Child Educational Center, La Canada Flintridge

The Child Educational Center, part of the JPL and Caltech communities, provides early care and education with a pioneering focus on heart-centered, progressive education and outdoor learning at seven sites in La Canada and Pasadena, California. The CEC offers full- and part- time programs for children up to five years at its La Canada site, the Cooperative Preschool at Caltech, as well as the after-school programs and summer camps for children in grades K – 6. Through consulting and outreach services and The Outdoor Classroom Project® initiative, the CEC is transforming the way early childhood educational programs provide care to children across California and beyond. The CEC’s Infant-Toddler and Preschool program is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). The Child Educational Center’s (CEC) Cooperative Preschool at Caltech, previously available only to families with Caltech or JPL affiliations, is now opening its enrollment to all community families. The Cooperative Preschool operates a morning (8:30-11:30am) program for 9 months each year, beginning in September and running through May. This program utilizes curriculum that is stimulating and challenging, as well as nurturing and supportive of each child's learning style. Outdoor play and exploration is an integral component of each day, encouraging children to develop knowledge and love of the natural world. The daily schedule provides for activities specifically geared to the various developmental levels of children in the program, as well as opportunities for children to interact, teach, and learn from one another. As a cooperative, parents take turns participating as assistant teachers under the guidance of professional CEC staff. This combination of professional teachers and parent volunteers creates a ratio of 1 adult to every 4 children or better. The Cooperative Preschool at Caltech embodies the same philosophical approach and mission as the CEC. Enrollment is open throughout the year on a space-available basis. Listed tuition rates vary depending on full- or part-time scheduling, if you work for Caltech or JPL, and other factors.