Child Development Center Mission

The mission of the Child Development Center is to ensure that no student parent is denied access to higher education due to a lack of affordable childcare. The operation of the Center depends on integrating support from ASI, the California Department of Education, CSULB Division of Student Services, the university, CDC parents, and the Long Beach community.

Child Development Center History

The Child Development Center is located at the northwest corner of the campus at 5700 E. Atherton Street. Facilities include the central office, three separate children centers and parking nestled on two acres with grassy hills, ninety-one trees, a children’s garden, play villages, chickens, rabbits and lots of sand, water and wide open space. Each children’s facility was designed from a child’s perspective and developmental level by renowned architect Frank Sata, a recognized expert in the design of children's facilities.

The original facility was completed in 1975 and was made possible by the generous donation of Isabel Patterson, a former Long Beach teacher and CSULB alumna. It houses the preschool program, kitchen, and teachers' offices in the area. In 1986, a school-age facility and central office building were added. Referred to as the “Dome”, the school-age facility is indeed a geodesic dome offering space on both the first floor and a loft. The central office building houses a customer service counter, administrative staff, and the office of the Center's Director and Associate Director. The latest addition to the Center was the Infant Toddler Center, completed in 1994.

All facilities are regularly inspected and licensed by the California Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division. Licensed capacities for each facility are as follows:

• Infants/Toddlers (6 mos-3yrs): 28 full-time equivalents
• Preschoolers (2-1/2 - 5 years): 100 full-time equivalents
• School-age (over 5): 40 full-time equivalents