Spots Available at Gavilan College Child Development Center

As school begins anew in Gilroy, officials at Gavilan College are reminding the public that the preschool program at the Gavilan College Child Development Center is open to everyone–not just those affiliated with the college.

“A lot of people don’t realize that you don’t have to be a student at Gavilan College to use these services,” said Jan Bernstein Chagrin, director of public information at Gavilan. “The center is available for the community as well as for students.”

The Child Development Center provides a variety of activities that are aimed to both entertain and foster the readiness that kids will need to begin school effectively.

Approaches to the curriculum include: “Pre-kindergarten Learning & Development Guidelines, Food for Thought, Spark, and Desired Results for Children and Families,” according to a recent press release.

Activities include all sorts of creative art exercises, math activities, reading drills, use of computers and outdoor activities.  

“The children in the preschool also benefit by being in a college campus,” said Bernstein.

Kids are taken to all sorts of happenings at the university, such as plays, and are able to enjoy the natural surroundings of the Gavilan campus. The availability of college students also contributes to the learning and safety of the kids enrolled.

“There is a high staff-to-student ratio, which is made even better by the child development and nursing students who assist the professional staff with the classes,” said Bernstein.

The program cost includes breakfast, lunch and a snack for children, according to Gavilan.

The economic downturn has caused a lot of parents to reel back after-school activities. However, the center insists that it offers a lot of paying options that could allow parents of many incomes to afford this experience for their offspring.

“The subsidized program goes by sliding scale in income; for some, there will be no charge, and for others a very reduced charge,” said Bernstein.  

Full cost for the different programs varies, based on the number of days and hours a child attends.  

The Gavilan College Child Development Center is on the college campus,  5055 Santa Teresa Blvd. It is open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. See it on the map.

Helpful links:

See other preschool programs in Gilroy

Full cost application

Full fee schedule

Subsidized low-income application

Required documentation for low-income application