"There is a big need in the community," Miller said. Tabitha Miller, chief academic officer at MCC, said student interest in the early childhood program at MCC will help fill the gap for child care in the county. Deboria Outlaw, an early childhood instructor at MCC, said early childhood student enrollment has increased from 18 students in 2018 to 30 students enrolled this fall. While the industry is experiencing shortages, MCC appears to be seeing an uptick in interest in the career. EdNC reporter Liz Bell has outlined recent decreases in children enrolled in programs, overall sites, and staff members from January 2018 to November 2021. Teaching shortages in early child care are forcing the state to get creative. There are 1,211 children aged 0-5, but only 703 children are enrolled in child care in the county as of July 2022. Staton has experienced the impact of Martin Community College firsthand.Īccording to the Martin-Pitt Partnership for Children, there are only 12 child care centers and 7 family child care homes in Martin County. In terms of jobs, MCC’s impact supported 1,010 jobs. Īccording to a recent economic impact study, Martin Community College added $54.9 million in income to its regional economy, which includes Martin, Bertie, Pitt, Edgecombe, Beaufort, and Washington counties. “I stepped out on faith and went in that direction,” Staton said.
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She said the resources the center provided, plus her family support, helped kick start the dream she had. Staton said it was Charles Banks and Lena Jackson at the MCC Small Business Center who provided her with the information and resources to buy the building. I weighed all my options about buying this building.” “I was like, ‘You know what, I'm just gonna trust this process and just go for it.’ And I said, ‘I'm gonna go ahead and buy the building,’” Staton said. Tonya Staton watches the front window for students getting off of the bus. She said the MCC Small Business Center helped her realize that owning was an option. While her former employer wanted to sell the building, Staton hoped to rent, largely due to uncertainties related to COVID-19. For the last year, she has worked closely with the former owner – also her former employer – in hopes of taking over the business. Since then, Staton has worked in child care centers across the area. 15, 1999 – when Hurricane Floyd touched down in North Carolina. She remembers her start to the date – Sept. Staton's career in child care began nearly 23 years ago. With the help of the Martin Community College Small Business Center, Staton was able to officially open her own child care center this summer. to 11:30 p.m., Tonya Staton or a member of her team is onsite caring for young learners at N.C. SeptemChild care center opens thanks to help from Martin Community College Small Business Centerīy Cheyenne McNeill, EducationNC September 12, 2022Įvery weekday from 5:30 a.m. Please email Dean Drescher at if you have any questions.Ĭhild care center opens thanks to help from Martin Community College Small Business Center If you republish a story, please let us know by emailing Dean Drescher at.
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