Children are our future, but they also require someone to watch and take care of them during the day when they are young. Now try having to find someone to take care of your child when you are busy making a living for yourself or trying to earn a college degree. This task can be daunting and challenging to the many parents who are N.C. State students, faculty and staff — as there are currently no options available to them here on our campus.

The University doesn’t offer any support to students, faculty and staff who have children to take care of or provide on-campus child care for these parents. The only assistance the University supplies is a link on the Human Resources Web site where parents can find child care “close by.”

It is unacceptable for our University to not offer any form of child care assistance to parents. NCSU must consider opening up a child day care center on campus where students, faculty and staff members can drop their children off before they go to work or attend class.

By opening this center, it will greatly relieve the pain and stress of parents searching for a child care center where they can entrust their children.

Additionally, students that don’t have children can benefit from working at the child care center. Our elementary education students can work with the children to improve their interaction skills. Psychology students can observe the children for research they are conducting.

With the renovations that are taking place all over campus, the University should have no problem finding an area for the child care center. A lot of schools around the country offer this service on their campuses, such as Ohio State University.

The University does provide family housing on campus, but families need assistance during the day. With the establishment of a child care center, parents will be able to check up on their kids during their lunch breaks, thus putting them at ease.

It’s time our University looks toward our future and takes care of these children now.