ARTS CENTER FLOATS CHILD CARE PLAN.Byline: Douglas Clark
Douglas Clark (born 1942) is an English poet. Clark was born in Darlington, County Durham, England, to Scottish parents in 1942. / Daily News Staff Writer For those parents of small children who don't get out much anymore, the night life may soon be more convenient if the Simi Valley Simi Valley (sē`mē, sĭm`ē), city (1990 pop. 100,217), Ventura co., SW Calif. in an oil, fruit, and farm region; laid out 1887, inc. 1969. Cultural Arts Center is allowed to provide child care. On Wednesday, the arts center board approved sending a proposal for child care to the city's Risk Management Department. The proposal was developed by David Ralphe, arts center general manager, who said child care could be in place for selected performances by late autumn. ``I'm cautiously optimistic op·ti·mist n. 1. One who usually expects a favorable outcome. 2. A believer in philosophical optimism. op ,'' he said. ``Hopefully it'll get more people into the theater.'' The model Ralphe developed is based on programs now offered at various health clubs. Unlike day care centers, the health clubs provide short-term Short-term Any investments with a maturity of one year or less. short-term 1. Of or relating to a gain or loss on the value of an asset that has been held less than a specified period of time. supervision for children whose parents remain on the premises. Parents are also required to sign a waiver The voluntary surrender of a known right; conduct supporting an inference that a particular right has been relinquished. The term waiver is used in many legal contexts. that releases the clubs from liability. Parents must make a reservation, and may not drop off their children and then leave the building. If approved, the same guidelines guidelines, n.pl a set of standards, criteria, or specifications to be used or followed in the performance of certain tasks. would be used at the arts center, where a community room would be used as the child care facility. ``This is a unique space here. It can do things other places can't,'' said Ralphe. ``And developing an audience is one of our prime objectives.'' Though the cost of the service has not been determined, Ralphe said he hopes the fee will be nominal. ``I'd like to offer it for free as a service, but it's cost-prohibitive,'' he said. Caregivers will be chosen based on their familiarity with the arts. Though Ralphe said children will occasionally be entertained en·ter·tain v. en·ter·tained, en·ter·tain·ing, en·ter·tains v.tr. 1. To hold the attention of with something amusing or diverting. See Synonyms at amuse. 2. with videos or by storytellers, he would prefer offering instruction in art disciplines, such as painting and acting. Ralphe said he's already received calls from parents who have heard about his plan to offer the service. But that's not surprising since it was listening to parents' complaints about not being able to get out much that inspired Ralphe to develop the program. ``After sitting in a lot of meetings hearing the same complaint, a light bulb bulb, thickened, fleshy plant bud, usually formed under the surface of the soil, which carries the plant over from one blooming season to another. It may have many fleshy layers (as in the onion and hyacinth) or thin dry scales (as in some lilies)—both of which went off. It occurred to me that this is a real obstacle to going to the theater,'' he said. Sandi Webb, a City Council member who also serves on the arts center board, said members of the panel are enthusiastic about the plan. ``I think it's viable and exciting. We've overcome a lot of the major hurdles,'' she said. On Thursday, James Bartholomew, Simi Valley risk manager, said he had not yet seen the proposal and so couldn't comment. But he said his department often responds to proposals of this type ``quite rapidly.'' |
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