The Children’s Center in Albert Lea has started a new preschool after having a waiting list last year.

Executive Director Kim Nelson said even with other preschools in the area that the center was still seeing a need for more preschool spots.

“Our mission really deals with serving the community,” Nelson said. “We needed to do something within our means; we’re not building a new building but we do have some space to use.”

The Children’s Center already offers preschool in its Preschool Plus program, that also includes all-day child care. The new program is called Preschool Planet and does not offer child care.

“They will still be a part of any center activities like field trips and the Christmas program,” Nelson said.

Preschool Planet will have two classrooms. One will be for children who are age 4 by Sept. 1, and it will run from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday. It will cost $150 per month. The second classroom will be for children age 3 or 4 by Sept. 1, and it will run from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday and Thursday. It will cost $100 per month.

“I’m excited about this,” Nelson said. “We have tangible information that says more people want to come here but if people don’t use it then we’ll reevaluate.”

Nelson said the center’s other goals are to make a survey asking if later hours into the evening would benefit families. Another goal would be to someday be able to provide special education care and learning for children.