Lauren Osting says she always wanted to be a teacher – and open her own day care center.

As new director of the Bluffton Child Development Center, Osting says she has the best of both worlds.

Osting of Elida assumed the BCDC director position on Aug. 1, following the retirement of Mary Painter.

She graduated from the University of Toledo with a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and is certified to teach pre-kindergarten to third grade.

Prior to assuming her Bluffton position she taught at Allen County Head Start and was a pre-kindergarten teacher in the Owens Community College preschool, Findlay.

Bluffton Child Development Center has 102 students enrolled from ages 6 weeks to 12-year-olds. It has 15 full-time and four part-time employees. Rev. Dr. Matthew Zuehlke, pastor of Bluffton Presbyterian Church, chairs the BCDC board.

Osting says that there are openings in the 3-year-old class and a waiting list for infants to toddlers and school age youth.

“One additional open we have at the Center is the need for a sponsor for our 3-year-old classroom,” said Osting. “For $500 a business, group, individual or organization can become sponsor for the classroom. During the school year the sponsorship provides the room with supplies.”

Osting and her husband, John, have two children, Sophia, 3, and Carder 1.