The Center's philosophy is based on the values and beliefs as to what constitutes a quality child development program. A quality child development program provides a safe, healthy and nurturing environment that facilitates the physical-motor, social-emotional, intellectual and language development of young children and responds to the needs of the student families served.
Teachers utilize child development theory and practice to identify the range of appropriate behaviors, activities and materials for infant-toddlers and preschool aged children. The teachers plan with understanding about individual children's growth patterns, interest and experiences to design a quality age and developmental appropriate learning environment.
Children must be provided with an atmosphere that fosters each child's' self-esteem which permeates all areas of development. This includes promoting a sense of belonging and love; and promoting a sense of accomplishment and achievement ("I can do it"). Both of these help to set a tone of being "winners".
Children learn by doing. Play is the vehicle by which children progress along the developmental continuum from the sensory-motor intelligence of infancy to preoperational thought in the preschool years. Therefore, child initiated, child directed, teacher supported play is an essential component of developmentally appropriate practice. Teachers are observant of and responsive to what children's interests are. Teachers are viewed as facilitators, resource persons, or guides. The teacher prepares the learning environment so that it provides stimulating and challenging materials and activities for the children. Then the teacher closely observes what the children understand then pose additional challenges to progress their development to the next stage.
The age and developmental needs of toddlers and preschoolers translates into program goals for curriculum development. The infant-toddler environment encourages children to learn to feel safe and secure, to develop close, trusting relationships with caregivers, to seek and enjoy new experiences, and to explore being with other children. For the older preschool child, the learning environment provides greater emphasis in skill development.
The CSUB Children’s Center opened in September, 1976, after a group of students raised $4,500 to start the program. The Center began with fourteen children, one classroom, one director-teacher and ten part-time student aides. From 1976-1986, the Children’s Center grew from one to three classrooms, serving ninety children with three full-time teachers and fifteen student aides. In 1986, the Center became the first child care and development program in Kern County to receive accreditation through the National Academy of Early Childhood Programs. Also in 1986, the Center’s Parent Advisory Committee developed a ten-year plan that included a larger playground area.
The Center grew again when the CSUB Foundation Board approved a loan (with $20,000 of the Center’s fundraising monies as down payment) to finance construction of the fourth classroom. By 1992, the Center had outgrown it’s existing structures and the Foundation Board approved another loan to build the fifth classroom, which replaced a leased mobile unit. Both loans are now paid in full. To accommodate the growing number of children, the kitchen/bathroom facility was built in 1995, completing the Parent Advisory Committee’s ten-year plan.
To celebrate the Children’s Center 20th anniversary, a Parent Alumni Committee was established with a goal to raise money for outdoor play equipment. During the 1996/97 academic school year, they successfully raised $31,000 and the much anticipated outdoor playground became a reality.
In recent years, eighteen trees were planted to shade the new playground equipment. Also, during this period, the Center received five “Instructional Materials and Supplies” grants which has considerably enhanced the curriculum for the children. The Center received its fourth national accreditation in Spring quarter, 2000 and very successfully met the high standards for quality child development services. The Center’s enrollment has mirrored the University’s growth, with over 150 children enrolled annually. Lastly, the Center is currently planning for a new access and entrance area, in order to offer safe access within the revised University traffic patterns.