West Virginia University of Parkersburg is receiving nearly $48,000 in federal funding for its Early Learning Center which provides child care services on campus.

Thursday Senators Jay Rockefeller and Carte Goodwin along with Congressman Alan Mollohan announced the funding which has been awarded through the U.S. Department of Education's Child Care Program.

WVU-P spokesperson Connie Dziagwa said that the grant will help low income parents take advantage of the child care center while they pursue college degrees and it will help keep their costs down.

Some parents said they're grateful for the services.

"I wanted him (her son) to be able to be where i was so if anything happened i was close," said Jennifer Tansey, a WVU-P student and parent.

Sarah Stephens, a WVU-P student and parent said "I would describe the Early Learning Center here as a gateway to opportunity for our students with children and a gateway to success."

Dziagwa said as enrollment continues to expand, so has the need for child care services.

Currently there are plans to build a stand alone center on campus however this grant is not for that purpose.