The Children’s Programs are sponsored by the Early Childhood Education Department. They are designed to provide a high quality, develop­mentally appropriate and intellectually stimulating educational experience for the children while providing safe, reliable childcare for student-parents.  In addition to our excellent employed staff members, early childhood education students complete their student teaching “practicum” requirement in the Children’s Programs and add their enthusiasm and creativity to the programs.

The programs for each age group are interesting and varied. In each program, children follow a planned schedule which includes both active and quiet activities offered both indoors and outdoors in the well-equipped yards. The Preschool Programs feature art, science, math, music, cooking, manipulatives, story time, and outdoor activities. Programs for the younger age groups focus on self-help skills, language development, and interpersonal social skill development.

The Children’s Programs are located in Buildings 200 and 400. Both facilities are carefully designed and beautifully equipped to meet the needs of the children and parents. The Children’s Programs are open from 7:45 am to 3:30 pm during the school year, and during the six-week summer school.

Children are placed in the infant, toddler, two-year-old, or one of the preschool groups based on their age and maturity. They may attend for full- or part-day. Student parents are assigned a schedule for their children based on their college class schedule: Monday-Wednesday-Friday, Tuesday-Thursday, or five-days/per week schedules are available. Subsidized preschool aged children have five-day per week schedules. Parents sign a contract for the semester stating exact arrival and departure times. Late fees are charged for late departure after the program closes at 3:30 p.m.

Grant funding sources include California State Preschool Programs (CSPP), General Child Care (CCTR) and a Campus CalWORKs Grant.

The Children’s Programs also participate in the Child Care Food Program. In the morning, a breakfast snack and lunch are served; children staying all day also have an afternoon snack after nap time. The Afternoon Preschool Program serves lunch and an afternoon snack. Children under three years old who attend in the afternoon should eat lunch before they come.

The Children’s Programs are open to the students, faculty and staff of Solano College. Community children may attend on a space-available basis. Fees are determined by the parent’s income and the child’s age. Many of our openings are State or Federally subsidized with free or low-cost child care available to low-income parents. Student parents enrolled in six units or more have priority for enrollment. Both a school-year and a summer-school program are available.

Parents may place their child(ren) on the eligibility list by visiting the Children’s Programs Office in Building 200 (open 8:30 am to 3:30 pm).

For more information, call our Assistant Director at (707) 864-7000 Ext. 4639, or the Front Desk at (707) 864-7182 (from Vallejo/Benicia, call 552-4330, ext. 7182 or ext. 4639).