CTE Orfalea Child Development Brochure - Ventura College

Our MissionSET YOUR COURSEWe are committed to providing the highest qualitypreschool education and child care program forthe college student, staff and community familieswe serve. In addition, the Center serves as a modeland learning laboratory for students in the VenturaCONTACT:Robin DouglasChild Development Supervisor M.S.College Child Development instructional programwho are preparing for careers in the field of earlychildhood education.Our PhilosophyWe believe in the importance of active hands-onlearning both inside and outside for all children.We understand that the preschool years are acritical time in a child’s development. In orderto nurture the whole child and provide for theirphysical, social, emotional and cognitive growth,we provide a rich environment with a widevariety of stimulating activities both indoors andoutdoors. We recognize that each child is a uniqueindividual, growing and developing according tohis or her own internal timetable. We believe inthe importance of providing a positive first schoolexperience to set the stage for a lifelong love oflearning. We celebrate the diversity of the familieswe serve and the community in which we live.rdouglas@vcccd.edu805.289.6144Jennifer Parker805.289.6272Ventura College4667 Telegraph RoadOrfaleaChild DevelopmentCenterCHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTERAt Ventura College, quality child care is always anoption. The Center offers full and part time preschooland child care programs for children ages 2 through 5,7:45am – 4:30pm, Monday through Friday during theregular school year.The Orfalea Child Development Center is convenientlylocated on campus at the corner of Telegraph Roadand West Campus Way. Developmental toddler andpreschool programs provide active, hands-on learningopportunities and help children develop the skills theyneed to be successful in kindergarten and beyond.The Center serves College student, faculty and staffVentura, CA 93003805.289.6000families as well as families from the community. Anew waiting list begins each semester as the VenturaCollege campus schedule comes out. Spaces fillwww.venturacollege.eduquickly, so you are encouraged to get on the waitinglist as soon as possible.Children learn as they play.Most importantly, in playchildren learn how to learn.~ O. Fred Donaldson

As a Laboratory PreschoolFrequently Asked QuestionsPreschool : 2 – 5 yearsThe Center affords the opportunity to have direct, handsonexperience in working with children of preschoolage allowing the practicum students to integrateknowledge with experience. As a conveniently locatedsite for observations, the Center plays a critical role inthe Ventura College Child Development instructionalprogram. It is a valuable asset not only to the facultywho are charged with carrying forward the college’svital instructional mission, but also to the students whoare studying to become early childhood professionals,as well as to the children in the community who willbenefit from the training that these students receive.The Child Development Program prepares students forexcellent career opportunities that are in demand suchas being a Teacher, Assistant Teacher, or Site Supervisor.Why is the Center named Orfalea?Our program is named “Orfalea Child DevelopmentCenter” in honor of Kinko’s founder Paul Orfaleaand his wife Natalie, who made a generous financialendowment to the Center. We continue to associatewith the Orfalea Foundation and network with otherprograms endowed by the foundation.Do you have to be a VC student to enroll your child?No. Ventura College students have priority forenrollment but children of faculty, staff andcommunity members are welcome as space allows.What are the Center’s adult to child ratios?An adult to child ratio of 1:6 is maintained in our2-year-old classroom, with a maximum group size of18 children.Does my child have to be toilet trained in order to attend?No. Toileting assistance is available in our classrooms.Who works at the Child Development Center?The Center is staffed with both professional earlychildhood teachers and student instructional aides. Thepermanent staff members serve as lead teachers in theearly childhood classrooms and mentors to studentscompleting fieldwork; they hold Child DevelopmentCenter Permits issued by the California Department ofEducation or have completed equivalent coursework.Child Development majors at Ventura College whohave completed core coursework work as instructionalaides in our classrooms. All paid staff working at theCenter must pass background checks conducted bythe California Department of Justice and the FederalBureau of Investigation before working in our Center.Part Time FeesVC Student $5.75 per hour-preschooler$6.45 per hour-toddler*Staff/Comm. $6.25 per hour-preschooler$6.90 per hour-toddler*Full Time FeesVC Student $695 per month-preschooler$775 per month-toddler*Staff/Comm. $800 per month-preschooler$875 per month-toddler*Family Co-op Fees $5.75 per hourTo qualify for Ventura College student rates, aparent must be enrolled in at least 6 units duringthe current semester.*A child is considered a toddler until they are 3 yearsold, fully toilet trained and enrolled in a classroomIn our traditional classrooms for 3’s , 4’s and young 5’s,an adult to child ratio of 1:10 with a maximum groupsize of 20 is maintained.In our family co-op program, an adult to child ratio of1:5 with a maximum group size of 20 is maintained.What is the family co-op program?The family co-op is a preschool program for 3, 4, and5-year-olds where adult family members (parents,Do children have to attend full time?A flexible scheduling policy meets the varying needsof families. Children may attend the Center from 2 to5 days a week. Children need to attend a minimum ofthree hours per day – for children who attend in themorning, those three hours are 8:30 – 11:30. Beyond thethree- hour minimum, families may set their scheduleby quarter hour increments. Schedules may be adjustedeach month as space in the classroom allows.with a 10:1 ratio.Hours of OperationMonday – Friday7:45 am – 4:30 pmCalifornia Department of Social Services Licenses#561711563 and 561711564grandparents, and aunts and uncles) help in theclassroom under the supervision of professionalprogram staff, creating a warm family atmosphereand an exceptionally low adult-to-child ratio.How do I enroll my child?Call (805) 289-6030 to set up an appointment withthe director.