Jason Koski/University Photography

Teacher Heather Conklin, right, at the Cornell Child Care Center welcomes 3-year-old Sophia to her 10th day as a preschooler, while dad, Cornell employee Kris Escalante, offers his encouragement.

Some Cornellians graduate at a very early age -- 3 years old, to be exact. Having recently celebrated her third birthday, Sophia has graduated from the toddler group at the Cornell Child Care Center and joined the preschool class in Room 3.

Now in its second week, the adjustment is going well, according to Sophia's dad, Kris Escalante. When she was in the toddler class, Sophia used to run to join her teacher and class, and now she holds back a little. To help Sophia adjust to the new, larger group, Escalante lingers a bit when he drops her off in the mornings.

Escalante and his wife, Yl Guanchez, are originally from Venezuela. They are delighted when Sophia switches automatically from the Spanish she is learning at home to the English from school. Said Escalante, a chef at Banfi's restaurant, "We were lucky we won the lottery for a spot at the center for our daughter because this is the best of the best in town. The caregivers and teachers have degrees in related fields and are very good with the children. Also, the amenities and activities are great."

Sophia's mom, a student, is often in class until 6 p.m. "For busy parents like us, the center's late hours give us the flexibility and convenience to plan our day," she says.

Cornell's Child Care Center, just off the Ithaca campus, serves children of Cornell faculty, staff members and students. It opened in fall 2008 and has space for 158 children (48 infants, 50 toddlers and 60 preschool children) ages 6 weeks to 5 years. The center is operated by Bright Horizons Family Solutions, founded by Linda Mason '76, which also runs centers in the United States, Europe and Canada.