Pastel balloons and a clear spring sky set the scene for the dedication of the new Penn Children's Center yesterday afternoon. The PCC, operated by Penn for over a decade, provides child day care to University faculty, staff, students as well as community members. Yesterday's dedication marked the PCC's move into the Left Bank luxury apartment complex on 31st and Chestnut streets, which opened in January. The PCC -- previously housed at 42nd and Spruce streets in the former Divinity School -- began looking for a new permanent home when construction for the Penn-assisted public elementary school was planned nearby. The school is scheduled to open in September. Though other possibilities were under consideration -- including renting space at the Newman Center at 37th and Chestnut streets -- the new apartment complex seemed like the most viable option, according to University officials. "There weren't a whole lot [of options] to choose from," said Marie Witt, associate vice president of business services. "We wanted to stay as central to campus as possible." University President Judith Rodin and Executive Vice President John Fry were on hand for yesterday's ceremony. "Taking care of children is a partnership between parents and schools, but also between learning institutions like ours and parents," Rodin said. She also expressed her personal support for day care facilities. "I could not have raised my child and do what I have done professionally without quality childcare," she said. After Rodin delivered her brief remarks, she helped some of the center's young children plant flowers outside the center. The children sang songs for parents, friends and other community members who attended the opening before plunging into a newly built 4,000 square foot playground. The new, expanded center -- now occupying over 10,000 indoor square feet -- will increase its enrollment by 27 percent, allowing the enrollment of a total of 106 infants, toddlers and preschoolers. Currently, approximately 75 percent of the children at PCC are the children of Penn faculty, staff or students, who receive services at a 15 percent discount. "We love it here," said Colette Desrochers -- a doctor at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia -- whose son, now two and a half, has attended PCC since he was three weeks old. "It's the best day care in the city."
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