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Our Mission,
Vision, and History
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Our Mission

Investing In Our Community...One Family At A Time

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OUR VISION

Our vision is to provide quality early childhood education, development, and health programs for children 4 months to 5 years of age at little or no cost to low-income families. This early education program helps families to remain gainfully employed, attend school, or have time to look for work and be self-sustaining. ECCDC provides quality care and early childhood education that promotes early intervention and inclusion, nutrition, wellness, and support in licensed community-based centers. Education and support can break the cycle of poverty.

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Founder, Lorraine Boyce

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Founder, Ruth Clothier

OUR HISTORY

Established in 1974, former Mayor Lorraine Boyce and Escondido resident Ruth Clothier petitioned the state of California to provide Title V funding to provide the opportunity for parents of young children to work or go to school. The Escondido Community Child Development Center, Inc. is a state-licensed, non-profit early learning and care organization for children ages 4 months to 5 years. Today, ECCDC serves about 300 children at two child development centers in the City of Escondido and partnership facilities.

The Escondido Community Child Development Center, Inc. provides a comprehensive and coordinated 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. We offer early interventions and inclusion support services, which include annual on-site child screenings and assessment services for vision, hearing, dental health, nutrition, and dual language development. Each child is offered two main meals and a snack per day following the Child and Adult Food Program. ECCDC has grown so much that we partner with Head Start through EasterSeals and MAAC, as well as the Escondido Union High School district.

Our Philosophy

We believe the development of children occurs in an orderly sequence of behavior from simple to complex our 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.

Our 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. It' purpose is to provide a comprehensive, coordinated, and cost-effective child development program which includes a full range of education, supervision, heath, 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 (CAACFP).

TESTIMONIALS

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The teachers are very engaged with the students. It makes me

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Clothier parent

Solo tengo un comentario esta escuela me ayudado mucho a...

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Taylia

Estoy muy contenta que Silvano esta encl programa. El esta feliz...

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Boyce parent

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OUR NEWS

Learn about the most current updates for ECCDC!

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ECCDC will have different ways for organizations and people to contribute to th...

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We have been hard at work updating our website...

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We are looking to hire qualified teachers, particularly for our infant...

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