A bilingual Gainesville day care center that aims to educate the children of low-income residents is looking to expand.

The day care, housed at Rescue 2000 church on Florence Drive, opened earlier this month, accepting 18 children from families who otherwise would not be able to afford day care services, said its founder Camille Vierra.

Now with a waiting list, the day care is waiting for approval from the city of Gainesville to expand its services to 80 children.

Vierra said the goal of the day care, which she calls Kids' Happy World, is to provide better opportunities for early childhood development for children, most of whom come from poor Hispanic families.

"It's not just a day care, we're teaching them," said Vierra, 42.

The alternative child care for these children, Vierra said, is going to spend the day with relatives, while their parents work.

"Some would be spending the day watching TV," she said.

At the Rescue 2000 day care, children get language lessons in English and Spanish, are taught early childhood basics like colors and shapes, and are given daily Bible studies.

There is also time for snacks, naps, art projects and recess.

Vierra said those services are critical for better preparing children for the skills needed to go to school and adapt to become contributing members of the community.

Vierra, an assistant minister at Rescue 2000 church, does not have a professional or educational background in early childhood education. However, she has recruited help in developing the day care's programs.

Nordys Guerrero, an occupational therapist who specializes in early childhood, coordinates lessons and activities at the day care.

Guerrero said the program is preparing students for schools in their community, while maintaining their Hispanic roots.

Guerrero said most of the children at the school only hear Spanish at home.

"What we want to teach them is to think in English and Spanish," Guerrero said.

For that reason, she said, Bible lessons at the day care alternate languages each day of the week.

Haydee Anderson, who runs the Hall County Spanish language newspaper Mexican Lindo, said a day care for low-income families is an asset to the community, as well as the children.

"I think it's important to have an affordable place for the kids," she said. "If they learn, then they will succeed. They won't become problem makers."

Anderson said because being multilingual is an increasingly important skill, the bilingual component to the day care is key.

"This is what the world has become," she said. "It's important that we work with everyone."

Kids' Happy World day care is funded through private donations that come from the Rescue 2000 church and community.

There is no cost to attend the school, but parents donate what they can toward supplies and the small stipend given to some teachers.

Most of those who run the day care are volunteers, however.

Final approval of the zoning requirements needed to expand is expected to come in January.

From there, Vierra said preparations are already under way to get more volunteers to help children already on the waiting list.