A local day-care center has expanded to a new location that may make it easier for parents to deliver their kids to the center - the city's old post office facilities.

TLC For Kids, 321 S. Main, was originally in the home of directors Calvin and Linda Bird, 343 S. Main, but the center's growth was just too much for the house.According to Calvin, the center has grown dramatically - from taking in 24 children to having licensing and capabilities to handle 125 children between the ages of six weeks and 10 years - in just four years.

"It's really been amazing that we've been able to get as much space as we need each time we bring in more kids."

Bird said he and his wife had considered buying the post office for more than a year but weren't sure they would have enough children to fill the building or have sufficient resources to purchase the building.

Fortunately, one of the center's employees bought one of TLC's earlier sites, and her father provided financing for the Birds to buy the old post office, he said.

"It's really worked out well. We have a wonderful new building in which we can put some of our older kids."

With the approximately 3,700 square feet of space in the post office's upstairs area, the center now has more than 8,000 square feet of space for classrooms, play areas, kitchen space and dining areas for children, Bird said.

"We still use the apartment that was built onto our house for our infants, and the four-car garage space behind our house for our 2-year-olds and some of our 3-year-olds."

The center could possibly turn the 3,700-square foot downstairs area into play areas for inclement weather days, he said. "There's just so much room now, and we don't know what to do with it all."

For example, the area in the post office that contained a vault has now been turned into play area, including painted-on windows, he said.

"The kids just really love it and all the areas in the new building. It's really lovely, especially all the brass antique fittings."

The couple is still remodeling the expansive post office facilities and have discovered some fascinating things about the building, he said.

"We found out at the time the post office was built (1941) that my uncle, Emmett Bird, was the postmaster. It's really kind of strange that things have worked out this way. I never even knew he worked for the post office."

Also, the building has been placed on both the Utah State Registry of Historic Sites, as well as the National Historic Sites Registry, and has been remodeled to its earlier state (including removing any health hazards, such as asbestos), Bird said.

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The center has 17 employees, including the Birds, and has three accredited teachers for preschool classes. Currently, TLC is registering students for its upcoming fall classes, which begin in September.

Bird said the center participates in the school lunch program - serving breakfast, lunch and snacks - and has a shuttle service for students and children whose parents are unable to take them to Springville.

"We've got a van that we use to take the students to and from the center every day."

For information or registration call 489-3020.

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