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COM Logo   CHILD DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

                           Games and GigglesIVC Organic FarmImaginary Play: Two Princesses

                                        Games and Giggles                       Indian Valley Campus Organic Farm                     Two Princesses

The Child Development Program is now accepting applications for the 2012-13 academic year.

College of Marin Child Development Program provides high quality early education for the infants, toddlers, and preschool age children of College of Marin students, with priority going to low-income student families.  Centers are located on the Kentfield and Indian Valley campuses.  The centers provide child care during fall and spring semesters and are open Mondays to Thursdays from 7:45 am to 5:00 pm and on Fridays from 7:45 am to 1:00 pm.

The Preschool Centers serve as demonstration classrooms that annually provide child observation, research and practicum opportunities, student teacher training, and Work Study jobs for more than 500 College of Marin students who are taking courses in Early Childhood Education, Pediatric Nursing, Child Psychology/Human Development, Behavioral Science, and related fields.

 

IVC Early Head Start Infant Toddler Center:  Bldg 12; 457-8811, ext 8171

The Early Head Start Center on the Indian Valley campus in Novato provides infant/toddler care to student families with children ages birth to three years.  There is no cost to eligible families.  To apply, please call Marin Head Start at 415.883.3791 or to download an application, visit: 

 Be sure to indicate on the application that you are a COM student parent applying for the IVC Early Head Start Center.

Preschool Centers

Kentfield Children's Center:  AC 40, downstairs, 485.9468

Indian Valley Children's Center:  Bldg 12, 457.8811, ext. 8170

The College of Marin Children's Centers are California State Preschool Programs and provide part and full-day preschool on both the Kentfield and Indian Valley campuses for the children of COM students.  A limited number of full cost slots are available for COM faculty and staff.

Eligibility for enrollment in the Preschool Centers is based on several factors:

  1. Child's Age:  Children must be three years of age by November 1 of the current academic year to be eligible for enrollment.

  2. Family need for child care:  COM employee or COM student status:  At least one parent must be either an employee of the College of Marin or a College of Marin student.  Student parents must be enrolled in at least 6 credit units or at least 9 hours of non-credit ESL each semester.  All courses must lead to a vocational or educational goal, such as an associate degree, a skills certificate, or transfer to a four-year university.  COM student parents must make academic progress every semester to continue to be eligible for child care services.

  3. Family Income:  Child care fees are based on family income and may be subsidized or full cost:

    1. Subsidized fees:  Fees for eligible student families are subsidized by the California Department of Education and 10,000 Degrees (formerly Marin Education Fund) and are on a sliding scale that ranges from no cost to full cost, depending on family income and family size.  Priority for subsidized child care goes to the lowest income student families.

    2. Full cost fees:  COM students whose incomes exceed state guidelines for subsidized care pay full cost fees, as do faculty and staff.  Full cost fees for the 2012-13 academic year are $48 per day for full day care and $37 per day for mornings until 1 pm.

Preschool Curriculum

The Children's Centers offer a play based preschool curriculum that supports children's cognitive, social-emotional, and physical development.  The children enjoy age appropriate learning activities and projects that support their developing ideas and interests.  Activities include creative arts and music, dramatic play, blocks, games, early literacy, sand and water play, math and science explorations, and large motor play, such as climbing and tricycle riding.  Children enjoy a nutritious breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snack each day.  Meals are cooked on site and served family style with teachers joining children at the table for conversation and community building.  The program offers parent education and partners with a variety of community-based agencies, such as the Early Childhood Mental Health Program, Parent Services Project, and Raising A Reader, whose services support family success and children's healthy development.

Preliminary Application Forms

To download a Preliminary Application for the Preschool Centers:

Please complete the PDF application form and submit it electronically, print and fax the application to 415.884.2079 or mail to Child Development Program Office, 1800 Ignacio Blvd., Novato CA 94949.
These forms require the latest version of Adobe Reader X. Download Adobe Reader X Free.

In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color,national origin, sex, age, or disability.

For more information, please call the Child Development Program Office at 415.457.8811, ext. 8221.

Last updated:  1.24.13

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Child Development Program web page
Technical Responsible: Linda Fahy, Administrative Assistant, 415.457.8811 ext. 8221
Content Responsible: Lyda Beardsley, Director 415.457.8811, ext. 8222 or 7132