California Lutheran University Preschool

Begun in 1974, California Lutheran Early Childhood Center has always been rooted in the Lutheran tradition of education that emphasizes Christian faith and principles. The center provides a hands-on experiential learning environment for children, 21 months – 6 years of age. In a loving, nurturing atmosphere each child has long periods of uninterrupted free time to explore and engage in activities that are meaningful to her/him.

Curriculum goals enable every child to construct a knowledgeable, confident self identity; to develop comfortable, empathetic, and just interaction with diversity; and to develop critical thinking and the skills for standing up for oneself and others in the face of injustice. We believe this will help each child develop into a self-confident, flexible, creative, and joyful person.
Our center, in using a developmental approach, asks its teachers to act as facilitators, to be in the middle but never in the way. By asking open-ended questions our staff begins to build a child’s sense of self and independence when the child realizes he/she can find solutions and accomplish tasks.

We build on the cognitive development of each child by providing many opportunities for risks and challenges. In this Christian setting we seek to empower each child to begin to see how special and talented he/she is. The center is licensed for fifty children on a daily basis. Because of this, the staff is able to form a personal relationship with each family.