Our Mission
The Occidental College Child Development Center is committed to helping children build a foundation for a successful future and fostering individuals who become socially responsible members of society. We are a nurturing, child-centered, and collaborative community that empowers children and families. We support the development of the whole child and strive to inspire a life-long love of learning. Through providing an environment and experiences that are intentional and responsive, children learn through playful exploration, interactions with others, and a balance of structure and choice.
General Info
Hours of operation, meals we serve and typical daily schedule.
Classrooms
Hungry Caterpillars, Busy Bees, Terrific Tigers, oh my!
Our Staff
Meet the wonderful individuals who will help your child grow.
General Info
The Center
The Occidental College Child Development Center is located on the campus of Occidental College. The Center serves families of Occidental employees, as well as families from the adjacent community. We are licensed to serve 45 children from 2-5 years of age.
Hours
The Center operates Monday through Friday, from 8:00am until 5:30pm. We are open 12 months, closing for Winter and Summer breaks, as well as Holidays, Staff In-service and Conference days.
Meals
Morning snack, lunch, and afternoon snack are served daily, and provide a variety of healthful foods. Lunch is provided by Occidental College’s Dining Facility.
Our Day
We provide a balance of active and quiet activities, as well as a balance of individual, small group, and large group play experiences. We also strive to provide children with the ideal balance of structure and freedom/choice. Children have the opportunity to play in a multi-age group in the afternoons when groups combine for playtime. We try to minimize transitions and provide opportunities for building independence/self-help skills through daily activities, such as toileting, hand washing, and meal/snack time. Story times and singing are interspersed throughout the day. Although each group follows a slightly different schedule, the schedule below represents the overall structure of a typical day.
8:00-9:00am | Arrival & Outdoor Play/Activities |
9:00-9:30am | Movement & Group Time |
9:25-10:30am | Indoor Activities & Organized Free Play |
10:30-11:30am | Outdoor Activities & Organized Free Play |
11:30am-12:30pm | Lunchtime |
12:30-2:30pm | Naptime |
2:30-3:00pm | Afternoon Snack |
3:00-5:30pm | Outdoor Activities & Organized Free Play |
8:00-9:00am | Arrival & Outdoor Play/Activities |
9:00-9:30am | Movement & Group Time |
9:25-10:30am | Indoor Activities & Organized Free Play |
10:30-11:30am | Outdoor Activities & Organized Free Play |
11:30am-12:30pm | Lunchtime |
12:30-2:30pm | Naptime |
2:30-3:00pm | Afternoon Snack |
3:00-5:30pm | Outdoor Activities & Organized Free Play |
Classrooms
Hungry Caterpillars
Ages 2-3
Children in our youngest class are developing their autonomy/independence and their sense of identity as unique individuals. Children of this age are just beginning to understand and label their own emotions. Supportive, empathetic responses from adults help children learn to manage and understand their emotions and begin to understand the emotions of others. Children of this age have rapidly developing verbal/language skills, and teachers support them in learning to express themselves verbally. Children’s cognitive/intellectual abilities are rapidly developing as this age, as well, and their awareness of the world around them is blossoming. Hungry Caterpillars learn about functioning in a group of peers (probably for the first time), as well as learn about basic social rules and how to share a space and materials with peers. Children of this age are becoming interested in peers, observe and imitate other children, and may make simple attempts at playing together for short periods. Children’s motor (physical) skills really take off at this age. As children become much more adept and coordinated, this leads them to want to practice all of their new skills. Potty training is generally established during the course of the year in this age group.
Busy Bees
Ages 3-4
At this stage, children’s social development takes a leap forward. This is the age at which children truly begin to play together in earnest, one-on-one or in small groups. They are now able to act out pretend scenarios (role play/dramatic play) or build a block building together. They get tremendous enjoyment from peer interaction, and peer relationships start to take the center stage. Children’s attention spans and ability to sit and focus are increasing, meaning that they are able to deeply engage in play and participate in more in-depth, back and forth conversations. They are able to listen to peers and wait for a turn more easily. Children of this age still hit, grab or push, at times, but they learning to understand their emotions and use their words to express themselves. They are becoming more independent and capable, though they may also relish the chance to “play baby” and revisit that time in their lives. They are eager to expand their understanding of the world around them and now can think in a somewhat less egocentric manner, with a growing interest in other people and their thoughts and feelings. The Busy Bees classroom bustles with joyful, purposeful activity and conversation.
Terrific Tigers
Ages 4-5
In our final year, children are solidifying learning and development in all areas (social, emotional, cognitive and physical), in preparation for the transition to Kindergarten. This preparation includes both fostering academic knowledge and skills (language, literacy, math, science, etc.), as well as fostering foundational non-academic skills, capacities and dispositions that will enable them to be ready to learn (focus, persistence, self-regulation, independence, social-emotional competence, etc.). Reading, writing, math, and other “academic” concepts are addressed through integrated, meaningful experiences and activities. We focus on integrating reading, writing, counting, measuring, and much more into our explorations of topics and activities that are of interest to children. Children of this age have a growing interest in writing, and we demonstrate for children the many ways that written language can help them to communicate and accomplish the things they want to, which harnesses children’s intrinsic (internal) motivation to learn to read and write. Children’s social interactions at this age become more sophisticated and satisfying. Children of this age regularly play in a cooperative manner, working together to accomplish a common goal. Children have developed much greater independence by this age and are capable of function quite autonomously. They enjoy age-appropriate “jobs” and feel competent when they are able to help grown ups, especially with tasks that have real meaning and make true contributions to others/the group. Emotionally, children of this age have become more aware of their feelings and those of others, as well as better able to deal with emotional upsets and disappointments. The Terrific Tigers are actively engaged in in-depth play and “work” and are developing into capable, competent individuals and learners.
Our Staff
Laura
Program Director
“My hope is for all children to emerge from childhood as whole and emotionally healthy, as open and trusting, and as joyful and free to be authentically themselves as possible.” – Self
Laura has been in the field of Early Childhood Education since 1993 and has been a program administrator since 1998. She received a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Cal State Northridge. Laura joined the team at the Oxy CDC in May 2017. She loves the fact that the small, tight-knit community at the CDC allows her to be a part of children’s daily school experience, to work closely with and support parents, and to actively collaborate with teachers in creating a dynamic, excellent Preschool program. She loves working with the incredible group of educators at the CDC and is grateful to be part of the Oxy community.
Alyssa
Lead Teacher – Hungry Caterpillars
“There is no such thing as failure, only learning experiences.” – Unknown
Alyssa Sanchez is a first generation college graduate. She has a B.A. in Child Development from Cal State LA. Her interest in education and teaching was sparked when she was in second grade, and Alyssa has since dedicated her time to tutoring and working with school-age children. She believes that children are the future, and she hopes to create an environment of open communication and respect, so that children feel safe and comfortable to express themselves. She is eager to continue her educational journey alongside her coworkers at the Oxy CDC.
Dana
Lead Teacher – Busy Bees
“Allow the child to be authentic, to move, to feel the way they move, appreciating them for what they are.” – Magda Gerber
Dana has been a Preschool Teacher for 4 years. She received a B.S. in Child Development from Cal State Fullerton. She believes that one of her strongest skills is recognizing and fostering the individuality of each child and tailoring an approach to education and discovery that will best help each child learn and grow. Outside of work, Dana enjoys roller skating, collecting antiques, and anything creative or silly.
Diana
Lead Teacher – Terrific Tigers
“Anything that is worth teaching can be presented in many different ways. These multiple ways can make use of our multiple intelligences.” – Howard Gardner
Diana earned her Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Studies from Cal State Channel Islands, and she’s proud to be a first-generation college graduate. She believes in the importance of creating a sense of unity and community within the classroom by encouraging children to share their cultures with each other. She believes that exposure to various cultures is important for children’s development. She is also heavily influenced by the theory of multiple intelligences, believing that every child is intelligent in their own ways and that our role is to support them in amplifying their strengths. Diana has worked with young children for over five years. She is grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow with all the children at the Oxy CDC!
Erica
Assistant Teacher
“The world needs a sense of worth, and it will achieve it only by its people feeling that they are worthwhile.”
-Fred Rogers
Erica Almodovar earned an AA degree in Child Development from East Los Angeles College and plans on furthering her education. Her teaching philosophy is based on children expressing their self-confidence through creativity in a learning environment. She believes children learn through their interests and through many forms of play. She is passionate about working with young children and understands the importance of supporting a child’s individual needs. Erica is a mother to a 10-year old son and enjoys exploring nature outdoors and spending time with family. Her journey at Oxy CDC began January 2024, and she is grateful for the opportunity for growth.
Jasmine
Lead Teacher – Terrific Tigers
“The goal of early childhood education should be to activate the child’s own natural desire to learn.” – Maria Montessori
Jasmine earned a Bachelor of Arts in Child Development in 2019 and a Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education in 2021, both from Cal State LA. She was granted a Master Teacher Child Development Permit by the State of California Commission on Teacher Credentialing in 2019. She has been working with young children since 2017. Her teaching philosophies are based on the belief that children develop at their own pace and are naturally driven by their own desires.
Katie
Assistant Teacher
“Who questions much, shall learn much, and retain much.”– Francis Bacon
Katie received her Bachelor’s Degree in Child Development from Cal State LA in 2023. She believes that a child’s learning environment should be culturally inclusive and appreciate all children’s unique abilities. Witnessing a child’s confidence grow is her favorite part of working in the educational field. She is grateful for how much she has learned since working at the Oxy CDC.
Laura (Lala)
Lead Teacher – Hungry Caterpillars
“Children want the same thing we want. To laugh, to be challenged, to be entertained, and delighted.” – Dr. Seuss
Laura has worked at the Oxy CDC since 1994. She started as a Teacher’s Assistant and fell in love with working with all the age groups. She decided that being an early childhood teacher was her calling. Laura is very grateful for having had wonderful mentors in her past, and she continues to learn from her co-workers who have the same passion for our future. Laura is the proud mother of two daughters. She received her B.A. in Liberal Studies from Cal State Long Beach.
Robin
Lead Teacher – Busy Bees
“Observe and listen to children because when they ask “why?” they are not simply asking for the answer from you. They are requesting the courage to find a collection of possible answers.” – Loris Malaguzzi
Robin has worked at the Oxy CDC since 2004. Her passion for working with children was sparked 20 years ago, when she became a student assistant at a Child Development Center during college. She enjoys watching the children’s faces light up as they explore the world around them. She believes children have a voice and have the ability to learn more than we can imagine. She balances her life between being a devoted mom to two children and a dedicated teacher.