Mission
Vision: Families who are employed and come from low income households need subsidized childcare so they can work to support their families. Early care, early intervention, early education and essential nutrition in a licensed community based center prepare children for success in Kindergarten and in life. Education breaks the cycle of poverty.
Philosophy: We believe the development of children occurs in an orderly sequence of behavior from simple to complex. Our educational approach addresses the "whole child;" as children learn through their experiences throughout their day. Focusing on all areas of development, children are given opportunities to explore and inquire, developing a "need to know" attitude that they will carry throughout their formal educational years. This learning process takes place in the context of developing healthy social relationships beginning with the family, later the school, then larger communities. We believe the optimal development of each child occurs in an environment in which parents and caregivers mutually understand, anticipate and meet the needs of children. When caregivers and families work together to develop and implement individual learning goals based on the specific growth patterns of each child, the child reaches their full potential. ECCDC implements both child initiated and teacher directed activities. Staff members respond to each child's needs assisting with growth in all areas of development. Classroom learning activities are provided through art, music, science, nutrition, communication, pre-math, pre-reading, and pre-writing skills. Outdoor activities such as field trips and special events are scheduled throughout the year. Cultural awareness and sensitivity are taught through acceptance of all children and families. Social and emotional development is emphasized in all learning activities. Children are assessed frequently to monitor developmental progress and to identify areas of possible needs. School readiness, which includes early language and early literacy, is a focused priority of the program.
Mission: the Mission of the Escondido Community Child Development Center (ECCDC) is to increase the family's ability to be a fully functioning unit, capable of meeting its own needs through the provision of high quality childcare and early education.
Purpose: ECCDC is a licensed non-profit preschool for children ages 4 months to kindergarten for families working looking for work, or who are pursuing higher education that come from low-income households. Its purpose is to provide a comprehensive, coordinated and cost-effective child development program which includes a full range of education, supervision, health, and social services designed to assist children and their families to maximize their full potential. The core curriculum is offered between 8 am and 12:30 pm. Children may be enrolled in a full-day and/or part-day programs. Early interventions include free annual on-site child developmental screenings and assessments, along with free therapeutic services for vision, hearing, dental health, physical growth & nutrition, speech, first and second language development and early childhood social-emotional competency. Each child is offered 2 main meals and 2 snacks per day through the California Child and Adult Food Program (CACFP).
History: The original Title V direct funding contract came as a result of a proposal written by Lorraine Boyce, then Mayor of the City of Escondido, and Ruth Clothier, the Coordinator & Chair of the Child Development Department at Palomar Community College to the California Department of Education, Child Development Division to support the operation of a Title V preschool program at the Escondido Community Child Development Center.
Founder, Lorraine Boyce
