow the facility to accommodate an additional 40–50 children. Associated site work was to consist of a new drop-off area, parking, sidewalks and exterior playground space. Site preparation began with the boring of soil samples in January 2020.

Zoning and annexation into the Town of Boone were approved in fall 2020, and MBI Builders LLC was signed as contractor in February 2021. The project experienced permitting and materials delays, which extended the completion date of construction work for the building’s exterior to June 2022.

The sections of the pre-fabricated building arrived at App State in December 2021, with siding and a pitched roofed installed in early spring 2022. Workers moved furniture into the new facility and completed work for the site’s sidewalks, parking lot and new playground area in summer 2022. Facility classrooms passed local health department inspection in August 2022 and the building received its certificate of occupancy. CDC received its North Carolina Division of Child Development and Early Education licensure for the facility on Aug. 19, 2022, and opened on Aug. 22, 2022 — the first day of fall 2022 semester classes at App State. A dedication ceremony for the building will be held later in fall 2022.

The center is licensed for 54 additional children. The design added five additional classrooms, a kitchen, laundry facilities and additional parking and sidewalks around the new and existing buildings. Additionally, a new AppalCART bus stop will be placed at the center this fall, providing greater access to and from CDC for those student parents and community families who rely on local transit.

How is it funded?

The UNC Board of Governors has approved the expenditure of $2.57 million in university operating funds for the total project.

Who will benefit?

Primarily, the campus community, as more students, faculty and staff will have access to high-quality, affordable child care through the university.

A recent assessment by Wellness and Prevention Services indicated an increasing number of students have dependents and need additional support, such as child care options, to thrive at App State. Most of these student parents do not have family support nearby, according to the Child Development Center’s director, Moriah Stegall.

Secondly, the larger community may benefit as slots in local child care facilities become available as a result of the increased accommodation by the CDC.

How does it support UNC System Goals and Metrics?

An enhanced campus designed with students, faculty, staff and the public in mind supports recruitment and retention of all members of the university and local communities.