Child and Family Center

Children of CSULB Faculty and Staff Are Eligible to Attend the Child and Family Center.

Mission Statement
The Child and Family Center located in the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences at CSULB, is an educational program which provides training of early childhood professionals in Child Development and Family Studies. The Center also provides quality childcare services for CSULB employees and their families. Promotion of educational resources to campus parents is an important component of the Center’s mission. The Center is tied to the mission statements of the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, the College of Health and Human Services, and the University of CSULB.

 

Philosophy Statement

The Child and Family Center is a nationally accredited educational program for children ages 2-5 years. The Center is designed to model the philosophy of Developmentally Appropriate Practices from the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Student Teachers are observers and participants in the daily program, which is designed to meet the developmental needs of young children in the areas of physical/motor, cognitive, language, and affective development.

The Center’s educational environment enhances the developmental skills that are age and individually appropriate for each child. A healthy and safe environment is the top priority of faculty, staff, and student teachers. The professional staff designs the program curriculum to be rich in interactive materials for the children in the program.

Toddler Classroom: A model student teacher training program serving toddlers ages 2 – 3 years. The program operates M - Th. 7:30-5:30, F 7:30–5, in the Family and Consumer Sciences Building.

Preschool Classroom: An exemplary student teacher training program serving preschoolers ages 3-5. The program operates year round M - Th. 7:30-5:30, F 7:30–5 in the Family Consumer Sciences Building.

Student Assistantships are available in both Toddler and Preschool Laboratories.

 

Nancy Ottinger, M.A., Center Director
nottinge@csulb.edu

Les Melton, M.A., Toddler Faculty Coordinator
lmelton@csulb.edu