Altadena Children's Center

Our History and Mission

At Altadena Children's Center, we have been providing high-quality child care and early childhood education since 1982. Our mission is to strengthen families by providing the highest quality care and education for children, serving families of varied economic levels and cultural backgrounds in an atmosphere that celebrates diversity.

Our Programs

Our programs are designed to engage children in the joy of learning through meaningful activities that support their optimal healthy growth and development. Our experience combines a home-like atmosphere with an experienced team of professionals and a curriculum designed to meet the individual needs of each child and family. Every day is carefully planned to bring an enriching variety of experiences to support the intellectual, emotional and physical growth of the children.

Our Staff

Our teachers are college-educated in early childhood education with practical, hands-on experience in the classroom and are credentialed with a Child Development Permit issued by the State of California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. This requires ongoing professional development and a credential renewal every five years. Each classroom is also staffed by one or more associate teachers with ratios of 1:4 for 0 to 1-year-olds, 1:5 for 2-year-olds, 1:8 for 3-year-olds, and 1:12 for Pre-Kindergarten children.

Family Partnership

We cultivate a strong partnership with families through effective communication and opportunities for involvement. Teachers provide a daily report about each child, and they are always available to answer parents' questions. In addition, they provide formal assessments of growth and development twice a year to which parents contribute. To further strengthen the partnership between home and school, we regularly provide events that bring families together in friendships that often continue long after children move on to elementary school.

Community Partnerships

We are supported by many community partners, including the Altadena Baptist Church and the Pasadena Community Foundation. Our individual donors include former and current families, as well as many other community members who value the important role quality child care plays in a healthy community.

Our Facilities

Our center has adapted two former homes and adjacent buildings to provide a warm, safe, and comfortable environment for young children. Each age group has a dedicated room with age-appropriate instructional materials and toys. Classrooms are kept at a comfortable temperature through central air and heating. In addition, we have several outdoor play yards equipped with play structures that invite children to develop their physical abilities in a child-friendly environment.

Quality Start LA

We are proud to be a part of the Quality Start Los Angeles (QSLA) program, a voluntary quality rating and improvement system designed to help parents choose the best early childhood education for their family. QSLA also supports our continuous improvement efforts, allowing us to provide the highest quality care and education to our children.