Chickasaw Nation cuts ribbon on child development center

ARDMORE, Okla. (KXII)-- The Chickasaw Nation has opened a second child development center, this time in Ardmore.

The 26-thousand-square foot facility, located on Cottonwood Street, has 17 classrooms, a cafe and indoor and outdoor play areas.

Construction of the project began in 2014, following the opening of a child development center in Ada, in 2009. Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby says their integrative program, dubbed "Learnville U.S.A," focuses on developing social skills and literacy,. It also includes programs such as dance, martial arts and language- teaching everything from sign language, to Spanish...even the Chickasaw language.

"Education in early in life is really important," Chickasaw Governor Bill Anoatubby said. "It sets the stage for a child and their learning experience, and even their social development. So early childhood learning is really important to our people."

The center is fully operational, and open for enrollment. More than 200 children from 6-weeks to 4-years-old will be served.