(PCM+) The Child Development Center:

A Place for Ponca City’s Children Since 1967

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“To provide nurturing, developmentally appropriate childcare that builds a foundation for lifelong learning, with an emphasis on life skills and school readiness.”

~Mission Statement of CDC

Ponca City’s Child Development Center (CDC) has a rich history of taking care of not only children, but families, and they are still growing and going strong today. Director Mary Beth Hunt calls the facility her “happy place.” She says what leads to her favorite moments are when children know her name and are excited to see her. In addition, she is most proud when children meet both their behavioral and educational/knowledge goals.

For the community, the growth has been a tremendous benefit during a time when many daycare providers are either cutting programs or closing their doors. CDC’s mission is important now than it has been in the past.

CDC originally opened its doors in 1967 when a Church Women United group, made up of individuals from a variety of local churches completed a survey and began plans to help the families they discovered needed daycare with assistance in paying the cost. A portion of the cost for families was covered through the contributions and fundraising of this group of women. The program’s first day began with five children, but normal daily attendance soon reached 30.