Easterseals Heads ‘Back to School’ at New Encinitas Child Development Center

Easterseals Southern California is starting off the 2024 school year at our brand new, state-of-the-art Child Development Center (CDC) in Encinitas, CA. Along with this new location comes a lot of exciting programs, partnerships and features that will foster learning and provide greater support for the children and families we serve.

The new Encinitas location welcomed students on July 1^st and so far, both parents and their children are thrilled with the center and all it has to offer. Just a few of the features include nine large classrooms, an expansive and inclusive outdoor learning area, a full prep kitchen for on-site meals, a vegetable garden, an observation room for parents, a multi-use space for trainings and parenting classes, plenty of parking, and an infant outdoor learning area is under construction.

Currently, the center offers Head Start and Early Head Start programs for two-through-five year olds, and will soon provide services for infants.

“Everyone from our staff to our kiddos and parents are thrilled with our new, state-of-the-art Child Development Center in Encinitas,” said Karen Rojas, Regional Director of Child Development Services. “With more classrooms, multi-uses spaces, and enhanced learning opportunities, this location allows us to support our families in even more impactful ways than before.”

Easterseals considers the location as more than a Child Development Center; it is a Family Support Center that cares for the whole family unit, from providing nutrition assistance to parenting resources. For example, they recently developed a partnership with a new food vendor, Neighborhood House Association, that provides fresh, multicultural meals for the children. The center also offers parent advocacy committee meetings, access to a Family Service Worker (FSW), a food pantry, and parent engagement curriculum to ensure families have the support they need to thrive at school and at home.

One parent, Lesly Castillo, said, “The new center is a better location and space for the children, and I am excited about the support it will offer. It will impact my child’s learning and growth because he has the attention and confidence to express himself in any situation.”

This Encinitas Child Development Center would not have been possible without the generous donations and continued support from community members and corporate partners. Easterseals is grateful for corporate partners like PNC, who recently visited the new location to gift each teacher with $200 Lakeshore Learning gift cards, books, and ‘We Can Learn Outdoors’ activity kits.

With this new facility, Easterseals is committed to providing the most critically underserved populations and their children in North San Diego with a quality and specialized experience that is needed to jump start their educational career.

“As the only Head Start and Early Head Start providers in Leucadia, Encinitas and Solana Beach, we’re so proud to serve our community in this location,” said Karen.

Easterseals Head Start and Early Head Start programs in Encinitas are currently welcoming new students for the 2024 school year. Visit our website to learn how you can enroll your child at our new Child Development Center serving the communities of Encinitas, Leucadia, Solana Beach, and the surrounding cities, as well as our other centers in San Bernardino and Ventura.