With cheers and laughter overtaking the clipping sounds of their blunt-nosed scissors, approximately 30 children from the new Cornell Child Care Center helped Cornell President David J. Skorton; Vice President for Human Resources Mary Opperman; Director of Workforce Diversity, Equity and Life Quality Lynette Chappell-Williams; Director of Human Resources Administration Betsy Shrier; and Cornell trustee Blanche Goldenberg officially open the center at a ribbon-cutting -- make that a paper chain-cutting -- ceremony Oct. 15.

The chain, made of red-and-white construction paper by the children last week, dressed up the occasion for some 90 Cornell trustees, senior staff, administrators, parents, center staff and local government officials and contractors attending.

"The opening of this center is a great milestone in Cornell's efforts to be the best employer we possibly can be," said Skorton at the event.

The new center can accommodate 48 infants, 50 toddlers and 60 preschoolers -- not enough space for all of Cornell's child-care needs, but a critical addition to what has been available. The 16,240-square-foot facility is open 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., accepts children of Cornell staff, students and faculty and is conveniently located near Hasbrouck's graduate student apartments.

"It offers a safe, exciting and innovative environment in which children can learn, explore, develop social skills and grow," said Skorton.

In her remarks, Opperman looked back 20 years to the Task Force for Working Families, which was formed in 1988 to address work and family challenges. At that time, the task force developed 39 recommendations for the university's consideration; among these was the need to increase the availability of accessible, affordable day care.

"In the intervening years in our work with the Day Care and Child Development Council of Tompkins County, other child-care providers and Bright Horizons Family Solutions, we have done much to help meet the needs not only of our staff and faculty, but also our students," said Opperman, noting that with the completion of the child care center, the university has fulfilled all 39 task force recommendations.

This ongoing and enduring commitment to working families and individuals has been the basis for the numerous workplace awards Cornell has received over the past several years; most recently Cornell has been recognized by Working Mother magazine as a best company for working mothers for the third consecutive year, by the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption as a top 100 adoption-friendly workplace (two years in a row), by Conceive Magazine as a top 50 family-friendly employer, and most notably, by AARP this past September as the top employer nationwide for workers over 50.

Recognizing that it takes "more than a village" to "raise a child care center," Opperman thanked her staff who worked on the project; the staff in Planning, Design and Construction; Legal Counsel; Finance and Budget; Bright Horizons; and the Day Care and Child Development Council of Tompkins County; and local contractors and government officials for bringing their expertise to this project.

"This is a wonderful environment for small children," said David Lissy, as he pointed out four pictures created by the children and staff to commemorate the event and reflect the four seasons. Lissy is CEO of Bright Horizons, which operates the center and oversees its programming.

Noting that the center will help the university attract the best faculty and staff, Skorton said, "We will continue to explore other programs and services that will help us continue to be an inclusive and caring employer."

The event concluded with tours of the center and a celebration for parents and their children featuring the Family Reading Partnership's read-along songs with Cal Walker, Cornell's outreach liaison to the Ithaca City School District and Village at Ithaca executive director, and guitarist and educator John Simon.