It’s all about the kids!
Mission
The Redwood City Child Development Program, an early learning center primarily serving low income families, will:
Provide a comprehensive education program helping children’s successful integration and participation in their families, schools and communities.
- Provide a safe, healthy, child-centered learning environment based on the developmental needs of children.
- Focus on the emotional, social, cognitive, and physical needs of every child as an individual and as a member of the community.
- Encourage families and the community to take an active role in their children’s learning and development.
Philosophy
We provide a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment that contributes to the development of children, helping to meet their emotional, social, cognitive, and physical needs. Our commitment is to guide and encourage each child’s individual potential and support the involvement of families.
Parent Involvement
The RCCDP offers parent workshops and informational meetings on a regular basis throughout the year. We conduct annual surveys in order to determine which topics are of most interest to our parents. Our program has a Parent Advisory Council (PAC) which consists of a group of parents who come together monthly to provide support and advice to one another and to the program. The PAC organizes several social events and fundraisers throughout the year.
Social Services
Our staff supports parents with referrals to community agencies for child care, speech and language services, family counseling, immigration, food programs, housing, employment, and job training.
Our Children’s Stories
James’Story
James enrolled in our infant program as a child of a single teenage mother nearly 5 years ago. His mom worked a part time job while finishing high school. James’s mom developed great trust and respect for the program at RCCDP which was able to offer her free care for her child while she completed her education and worked. James stayed with RCCDP through graduation in the Summer of 2018. He is enrolled in a local kindergarten and is doing well, loving art, playing basketball and running track.
Isabel’s Story
Isabel is a bright young girl who has been attending the RCCDP since she was two. Isabel’s mother recently fell upon financial hard times and was unable to keep up with Isabel’s required monthly tuition payments to the RCCDP. Recognizing the dire situation of the family, and the need for Isabel to finish the school year in preparation for Kindergarten, RCCDP provided Isabel with a scholarship to enable her to complete the end of her time at our preschool. She shines like a star. She is able to identify advanced mathematical shapes and spell out not only her first but last name as well!
Isaac’s Story
Isaac joined RCCDP in the Spring of 2018 at 13 months old. When Isaac turned 2 years old, his language skills were identified as lagging behind the normal range for his age group. With early recognition, the RCCDP staff made a referral to the Golden Gate Regional Center for speech services. As a result, Isaac receives free speech therapy and is now communicating with 3 and 4 word sentences. His language skills are seeing significant improvement allowing him to interact better with his peers and work to build and maintain early friendships.
Lucy’s Story
Lucy has attended the center since she was 18 months old. When Lucy was 3 years old, her family went through a difficult time. Lucy began to struggle in class and withdraw from her friends and teachers. The RCCDP helped Lucy’s mother connect with the services of our neighbor, the Fair Oaks Community Center, to help stabilize the family and meet their basic needs. A year later, Lucy is flourishing in her Pre K classroom. She has mastered our Zoo Phonics reading program and is doing very well in her Kindergarten Readiness group. She is an outgoing almost 5 year old who is excited to start Kindergarten! Because of RCCDP’s unique shared location and relationship with the Fair Oaks Community Center, we can work together to help children and their families meet today’s challenges.
Jazmin’s Story
Jazmin joined us as a toddler. She is cared for by a single grandparent since her parents are no longer able to care for her. As an infant, Jazmin suffered from febrile seizures, and had an episode while at school. With monitoring and a family plan, her seizures are under control. She was supported through the Golden Gate Regional Center for a mild speech delay and is currently a happy thriving 3 year old in our 3’s classroom. She is no longer receiving speech therapy services and recently has been assessed with typical language development for her age. The improvement in her speech has helped her to build and maintain great friendships while also feeling confident to express her needs to teachers and caregivers.