Preschool in CCUSD: The First Stop in Our Family of Schools

It’s been about eight years since my wife and I drove around Culver City to tour the local preschool options.  As I recall, there were a wide range of choices–each having varying areas of focus, style and cost. 

One of the fantastic choices available is Culver City Unified School District’s own Office of Child Development Preschool program.  I recently exchanged emails with the Director of CCUSD’s Office of Child Development, Audrey Stephens.  She was able to provide some valuable insight into what her program has to offer.

In my eyes, one of the greatest assets that CCUSD’s preschool program offers is an intimate knowledge of our school district’s culture, expectations and educational needs.  There shouldn’t be any surprises when your child enters kindergarten at one of our neighborhood schools, after graduating from CCUSD’s preschool program.

Another eye-opening asset that our district’s pre-school program has is its amazing teachers.  In both 2008 and 2009, CCUSD produced two different Los Angeles County Preschool Teacher of the Year Award winners. 

According to Ms. Stephens, “What sets us apart is the ability to offer parents a learning environment for their child that is staffed by teachers who retain credentials from the California Department of Education, Child Development Division, which authorizes the teaching of young children.  Furthermore, all educators participate in a continuous program of educational development through in-services, college classes and professional organizations.”

Like CCUSD’s elementary schools, its preschool program strongly encourages parental involvement.  In Ms. Stephen’s words, “Since the life of a child cannot be divided into two separate parts, ‘life at home’ and ‘life at school’, it is important that there be a close working relationship between home and school for one continuous plan of healthy, happy living.  Your involvement, support, and communication are crucial to your child’s adjustment and to our program.”

Finally, the Office of Child Development Preschool program offers a developmentally appropriate curriculum tailored to each child’s base of knowledge.  Essentially, the program addresses their emotional, social, physical and cognitive needs while fostering the language development skills necessary for reading, writing, discussing ideas and following directions.  This learning environment, that is both experiential and interactive, is designed to prepare each child for the rigors of kindergarten instruction.  Provided year round, this program has funds available for income eligible families who meet state requirements.

The Office of Child Development provides much more than just preschool education; it also has a wonderful before and after school enrichment program on most of CCUSD’s elementary school campuses.  Available for grades K-5, these learning centers equip students with resources to augment class instruction while cultivating social development through a host of fun and enriching activities.  All of these programs are facilitated by trained and credentialed educators, and funds are also available for income eligible families who meet state requirements.

There is so much more to know about the Office of Child Development that I couldn’t possibly cover here.  So, when you plan your preschool tours, be sure to visit CCUSD’s own preschool at the Office of Child Development.  You can learn more by clicking here.