Toddler, Preschool & School Age

American River College operates child care programs for student-parents who are continuing their education.  There are multiple centers which serve toddlers, preschool and school age children.  Students-parents must meet eligibility requirements regarding income and need as established by the State Department of Education/Office of Child Development.

Authorization for admission is made once the child is determined to be:

• 18 months to 10 years of age at the beginning of the semester that is requested for care.
• ready for the type of group experience that the child care center will offer.
• socially, emotionally and physically mature for their age.
• able to benefit from the program.

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The Toddler Program is based on the philosophy that toddlers flourish in an atmosphere of responsive care giving, develop at their own rate and are furnished a nurturing environment in which it is safe to explore and develop a positive self-image. 

This is provided through a nurturing environment, opportunities for toddlers to make choices, recognizing individual growth patterns and respecting individual needs and temperaments.

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This program is based on the philosophy that children can learn the skills necessary for success, learn at their own rate, go through certain developmental stages of growth and with success in learning, will develop a positive self-image.

This is provided through recognizing each stage of development and fashioning a curriculum that will nurture and facilitate growth.  Also, opportunities for children to make choices as they move about in the environment.

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The purpose of the school age program is to provide a warm, affectionate atmosphere for children while their parents are attending summer classes. The program is designed to create an atmosphere which will ensure each child's continued success and interest in learning.  In planning the educational environment we have taken into account the various ages of the children attending, the level of each child's development and the ways in which children learn.

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Our centers are not only here to serve children, our centers are also here to serve families.  Our success in working with families depends on hearing from them.  We value your thoughts and ideas.

Every family comes to us from different circumstances and with different points of view.  We respect the parent/child (family) relationship, support it's growth, understand it as a process and trust it's outcome.

Parents are welcomed and valued; parents and staff are partners in learning to work together.  When parents and staff communicate, children's needs are met more effectively.  When parents participate, it enhances children's learning.

This is a family center...our doors are always open.  By being supportive and nurturing each other, we create a caring community for all who walk through our doors.

A Parent Advisory Committee is established each semester and meets regularly to discuss Center policy, rules, and programs.  Positions on the committee are filled by election at the first parent meeting of each semester.

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This program offers opportunities for students in early childhood education, nursing, child development, and psychology to work with young children while pursuing their educational goals.  These students provide an exceptional adult/child ratio and many marvelous experiences for the children.

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It is the policy of the Los Rios Community College District to implement policies to guarantee that no qualified student or prospective student or any person having an educational relationship with the District shall be discriminated against or excluded from any benefits, activities, or programs on the grounds of ethnic group identification, religion, gender, age, color, sexual orientation, or physical or mental disability, nor shall any students be discriminated against for conversing in a language other than English. However, students shall be required to speak English when the use of English is necessary for educational or communication purposes.