The Center is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and is partially funded by the State of California Child Development Department - Child Development Division.  In addition, the nutrition program is partially underwritten by both State and US Department of Agriculture.

Please see the following link for a video clip on NAEYC Accreditation:

http://www.youtube.com/user/naeycvideos#p/a/f/0/Ge30ELAtQes

PHILOSOPHY

This preschool experience provides the child with a variety of educational and creative material to stimulate both learning and social interaction while allowing for individual differences, encouraging exploration and providing opportunities to make choices.  The primary focus of the program is to promote feelings of competence and self worth which will serve as a strong foundation for future growth.

MISSION STATEMENT

College of the Canyons Center for Early Childhood Education is committed to providing quality care and education for infants, toddlers and preschool children; modeling an exemplary developmentally appropriate and culturally sensitive learning/lab environment for Parents and Early Childhood Education students.

STAFF

The Directors and Master Teachers at the center are all Early Childhood Education certificated professionals, with many years experience in the Child Development field.  Master Teachers, teamed with Associate Teachers or Assistants, are responsible for evaluating the children and planning and implementing appropriate curriculum.  They are dedicated to providing an enriching, safe and nurturing environment for the children.

PROGRAM OPTIONS AND HOURS OF OPERATION

The centers (Valencia and Canyon Country) offers a 10-month program and observes all campus holidays, as well as winter & spring breaks.  Please consult the center's school calendar for specific dates.  For more information or to view our current fee schedule please click on program options.

ENROLLMENT INFORMATION

The center is available to students, faculty, and staff of College of the Canyons, as well as the community of Santa Clarita.

Registration occurs throughout the year as vacancies are identified, our main registration cycle is held during the Fall Semester (August).  All families wishing to enroll into the Center must fill out an Enrollment Application in order to be placed on the waiting list.  Applications are kept on file for one year and must be renewed every January.

To assist students with fees, several grants have been acquired from the state and through campus funding.  The following is the order of wait list priorities adopted by the Center Advisory Committee in November, 2004 and replaces all previous procedures:

• Financially qualified (Student*/Non-Student) Status: qualified per California Department of Education Child Development Division Funding Terms and Conditions

• Sibling Status: Continuous enrollment of a family carries the same priority number as the first child.  A break in enrollment puts application on wait list by date stamp (a new priority number).

• Student*/Staff/Faculty Status:

• Community Status:

*Student – must be enrolled in at least 6 units

A separate waiting list is maintained for families eligible for any of our State of California funded grant programs (i.e. State Preschool Expansion - Half day, Full-day Preschool or General Childcare).  For additional information regarding our State Funded programs, contact Gloria Lopez at 661/362-3531.

FOR CENTER INFORMATION:

Monica Marshall                                                                                                            Director, Preschool Program                                                                                                (661) 362-3556

Wendy Ruiz                                                                                                                    Director, Infant/Toddler Programs                                                                                        (661) 362-3510

Laurie Balfour                                                                                                                    Administrative Assistant                                                                                                    (661) 362-3501

FOR WAITING LIST OR ENROLLMENT INFORMATION CONTACT:

Gloria Lopez                                                                                                                        Enrollment Technician                                                                                                            (661) 362-3531