Family Enrichment Center

Leadership from the Yavapai College Foundation and many generous donors made the $2 million Del E. Webb Family Enrichment Center (FEC) on the Prescott Campus a reality.

The Family Enrichment Center:

• Serves as a first-class, state-of-the-art learning laboratory for Yavapai College students following the early childhood education career track.
• Allows students to observe best practices, implement class assignments in a supervised setting and fulfill the practicum and internship requirements for their associate's degree in a model setting.
• Positively impacts the community by graduating skilled, knowledgeable and dedicated professionals in the early childhood education field.
• Educates community members by offering parenting workshops, support groups, after school programs and childcare classes for teens and grandparents.
• Reflects an appreciation of the importance of each child's daily experiences in a safe and secure environment, where adults are nurturing, caring and knowledgeable about child development.

Give to the FEC Childcare Scholarship Fund today!

Lack of affordable childcare is one of the top barriers to Yavapai College students with young children pursing their education. Without access to childcare, parents are forced to quit their jobs, choose between work and school, turn to welfare or leave their children in unsafe situations. Low-income students in particular can feel that the cost of quality childcare outweighs the perceived benefit they receive from attending classes.

Parents surveyed in a 2006 Yavapai College Child Care Needs Survey conducted by the Institutional Research Department identified cost as the number one factor considered when selecting childcare, followed by the location/convenience, whether the caregiver is licensed by the state and whether the program includes planned learning activities.

Many respondents to the survey reported that they knew of people who did not take classes at Yavapai College because of childcare issues. For example, one student stated: “Many friends, co-workers and acquaintances do not attend college because they can’t afford daycare. This is a terrible thing for everyone.” Another student said, “Higher education is increasingly important in the livelihood of people today. Anything that can be done to help people attend college should be done. Childcare is a major factor in deterrence of many people due to cost or convenient places and times.”

Please join the Yavapai College Foundation in our effort to support the educational aspirations of low-income students with young children by supporting the Childcare Scholarship Fund.

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