The Children’s Services of Central Iowa is preparing for a week-long birthday party.

The CSCI is celebrating its 25th anniversary and the organization has scheduled commensuratory activities for the last week of September. The CSCI is a nonprofit agency based in Ames. The program began as a cooperative in 1970 to meet the needs of families of ISU students.

Third-year CSCI board member Nancy Knight said the program has evolved into an umbrella agency that oversees five day-care sites and the Sunrise Preschool Program, an at-risk preschool.

ÿÿKnight said the CSCI also oversees the Child and Adult Care Food Program and the Ride Rite program, which provides low-cost rentals of infant and toddler car seats.

Constance Hadden, executive director of the CSCI, said the organization grew as more women started going out into the work force, heightening the demand for child care.

“As the organization has become more professional, regulations have changed, requiring the day-care professionals to have more training,” Hadden said.

She explained that the requirements for child-care professionals now involve certification in CPR and first aid.

Stricter requirements now also regulate the sanitation of day-care facilities.

“All of these requirements and guidelines are part of the CSCI’s effort to provide more quality child-care choices,” Hadden explained.

Hadden said there are also more locations to make the child-care services easily accessible.

She said employer-sponsored child care, such as the Iowa Department of Transportation’s Children’s Community, is growing in popularity.

An open house will be held 6-8 p.m. on Sept. 26 and 28. The open house will be held at all six of the day-care locations which include: Arbor Hills Children’s Center, DOT Children’s Community, Nevada School Age Children’s Center, Ninth Street Children’s Center, Ontario Children’s Center and the Sunrise Preschool Program at Wilson Beardshear School.

Knight said the public is welcome to stop by any facility and enjoy refreshments.

A family activity night is scheduled for 6:30-8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 27 at the Ames Public Library Auditorium. Many activities will be free.

The culmination of the 25th anniversary celebration week will be an ice cream social at Brookside Park for families, friends, staff and anyone interested.

The social will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. at the shelter nearest the fire engine.