Orfalea Family Children's Center

The Orfalea Family Children's Center, located on West Campus, and the University Children's Center, located in the Student Resource Building, provide child care for student, staff and faculty families within the University community. Community families are also welcome. The Centers are accredited by the National Academy of Early Childhood Programs and are licensed by the State Department of Social Services. Infant and toddler classrooms care for children ages 3 months to 3 years in small, intimate groups.

These classrooms provide children with primary caregivers and a gentle loving environment. Children 3 to 5 years of age are cared for in mixed-age classrooms. The relationships within the classroom community both with peers and teachers are valued. All classrooms offer a rich variety of spaces, materials and activities organized to promote children’s active exploration and allow for mastery in all realms of development: social, emotional, physical, cognitive and creative.

The goals of the program reflect an abiding sense of respect for all children, their unique cultures and individual development. Close ties with families are valued to ensure the best quality care possible. Parents are encouraged to be active in the program by serving on the Parent Council, spending time in their child’s classroom, attending parent education meetings, joining support groups and most of all, communicating on a regular basis with their child’s teacher. In addition, resource and referral services are available to all University families for individual family needs.