Preschool / Daycare Center in Los Angeles County

Child Educational Center (CEC), La Canada:
The Child Educational Center (CEC) is located in La Canada, between Pasadena and Glendale in Los Angeles County, CA and offers infant, preschool and school-age child care programs for children from 2 months to 12 years La Canada, Glendale, La Crescenta, Pasadena, Altadena and neighbouring communities. Enrollment is open to any child 2 months to 5 years of age for our infant / toddler and preschool program and any child entering kindergarten through 6th grade for our school-age program without discrimination in regard to sex, race, color, or creed. The most important part of our curriculum is people. As a result, optimal matches are important. Factors considered in this process include: age, characteristics of development, balance of boys/girls in groups, special needs, adequate clustering of minority children.

Infants / Toddlers Program:
For infants and toddlers, the program focuses on four areas:

1. self-esteem and personal awareness;
2. communication skills;
3. social skills; and
4. physical development.

- Self-awareness and positive self concept are fostered by the caregivers through close personal contact, communication with positive reinforcement, permitting freedom of activity, and respect for the child as an individual.

- Communication skills are fostered through thoughtful speaking with the children during routine tasks and in stories, music, and the description of activities occurring in their presence.

- Social development is largely a function of the babies' interaction with adults, however, their development is enhanced through physical contact, interaction in play, and structured group activities.

- Physical development is the foundation upon which cognitive development is based. Responsive adults provide the most significant experience, but the environment and physical activities are structured to maximize development. Infants are supported and encouraged in their natural inclination for independent physical activity.

While the developmental issues for infants and toddlers are similar, certain differences are addressed in the toddler program. Toddlers are more mobile, more capable, and experiencing significant language development. Their program features a more challenging yard, with climbing structures and opportunities to take walks around the school. Group activities are begun featuring singing, playing musical instruments, playing movement games, and hearing stories. Because toddlers' attention spans are short and rapidly shifting, the program is highly flexible and individualized.

Preschool Program:
Children are placed in groups based on the following considerations:

* development (emotional, social, cognitive, physical),
* chronological age,
* peer relations, and
* available space.

Children generally remain with the same group until the following September, unless developmental considerations warrant other placement. The daily schedule provides for activities specifically geared to the similar developmental level of children in each classroom, as well as opportunities for children of different ages and developmental levels to interact, teach and learn from one another.

Three Year Olds Program:
Three-year-olds experience considerable focus on social development. Cooperative play blossoms and activities are structured to facilitate this.

Emotional development occurs more often now within the context of group interaction. Staff facilitate the children's development of ability to resolve their own conflicts with an emphasis on positive, non-violent methods for resolution. In this context, communication skills become a primary focus.

Physical development reflects a greater capacity for endurance and refined fine motor development. Walks and group games are emphasized. More sophisticated fine motor activities are stressed.

Cognitive development focuses on integrating simpler concepts into groups and coming to understand relationships, thus learning activities are focused in that way.

Four Year Olds Program:
Four and five year olds are dynamic and on the move - ready and interested to learn more about their world and how they as individuals fit into it. Therefore, curriculum for these children must be exciting and challenging, as well as supportive of each child's own learning style. Children are participants in the learning process, and encouraged to share their interests and ideas. Teachers are able to adapt the curriculum in order to take into account the children's expanding knowledge, interests and abilities.

Some children are ready to read or write during this year, others are not. The teachers provide an environment which is rich in both spoken and written words, allowing children to experience, view, copy, practice and conceptualize written/oral language. Through observation and interaction, teachers are able to bring in new concepts and initiate or extend activities in order to insure that developmental progress is being adequately challenged for each child at his or her own unique level.

Open shelving in the rooms allows for easy access to toys, materials and books, enabling children to initiate and expand activities. Defined areas for blocks, manipulative toys, artistic expression, dramatic play, reading and quiet play areas are found in each room, in addition to larger spaces for group activities and the expansion of various types of play. Opportunities exist for children be involved in large or small group activities or to play alone in a cozy place.

School-Age Program:
We began our School-Age program in 1990. An important quality of the program is the extended family atmosphere that exists for children both before-and after-school. Each child receives individual attention in the relaxed but active environment, with attention given to social needs as well as homework. Children in the School-Age program have the need to relax both before and after their busy day at school, complete assigned school projects with teacher assistance and pursue other activities of interest to them. The environment is designed to reflect the interests and capabilities of 5-12 year olds.

The School-Age program is designed to provide children time to play outdoors, interact with friends, explore creative arts, play games, work puzzles, and construct with various manipulative toys and blocks. In addition, the CEC staff recognizes that children need dedicated space, time and support for their daily homework assignments, and every effort will be made to insure that they receive these.

Goals for the children include:
* To help children learn to live a successful life with love at the center of all experience.
* To provide a program that allows children to develop in the areas of social, emotional cognitive and physical growth.
* To develop a positive self concept through social interactions that involve cooperation, conflict resolution and relationship building.

Locations:
Our School-Age program is at five sites with each site serving kindergartners through sixth graders. Our Oak Grove and the Caltech sites only provide after-school care, beginning at 11:30 am, while our other three La Canada sites begin providing care beginning at 7:00 am.

* The Oak Grove Site (140 Foothill Boulevard, La Canada) *
* The Caltech Site (250 and 256 South Michigan, Pasadena) *
* Paradise Canyon Elementary School (471 Knight Way, La Canada)
* La Canada Elementary School (4540 Encinas Drive, La Canada)
* Palm Crest Elementary School (5025 Palm Drive, La Canada)

Before and Afterschool Care Program:
We offer before-and after-school care for children in kindergarten through sixth grade at five different locations from September through mid June. Our Oak Grove and Caltech sites only provide after school care, beginning at 11:30 am, while our other three La Canada sites (located at each of the three elementary schools) begin providing care at 7:00 am. In addition, we offer full day programs during Winter and Spring breaks and for selected school closure days. We also have a ten-week Summer Camp program for children that begins in mid-June.

Summer Camp Program:
* Our Caltech site (250 & 256 Michigan, Pasadena) and
* Oak Grove site (140 Foothill Boulevard, La Canada).

Both locations serve children entering 1st through 7th grade. Families may apply for the full summer or for weekly sessions. The hours of operation are 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., with the following schedules offered:

* 5 days a week,
* 3 days a week - Mon, Wed, Fri,
* 2 days a week - Tues, Thurs

This Camp is designed to be relaxing, recreational and tailored for the interests of school-age children. Our curriculum features a rich range of daily activities, long-term projects, special events, field trips and a unique science component that are stimulating and discovery-oriented. Please see our brochure above for a detailed list of clubs and fields trips.