Child Care

The CDC offers care for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers in a warm, nurturing setting that exceeds California’s licensing standards. Group sizes are intentionally small, allowing for more individualized attention and support than traditional childcare programs. 

The Child Development Center serves ages 6 months to 5 years of age. The classrooms are broken down into age groups of our four classrooms. 

• Ladybugs - 6 months to 18 months 

• Caterpillars - 18 months to 2.5 years of age 

• Butterflies - 2.6 years of age to 3.5 years of age (hands on toilet training) 

• Bumblebees - 3.6 years of age to 5 years (children will need to be toilet trained before entering this classroom) 

We are accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), which recognizes programs that meet the highest standards in early childhood education. This ensures our environment is safe, engaging, and focused on healthy development.

All CDC teachers hold a California Child Development Master Teacher Permit or higher. Many have completed or are working toward a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. Our staff stays current with best practices and uses up-to-date curriculum and assessment tools. 

Our play-based curriculum encourages learning through exploration, creativity, and social interaction. Children participate in daily activities that promote cognitive, language, social-emotional, and physical development, with an emphasis on cultural diversity and inclusion. Indoor and outdoor play, music, art, and storytelling are part of every day. 

Children enrolled at least 10 hours a week are assessed using the Desired Results Developmental Profile (DRDP) within their first 60 days and again within 90 days. These assessments inform activity planning and guide parent-teacher conferences each semester. Plans are tailored to each child’s needs and are posted for families to view.

The CDC provides all enrolled children with a free, nutritious breakfast, lunch, and snack daily. Meals meet USDA and California Department of Education guidelines and are supported by the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). Meals are served family-style, encouraging children to serve themselves and learn healthy eating habits in a relaxed, social setting.

The Butte Community College Child Development Center is a secure facility. As such, there are a number of security features and protocols in place to protect enrolled children, CDC staff, and Butte College students. 

The CDC is equipped with multiple security cameras both inside and outside the facility, which run on a 24-hour, 7-day-a-week basis. These cameras are used for  
observation purposes, as well as security and monitoring. Each camera records both audio and video within the surveillance area, and the captured footage can be saved, rewound, and replayed as needed. 

1. Submit Waitlist Application
2. Contact for enrollment will be made as slots become available
3. Complete your certification meeting, and the provided State of California Community Care Licensing forms along with parent enrollment packet
4. Attend Parent Orientation

Waitlist applications must indicate family size and household gross income on the second page to be properly prioritized.

The CDC prioritizes enrollment to families eligible for state grants.  Tuition fees for state grants are calculated based off family size and monthly household gross income.  See if you qualify for free or low-cost care through one of the grants below.

The purpose of the CSPP program is to provide an inclusive and cost-effective preschool program that provides high-quality learning experiences, coordinated services, and referrals for families to access health and social-emotional support services.  Designed to facilitate the transition to kindergarten for three and four-year-old children.

Who is Eligible?

• Child must be 3 or 4 years of age on or before December 1st of the academic year they are being served.
• Eligibility shall be established for both part-day/full-day CSPP services, if the child or family meets one of the following:
• Family is a current aid recipient.
• Family is income eligible
• Family is experiencing homelessness
• Family is considered “at risk” per county welfare office.
• Child to be enrolled has a diagnosed exceptional need (with documentation of an IFSP/IEP).
• A member of the household counted in the family size is certified to receive benefits from means-tested government programs.
• Family has an income that is no more than 15% above the income eligibility threshold.

*Full day services require a need established for both parents in the home.  CSPP Certification Documentation [link – file upload: <CSPP Certification Documentation.docx>] needed at the time of certification meeting.

The purpose of this program is to provide a comprehensive, coordinated, and cost-effective system of childcare and development services for all ages of children at our Center.

Who is Eligible?

• A family is eligible for CCTR childcare and development services if the child or family meets one of the following:
  • A current aid recipient.
  • Income eligible.
  • Experiencing homelessness.
  • A member of the household counted in the family size, is certified to receive benefits from means-tested government programs.
  • One whose child(ren) are recipient of protective services or at risk.

Enrollment Priorities as Follows:

• Families whose children are recipients of child protective services, at risk families.
• In accordance with family size and income, with the lowest income ranked families to be admitted first.

*Both state grants provide children with daily snacks/meals and may provide families with community resources if needed.

The CCAMPIS Program is authorized by the Higher Education Act and administered by the U.S. Department of Education.  The goal of CCAMPIS is to increase access to post-secondary education for low-income parenting students by providing quality, affordable, and accessible childcare services while furthering their education.  Our current CCAMPIS grant funding supports Assistant Teachers' salaries, allowing for the Center to increase some of our classroom sizes.

This capstone course is a demonstration of developmentally appropriate early childhood teaching competencies under guided supervision. Students will utilize practical classroom experiences to make connections between theory and practice, develop professional behaviors and build a comprehensive understanding of children and families. Child-centered, play-oriented approaches to teaching, learning and assessment and knowledge of curriculum content areas will be emphasized as student teachers design, implement and evaluate experiences that promote positive development and learning for all young children. This course includes 102 hours of participation with young children in an approved early childhood (Butte College or Mentor) program.

Under SB 792, day care centers and family day care homes, as part of their licensure requirements, will have to maintain vaccination records for their employees and volunteers for influenza, pertussis, and measles as outlined below. Failure to maintain accurate records will be treated like any other violation of licensure requirements.

All lab students are considered volunteers under California Community Care Guidelines, therefore, must show proof of all SB792 vaccinations in hand before entry to lab participation, and have live-scan clearance. Please refer to your class syllabus guidelines on detailed instructions how to get “lab ready” if you are registering for any lab courses.