The West Valley College Child Development Center Lab School (CDC) is a 50-year-old early childhood program dedicated to supporting the needs of children and families of West Valley College students, staff/faculty and the larger surrounding community.
The non-profit, on-campus CDC fosters an environment of respect and understanding that supports the development of the whole child. This is accomplished through low adult-child rations, highly educated teachers and a focus on diversity.
Additionally, this program is part of the Child Studies Department and the CDC serves as its lab school and is uniquely involved in the academic life of the college by serving as a research-based teacher training and observation site for students and parents.
Mission Statement
The mission of the West Valley College Child Development Center is to provide an exemplary laboratory for teacher training. It will demonstrate best practices for optimum child development and learning, using a play-based, emerging curriculum and outdoor classroom model.
The center's enrollment procedure follows the steps outlined below. The timeline from application to enrollment will vary depending on whether there are immediate openings or if a waitlist currently exists. Children do not need to be toilet learned in order to attend the toddler program.
The Child Development Center embodies the mission of West Valley College by:
- Proactively addressing the achievement gap by providing children with high-quality early education while enabling their parents to earn a college education, seek employment, or participate in further work-related training. Many parents are first generation college students seeking to create a better life for their families.
- Nurturing lasting relationships among children, students, departments and the greater community by its presence on campus.
Complete an application and return it to the CDC with a $50 application fee. Instructions are on the bottom of the application.
Students at West Valley College who have children and qualify for subsidized child care tuition are given priority into the CDC programs. Qualification is based on household income and documented enrollment at WVC.
All enrollment paperwork, subsidy documentation, immunizations and physician reports must be completed before entry into the program.
All families (child and parent/guardian) must tour the facility before enrollment. This is an opportunity to meet the Master Teachers and become familiar with the classroom.
Group tours are offered once a month to the community at 9:00 AM. Please email Program%20Director%20Anne%20Horgan for scheduled tour dates and/or if you plan to attend a group tour.
West Valley College students, staff and faculty may schedule a tour with the Program Director during regular campus hours.
Documents
Contact the Program Director for more information: Anne.Horgan@westvalley.edu