MENTONE — People may now enroll their kids at the Valley Early Learning Academy.
The Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce had a ribbon-cutting on Thursday for the child care facility located in two rooms at Mentone Elementary School.
VELA has served the kids of Tippecanoe Valley School Corp. staff for two years, but is now open to the general public as well after becoming recently licensed.

    Pictured is a look at Valley Early Learning Academy's infant room. Photo by Leah Sander, InkFreeNews
  

Parents may enroll their kids immediately or for the upcoming year, with ages 6 weeks to 3 years old served. If parents are signing up their kids for the upcoming year, their kids must be the previously listed ages by Aug. 1.
Children will be placed into two rooms: 6 weeks to 16 months and 17 months to 3 years.
The facility is led by VELA Coordinator Courtney Kindig and VELA Director and TVSC Director of Special Services Meagan Wilks. They're assisted by two lead teachers and an assistant teacher, with the corporation working on hiring another assistant teacher.
Kindig said more staff could be added as needed.
"We are almost full already, and we have a wait list for next year," said Kindig of the demand thus far, adding staff are "pleasantly surprised with that outcome."
"We are excited for the future," she said.
Kindig thanked LaunchPad, an organization which works to promote child care and early childhood education in Kosciusko County, for its help.
"LaunchPad has been an instrumental part of creating these (child care) programs (in area schools)," she said. "(LaunchPad Director) Sherry Searles is a huge part of getting (us) the training and just advocating for us as well."
Searles said after the ribbon-cutting that LaunchPad received a grant from Early Learning Indiana, which has helped VELA.
"It's definitely been an effort of lots of people (to get VELA open and licensed), and we're very thankful to have this not only for your staff, but now for the community," she said.

    Pictured is a look at Valley Early Learning Academy's toddler room. Photo by Leah Sander, InkFreeNews
  

The Kosciusko County Community Foundation also has helped VELA with grant funding.
Kindig said the cost for infant care is $167.50 weekly and toddler care $152.50 weekly currently, with meals being an additional expense.
She said that's "low" compared to the current market rate. People may also utilize state Child Care and Development Fund vouchers for their kids to attend VELA.
Kindig said VELA provides "a high-quality early childhood experience where we advocate for the children and we cater to the children's health, safety and wellness."
"Our curriculum is High Scope, so it's very play-based and child-centered, so the children are able to make those choices and learn boundaries, with the guidance of the teacher and the classroom," she said.
Kindig said having VELA at Mentone especially helps kids who will one day be in elementary school in the building adjacent to the location.
To schedule a tour of the facility, email Kindig at [email protected]. To learn more, visit the website at www.tvsc.k12.in.us and choose the Valley Early Learning Academy tab.