SAN DIEGO - Mayor Dick Murphy today welcomed parents and children to Kiddie Hall, the City of San Diego's new downtown child care center, during the center's official dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony. This exciting new City resource will provide City employees and the Downtown community with a conveniently located and state-of-the-art facility for their children.

In 1950, the number of women in the workforce with dependant children was 12 percent - that number increased to more than 65 percent in 1998. The San Diego City Council recognized the growing need for quality, affordable child care services for those who live and work in the City of San Diego, and in 1998, made it its policy to act as a "model employer." This effort has led to an increase in the availability, affordability and quality of child care available to the citizens of the City of San Diego.

By offering family sensitive employee benefits, which assist employees in balancing work, family and childcare needs, the City hopes to encourage other employers in San Diego to do the same. Kiddie Hall is the latest of more than 60 centers that have been built in the City through the coordination of the City's Child Care Services.

"Child care centers for city employees and their children is something I have supported since my days on the City Council in the 1980s when I often took my youngest child to work with me," said Mayor Dick Murphy. "Providing a safe and nurturing environment for children is vital."

Kiddie Hall can accommodate up to 150 children from infants to 5 years of age. Drop-in care is also available for school-age kids during vacations and holidays. The 13,000-square-foot center, is equipped with eight, age-specific classrooms that offer developmentally appropriate education programs featuring art, music and creative movement. Knowledge Beginnings, a national leader in early childhood development will manage and staff the center with experienced teachers - giving young children the foundation for success in a fun and enriching environment.

Kiddie Hall also features two outdoor play areas, including the third floor deck area playground for infants and toddlers, as well as the park play area, for 3 to 5-year-olds, located on the ground floor outside. The park area playground is still under construction and should be completed in January 2003. A drop-off and pick-up area for pre-school age children is located on 7th Avenue, where parents can sign-in and out their kids. Infants and toddlers must be brought into the center using the main entrance.

The total cost of Kiddie Hall is $1.2 million. The City of San Diego and Comerica Bank have partnered to share the cost of funding this exceptional new child care facility. Kiddie Hall also received generous donations from City of San Diego Unions, Consolidated Contracting and Knowledge Beginnings, to enhance the selection of toys and learning materials available to the children enrolled in the center.

Located in Downtown, Kiddie Hall is near the City Administration Building, at 600 B Street, Third Floor, San Diego, CA 92101. Center hours are 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, and closed on City holidays. Priority registration is given to City employees, followed by tenants of the Comerica Building, then to the general public.

For more information on Kiddie Hall including space availability, registration and a fee schedule, visit the City's web site at www.sandiego.gov or contact Deb Ferrin at 533-6511. For more information on Knowledge Beginnings, call (310) 348-9548.

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With an emphasis on the City's urban core neighborhoods and low and moderate income residents, the Community and Economic Development Department strives to improve the quality of life and ensure a healthy economy in San Diego through job development, business development, neighborhood revitalization, public improvements, redevelopment, social services, and revenue enhancement.