MOMS Club's fair focuses on area child care

For many mothers, choosing to leave their children with someone else can be stressful.

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"Especially those who have decided to stay at home, it is almost an even harder decision," said Joy Kay Bell, the president of the MOMS Club of Evans, the local chapter of MOMS Club International.

Club members are hoping to make that decision a little easier with the 2009 Preschool/Mother's Morning Out Fair from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday at Patriots Park Gym, featuring representatives from area preschools, day cares and mother's morning out programs.

Having all the information in one place is convenient for parents, who usually must call and visit numerous facilities looking for the right fit, Bell said.

"There are so many things available in the Augusta area," Bell said. "We thought, 'Well, let's put them all in one spot. Maybe we can narrow it down a little bit better.' "

Bell said at least 10 agencies have confirmed participation in the event, including A Child's World on Belair Road, Augusta Christian Schools, First Baptist Church of Augusta, Grace Baptist Church, Hayden's Gym, the Montessori School of Augusta, Open Door Preschool Inc., Oxford Learning Center, St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church and Westminster Schools of Augusta.

Columbia County Board of Education representatives also will be on hand to provide information about the pre-K program.

"I think it will at least narrow your options and show you some things maybe you didn't know were out there before," Bell said.

The event is free. Children are welcome and the club will provide a play area.

The MOMS Club of Evans is a nonprofit organization that organizes weekly age-specific play dates and offers a monthly calendar of events, a monthly Mom's Night Out and several community service projects benefiting children.

For information, e-mail Evans_moms@yahoo.com.