Flex Day (No Classes)
October 7, 2026

Veterans Holiday Weekend
November 7-9, 2026

Thanksgiving Weekend
November 26-29, 2026

Child Development Center

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the ages of the children served?
The Child Development Center enrolls approximately 32 children between the ages of 2-1/2 to 5 years old.

What are the program hours of operation and where is the Center located?
The Child Development Center is open Monday-Thursday from 8:00 am – 4:30PM, and Fridays from 8:00-12:30PM.
The Center is located in Building 33 on the north-east side of the campus of College of San Mateo, overlooking the Bay.

Is the Child Development Center open all year?
During the Fall and Spring semesters, the Center follows the College of San Mateo calendar and serves children on the days college classes are in session. During summer, the Center is open for the first six weeks of the College’s summer session..

Are meals offered?
Breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack are provided at no extra charge and meals meet all state and federal nutritional guidelines.

Are children required to be potty trained?
Children do not have to be toilet trained before enrolling. The staff views toilet learning as a shared process between the parent and child. When a child is ready, parents and teachers work in partnership to encourage and motivate the child to use the toilet instead of hurrying or pressuring which often leads to unnecessary power struggles.

Does the Child Development Center staff have training?
The coordinator has a master's degree in child Development and the master teachers have bachelor degrees. All staff, including the teachers and associate teachers, are fully credentialed by the California State Commission on Teacher Credentialing in accordance with the Child Development Permit Matrix. The goal of the program is to recruit and retain staff from ethnically, culturally, and linguistically diverse backgrounds to reflect the cultures and home languages of the children and families served.

What is the program philosophy?
The Child Development Center’s environment is designed to reflect the belief that children deserve to be surrounded by natural beauty, comfort, and meaningful relationships and that childhood is truly a time to be treasured. We believe family members are the most significant people in children’s lives and the staff strives to respect and support the diverse values of the families enrolled for the benefit of each child. Creating a family-centered place where there is a genuine sense of belonging and where original thinking and imaginative responses are encouraged means children become enthusiastic about their school experience at an early age and develop the disposition to become life-long learners.

What is the classroom curriculum?
The Center includes a rich stimulating classroom environment where a variety of age-appropriate learning experiences are offered. Recognizing that each child’s development has its own rhythm, the staff plans a curriculum that meets the individual needs of children, is developmentally appropriate and culturally responsive. In the children’s classrooms, engaging learning experiences in literacy, math, science, music, art, and dramatic play are offered to foster children’s social, emotional, intellectual, physical, and creative development. In addition, the Center’s spacious outdoor environment is rich in opportunities for learning through motor and sensory activities, nature study, and gardening.

How can parents participate in the program?
Families are an important part of our Center community, and we warmly welcome parents and extended family members to be involved in ways that feel meaningful to them. Families are invited to visit the Center anytime during the day—to share ideas and participate in planning and implementing classroom experiences, or simply to drop in, relax, and enjoy time with the children and staff. We encourage families to connect with campus and community resources and to help plan Center-wide events that bring children, families, and staff together. Throughout the year, parenting workshops may be offered on topics related to child development and parenting, providing families with helpful information and practical support. Parent support groups may also be available, offering a welcoming space for families to share experiences, discuss common concerns, and learn from and support one another. Together, we can create a strong, caring community where every family feels welcomed, valued, and connected.