A day-care facility operating within the Oxford Meadows subdivision received special land use approval last week from the Oxford Township Planning Commission to allow up to 12 children on site.
Commissioners granted the request of Cindy Peck, owner of Advantage Child Care at 1208 Yale Drive, in a 7-0 vote.
Peck, whose operation has been licensed by the state since 2012, explained to commissioners she wanted to expand in order to justify having a second employee on the payroll to help with one of the special needs children.
‘We only really want (to care for) 10 (children),? she said. ‘That’s what we’re aiming for.?
The child care business serves kids ages 0-5 and operates from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. It’s a ‘tight-knit group? in that new families are only accepted as clients if they’ve been recommended by other parents, according to Peck. She noted she cares for the children of police officers, firefighters and school teachers.
A public hearing was held and no one spoke either for or against the special land use. However, it was noted letters of support from neighbors were submitted to the township.
Advantage Child Care was originally established as a way for Peck to pay the bills and prevent her house from being foreclosed on after her husband lost his job.
Her husband is working is again, but Peck continues to operate the child care business because she believes it’s needed.
‘Kids shouldn’t be left home alone,? she said. ‘Kids should be with someone. They need attention. They need us.?
‘Kids need someone to sit down and talk to them,? Peck continued. ‘They don’t need somebody (who is) always running out on them and running here or running there. They just need someone.?
In addition to fulfilling a community need, Peck thoroughly enjoys the child care business.
‘I love those kids,? she said. ‘I don’t want them to go anywhere else. I want to influence them.?
Commissioners inquired about Advantage Child Care’s safety measures.
According to Peck, there are alarms on all of the home’s doors and windows, and there’s a ‘giant fence? around the yard.
‘We have every safety feature possible,? she said.
There is an above-ground swimming pool at the house, however, Peck explained it’s only 36 inches deep and it has its own set of safety features such as a fence around the perimeter, a quarterdeck and a doorway with a combination lock.
‘The kids are not allowed on the pool deck unless they have a life jacket on,? she said.
Whenever kids are using the pool, there’s always adult supervision, added Peck, who noted she has lifeguard certification.