SUBSIDIZED EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PROGRAMS
The University of California, Berkeley Early Childhood Education Program (ECEP) has a limited number of subsidized early childhood education spaces for students who qualify for California Department of Education subsidies (free or sliding-scale). Students must also meet need eligibility requirements; see ECEP’s Application and Instructions for Subsidized Services for more information: - Application for Child Care.

FULL FEE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PROGRAMS
In addition to subsidized spaces, a number of full-fee slots have been reserved for student families. Early applications are advisable. Many families apply within a few months after their child's birth, or before they move to the area. Applications for infant spaces can be initiated during pregnancy, but you must contact our office after the birth to verify name, gender and birth date for the application to remain valid. Most children who are accepted will enroll at the start of the fall semester (mid-August). Limited spaces may become available throughout the year.

IF YOUR CHILD IS ACCEPTED, before your child enters the program, the following must be on file with the Early Childhood Education Program’s Office:

1. A completed confidential application
2. Current income verification (for subsidized care only)
3. Child's Medical Form (completed by a physician)
4. Training Verification form (for subsidized care only)
5. Proof of current UCB Registration (for subsidized care only)
6. Child's Birth Certificate (for subsidized care only)
7. Child’s Immunization Record

Your child's Medical Form, need not be submitted at the time of application, but will be required upon notification of acceptance to the program. You may want to schedule an appointment with your child's physician for completion of the medical form if you have not already done so.

ACCEPTANCE TO THE PROGRAM
Admission can be offered at any time, though most acceptance offers for student families occur between early June and August. Initial acceptances are made on the basis of information on your application, the age of your child, and the vacant spaces in each classroom. If you are applying for full-fee care, once we receive your application, you will be offered a tour of your potential site with the Center Director. You may be given all necessary paperwork as well as a contract at the time of the visit. If you are applying for subsidized care, once you have been notified of your tentative acceptance, you will be scheduled for an intake interview with the Admissions Coordinator to determine your eligibility. After you have been approved, you will be scheduled for a tour with the Center Director and you may receive all necessary paperwork as well as a contract at that time.

OPEN HOURS
Families are generally offered five full days of early childhood education services from 7:45 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. However, some rooms at ‘nine-month’ centers may have a shorter day (9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. for example).  And a very limited number of part-week (3-4 days/week) spaces may be available at specific centers.  The Admissions Coordinator will have current information.

WHAT IF YOU ARE NOT ACCEPTED?
There is a great demand for our services, particularly for infants and young toddlers, and unfortunately we are not able to serve all families who apply. If you are eligible for subsidized services, but are not accepted into the program due to space limitations, low priority number or late application, you will be placed on an Eligibility List and called when a vacancy in an age appropriate center occurs for which your child is eligible. Status on the Eligibility List is based on income and unlike a waiting list your status does not automatically improve over time.

All applications are reviewed according to State Eligibility Guidelines as they are submitted and the Eligibility List is updated accordingly. It is your responsibility to inform the Early Childhood Education Programs Office if there is a change in your income, family size, activity of either parent, or if you want your application withdrawn from the list.

Although the majority of new acceptances are for enrollment in the fall semester, any vacancies that occur during the year will be filled from the Wait List applicants. Enrollment is possible at any time, though most calls about fall acceptance for student families occur between early June and August

We do not maintain a list of referrals, but a couple of alternatives you may wish to look into are the Berkeley Unified Child Development Center 644-6203, Albany Children's Center 559-6590 and Bananas 658-0381 www.bananasinc.org.

UC Berkeley Early Childhood Education Program does not discriminate in its admission policies against any child because of race, gender, sex, sexual orientation, ancestry, national origin, religion, color or ethnic background. We serve within the limits of our professional abilities children with special needs (physical, linguistic, mental and/or emotional).

We ensure that all family records are kept confidential.

ABOUT OUR CENTERS
We have both year round (12-month) and academic year (9-month) classrooms.  Our programs that primarily serve student families operate on an academic calendar, including two classrooms at the Albany Village Center (for older toddlers and pre schoolers) and one classroom at the Clark Kerr Campus Center. See: http://www.housing.berkeley.edu/child/locations/.

All of our programs serve breakfast, lunch and an afternoon snack. Meals are prepared in accordance with the Child Care Food Program guidelines ensuring well-balanced meals. Though our program is not Certified Organic, we do our best to offer sustainable items including whole grains and as many organic and natural options as possible such as organic milk, cheese, eggs and healthy seasonal fruits and vegetables. Menus are posted at each center so parents can see what's good to eat.

OUR PHILOSOPHY
Our centers strive to provide a warm, challenging environment that attends to the emotional, physical, and educational growth of each child. To this end, we provide an atmosphere of respect for the individual child, in a warm, safe and clean supervised environment. Developing a sense of trust and well being, while encouraging each child's natural curiosity and desire to learn, is achieved through a variety of enjoyable and interesting age appropriate activities.

The ECEP follows a developmental play based curriculum model which incorporates both teacher-initiated and child-initiated activities as well as small/large group activities. We feel that a child-centered program is most appropriate for children in our infant, toddler and preschool programs. Our classrooms provide rich learning environments with age-appropriate yet challenging play equipment and materials, learning centers that encourage exploration and discovery, discussion and child and adult interaction.

Teachers plan activities based on children’s interests and our goals for their learning of content and skills. These activities center on physical, social, cognitive and emotional stages of development (including kindergarten readiness skills for the children to help them as they prepare for kindergarten in the public schools).

TEACHING STAFF
ECEP staffs classrooms according to ‘best practice’ standards and Title V licensing. Adult-child ratios at the centers range between 1:3 and 1:8 for infant through preschool rooms. Student Assistants often supplement staffing to provide additional care. Our teachers have a Child Development Teacher permit or higher, and an AA degree or higher. Many of the teachers have a BA or MA in addition to the permit. Teacher Assistants have at least 12 ECE units and have, or are working toward, a permit. Student assistants are enrolled at UC Berkeley and have prior experience working with children. They receive on-the-job training throughout the year.

PARENTS
Parents are encouraged to volunteer in the centers in a variety of roles. They assist in classroom activities, walks and field trips, often one hour each week, or may serve on the Parent Advisory Committee.

RESEARCH
Our programs incorporate a research component which may or may not apply to your child’s classroom. If you are asked to have your child involved in any research activities, you will be notified ahead of time and you may choose to be involved. Qualified substitute teachers accompany the researcher and the child while they are involved in a research activity, typically described as ‘playing a game’. Informal observations of classrooms by Early Childhood, Psychology, Sociology or Education students or University representatives may occur at any time without parent notification.

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