Food and Nutrition

Nutrition education is an important part of the Center's philosophy. The Center offers morning snack, lunch and an afternoon snack daily according to The State Department of Education, Bureau of Child Nutrition Services guidelines. The bureau provides partial funding for the food program.

The Center's menus are set up on a 3 week cycle basis.

Parent Involvement

The student parents' relationship to the Center is viewed as an integral part of the program as working with young pre-school children defines a greater need for a closer relationship between home and school. Goals for a parent-center relationship are: "to create a bridge between the child's home and school life, to support parents in the role of parenthood and to strengthen parent support of children's growth and learning" (California Child Development Association, 1976).

Parent Participation:

The Center encourages each family to participate in the program 10 hours per quarter. It is recommended that parent participation be accomplished through serving as a teacher's aide; if this is not possible, there are take-home projects, Saturday work days, fund raising activities, etc. The program tries to utilize parents' unique interest and skills to fulfill this requirement.

Parent Education:

The Center encourages each family to participate in the parent education and training program. Parent education activities are designed to support and enhance the parents' role in the education and development of their children.