Ray Ellison Family Center

The Ray Ellison Family Center offers an early childhood program that supports each child's social, emotional, cognitive, language, and physical development. Teachers create lesson plans based on the child's interests, ideas, and early learning needs. Additionally, parents are an essential part of our program, and we aim to establish a respectful partnership with student parents/guardians and keep the lines of communication open.

Highlights

Frog Street curriculum for overall development and well-being of each child through a play-based approach
Low-cost childcare for PAC student parents
Financial assistance available
Attend class knowing that your child is in good hands

Enrollment Eligibility

Enrollment is conducted on a semester-by-semester basis:

Must be a Palo Alto College student, faculty, or staff
Students must be enrolled in at least six semester credit hours at Palo Alto College
Students must maintain a 2.0 GPA

Services

Drop-in Services

Located on the Palo Alto College campus, the REFC offers convenient childcare so that student parents can work towards achieving their goal of attaining an associate degree or certificate. The center provides low teacher-to-child ratios, a USDA food program, degreed early childhood teachers, and a nationally accredited program. Schedule a tour today!

Ages: 18 months to 5 years

Hours of operation
Fall and Spring
• 8 a.m. - 12 p.m., Monday through Thursday*
• 1– 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday*
*As an exempt program, a child cannot be in care for more than 4 hours a day and 12 hours a week.

Full-day Services

Parents may qualify for off-site services at Ascension DePaul Children's Center, where they learn and grow in a dynamic, culturally inclusive, mentally and physically stimulating environment designed to encourage curiosity and creativity as well as prepare them for grade school. In addition, two nutritionally balanced meals and a snack daily are served.

Ages: 6 weeks to 5 years