Free Summer Childcare Helps Student Parents

As a mother of five, Sharay Diarrassouba faced a familiar challenge for student parents: finding affordable childcare while balancing multiple part-time jobs and summer classes at LaGuardia Community College.

The 40-year-old deaf studies major said the college’s Early Childhood Learning Center had long helped her stay focused on earning her degree. But when summer arrived, she still needed care for her youngest child, 6-year-old Bilal.

A staff member recommended Horizons NYC, a free seven-week summer program housed in LaGuardia’s center that combines childcare with academic enrichment, swimming, art and field trips—allowing Diarrassouba to continue taking summer courses while her son spent his days learning and playing.

“It was nice to have that secure childcare and not have to depend on a friend or a babysitter or whatnot to care for him,” said Diarrassouba. “I was able to fully focus on class, and it’s just been a really amazing environment for him.”

The free childcare allowed Diarrassouba not only to stay on track toward graduation, but also to keep working her part-time jobs.

“Without [Horizons NYC], my whole paycheck would have been going toward childcare, and it wouldn’t have been as convenient because the children are here on campus,” she said. “I’m able to take my class; I’m able to work my hours and then pick them up when I’m done.”

More than childcare: Now entering its second year, Horizons NYC at LaGuardia is the first and only Horizons program in New York City located on a college campus, serving student parents and their children.

Each summer, Horizons NYC at LaGuardia welcomes a new cohort of rising kindergarteners, adding a grade level as returning students get older. This summer, the program reached capacity with 45 students—15 each in rising kindergarten, first and second grade—and has a wait list.

The college’s Early Childhood Learning Center provides free, year-round childcare for 209 children of student parents, ranging in age from 6 months to 12 years. Horizons NYC expands that support during the summer by serving an additional 45 children through a free seven-week enrichment program.

A brightly colored classroom where Horizons NYC children learn and participate in summer activities at LaGuardia Community College. — As part of Horizons NYC, children of student parents learn and participate in summer activities at LaGuardia Community College.

Sonya Evariste, executive director of the Early Childhood Learning Center programs at LaGuardia, said the Horizons wait list reflects the strong demand among student parents for affordable summer childcare. She noted that Horizons will continue expanding one grade each year until it serves students from kindergarten through ninth grade.

“We wanted to ensure that we have campus childcare available for student parents so that they can meet their goals and finish their education without worrying about their children,” Evariste said. “Having their children right here on campus is major for them.”

Evariste said the program also helps student parents and their children build a stronger connection to the college community.

“This collaboration [with Horizons NYC] helps student parents see college as something that’s achievable,” Evariste said. “It strengthens the connection between LaGuardia and the families that it serves.”

While academics are a core part of the program, Evariste said the goal is to create an experience that feels more like summer camp than summer school.

Students split their days between academic enrichment and camp-style activities. Mornings include literacy and math instruction, while afternoons are devoted to swimming, cooking, arts and crafts, and other enrichment opportunities.

Children wearing bathing suits, swim caps, and goggles are lined up waiting for their turn in the pool. Two adults are with them. — Children enrolled in the Horizons NYC summer program have access to swimming lessons.

Swimming has become one of the program’s most popular activities, Evariste said. Diarrassouba said Bilal talks about the swim lessons every time she picks him up.

“He’s very proud that he knows how to swim,” Diarrassouba said. “He’s really happy that he can just be independent in the water and have a good time.”

Making college possible: The program helps reduce the cost of childcare, which can create a significant barrier for many families, including student parents. During the summer, those challenges often mount as families search for affordable enrichment opportunities for their children.

Just 13 percent of low-income children nationwide attend summer camps, compared with 45 percent of children from higher-income families, according to a new report from the nonprofit Afterschool Alliance.

Evariste said having a free summer program on campus helps remove one of the burdens that can prevent student parents from staying enrolled during the summer.

“Childcare is extremely expensive, so I’m grateful that LaGuardia ensures childcare takes place on campus so that we can support student parents,” said Evariste. “That removes the financial barriers from them.”

Two children coloring. — Children split their time between academic enrichment and camp-style activities, like arts and crafts.

Diarrassouba, who recently graduated from LaGuardia and is now transferring to Queens College, said Horizons allowed her to balance her responsibilities as a student, employee and parent without constantly worrying about childcare.

“It allowed me to not feel stressed-out and worried, and I’m able to focus on my studies and focus on work,” said Diarrassouba. “I don’t have to worry about what the children are doing or if they’re having a good time or if they’re safe.”

“It makes a really big difference having a program like this,” she added. “To have such a program and not even have to pay for it is a blessing.”

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