Bronx Community College’s smallest scholars had some big visitors on Tuesday, September 24, when representatives from Puerto Rico’s Department of Family came to our campus to see BCC’s Early Childhood Center in action. The two-story structure bordering Sedgewick Avenue provides a pre-school education to the children of BCC students, who learn and play while their mothers and fathers attend classes elsewhere on campus.

The five-person delegation was led by Secretary Glorimar Andujar-Matos, of the Puerto Rico Department of Family. Accompanying them was Vidia Cordero, Associate Commissioner of the New York City Administration for Children Services (ACS). The delegation was interested in seeing how New York handles child care — and ACS recommended BCC’s accredited program as an ideal example.

The visitors were welcomed by BCC President Thomas A. Isekenegbe, and Vice President for Student Success, Dr. Irene R. Delgado — and greeted by the children themselves, who had created a special poster of welcome for the occasion. They then toured the brightly-decorated classrooms and the fitness and safety conscious playground before having brunch in the Center’s multipurpose room.

Leading the expedition was the ECC’s director, Jitinder “Judy” Walia, who talked about the Center’s “two-generation approach.” Explained Director Walia, “We have a family worker and a social worker who are continuously doing everything to support the parents — because when we take care of them, they are able to give their support to the children.”

The Center continues to provide support for student success, retention and graduation.