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Eligibility

The Child Development Center at MiraCosta College serves as a campus-based child development program providing both academic instruction to students enrolled in child development/early childhood education courses and childcare services to student, staff, and community families. Providing demonstration classrooms to the college community, our program offers a model of best practice in early childhood education while providing students learning opportunities through observation and on-floor interactions with young children and their families.

Following the lead of MiraCosta’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, the Child Development Center is committed to providing a strong, supportive, and authentic environment where difference is valued, respected, encouraged, and honored; where all children, their families, and staff experience a sense of belonging and the freedom to express themselves; and where their experiences are recognized and valued.

Admission is open to all children 18 months to 4 years and 11 months of age. As a campus-based child development program, priority enrollment and student tuition rates are available to student families (enrolled in 6 or more units). 

Enrollment options for our morning programs are 2 days (M/W or T/Th), 3 days (M/W/F or T/Th/F) or 5 days (M-F). Requests for a schedule other than those listed will be handled on a case-by-case basis. Extended Day programming is only available to students attending MiraCosta College classes during those times or for MCC faculty and staff employed on campus and availability is limited. Enrollment priority is as follows:

  1. Students enrolled in 6+ units at MiraCosta
  2. MiraCosta Faculty and Staff
  3. Community members

Classroom Options / Ratios

Toddlers (18-24 months)
Morning Program: 8:30-11:30 a.m.
Extended Day Program: Not Available

Preschool
Morning Program: 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. (Room 1&2), 8:45 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. (Rooms 4 & 5)
Extended Day Program: 7:45 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (Rooms 4 & 5 only)*

*Early care starting at 7:45 a.m. is available only for students with classes during those times or staff working on campus.  The extended day program in the preschool classrooms includes flexible pick-up beginning at 2:30 p.m. The extended day program is available only for students with classes during those times or staff working on campus.

Room #3: Toddlers (18 - 24 months, ~1:4 ratio). This room provides our youngest children with what is often their first group experience. Focus is given to developing quality relationships through consistent routines, as children master self-help and social-interaction skills. Morning option only.*

  • Room #1
    Two-Year-Olds (2 years-2 years 6 months, ~1:5 ratio). In this classroom, children engage in developmentally appropriate learning experiences across a variety of interest centers. Morning option only; lunch program available until 12:00 pm for students in class during those times.*
  • Room #2
    Young Preschool(2 years 6 months-3 years, ~1:6 ratio). Children engage in developmentally appropriate learning experiences across a variety of interest centers across a variety of interest centers. Morning option only; lunch program available until 12:00 pm for students in class during those times.*
  • Rooms #4
    Preschool (3 years 6 months-4 years 11 months,~1:8 ratio). This class provides children with developmentally appropriate early learning experiences across a variety of interest centers . Morning, lunch, and extended day options.*
  • Room #5
    Preschool (3 years 6 months-4 years 11 months,~1:8 ratio). This class provides children with developmentally appropriate early learning experiences across a variety of interest centers.  Morning, lunch, and extended day options.*

Please note age ranges are approximate and can vary slightly depending upon enrollment needs and classroom availability.

* Early care starting at 7:45 a.m. is available only for students with classes during those times or staff working on campus. The extended day program in the preschool classrooms includes flexible pick-up beginning at 2:30 p.m. The lunch and extended day program is available only for students with classes during those times or staff working on campus.

If you are interested in applying for the Fall semester, the center's application becomes active on May 1st. If you are interested in applying for the Spring semester, the application becomes active on November 1st. If the link is not active, the center is no longer accepting applications for that current semester.

Sample Routine of the Day

Snack Menu (rotates every 4 weeks)

Tuition

Admission Policy

Admission is open to all children 18 months to 4 years and 11 months of age. As a campus-based child development program, priority enrollment and student tuition rates are available to student families (enrolled in 6 or more units). 

Enrollment options for our morning programs are 2 days (M/W or T/Th), 3 days (M/W/F or T/Th/F) or 5 days (M-F). Requests for a schedule other than those listed will be handled on a case-by-case basis. Extended Day programming is only available to students attending MiraCosta College classes during those times or for MCC faculty and staff employed on campus and availability is limited. Enrollment priority is as follows:

  1. Students enrolled in 6+ units at MiraCosta
  2. MiraCosta Faculty and Staff
  3. Community members

The online application for enrollment becomes available on the website on May 1 for the fall semester, November 1 for the spring semester. Upon submission, all incoming applications are timestamped and assigned a sequential number based on the order in which they are received. They are then prioritized according to applicant status and the date of application.

Returning students families receive priority for enrollment upon verificatio of student status. For those placed on the wait-list, a new application is required each school year as the wait-list does not carry over to subsequent terms.

Prior to the child’s first day of attendance, proof of immunization (see current requirements) must be provided. Additional forms required by Community Care Licensing must be completed and signed by the child’s parent or legal guardian.