SAN MARCOS: CSUSM day-care center growing rapidly

University students, faculty and staff members account for 40 percent of its users

By ANDREA MOSS - Staff Writer | Saturday, December 13, 2008 5:52 PM PST ∞

SAN MARCOS ---- Like the children it serves, Cal State San Marcos' 18-month-old day care center is growing quickly.

The 21,000-square-foot Center for Children and Families currently serves 120 children aged 5 and under. That's about five times the two dozen or so youngsters enrolled when the on-campus facility opened in August 2007.

Parents and staff members who use the center give it high marks for convenience, program quality and a nurturing environment that fosters intellectual and emotional development.

The center's rates initially sparked complaints because they were about double the fees charged at an off-campus day care facility that it replaced.

Center director Francesca Gallozzi said last week that the center's current rates remain higher than those charged by similar facilities in the area.

The university's students get a 30 percent discount on the rates, though, and CSUSM faculty and staff members get a 5 percent discount, she said.

The on-campus day care center also has smaller than usual student-to-teacher ratios, lower staff turnover and unique programs compared to similar facilities, Gallozzi said. Music, art and Celebrity Reader programs were among the examples she cited.

"For what we give, I don't think the fees are too high," Gallozzi said.

CSUSM student Krystal Pliego, 21, said she still knows people who would like to enroll their children at the center but can't afford to. Still, she said, she is thrilled with the care her 21-month-old son Jacob receives at the center and the peace of mind that comes with knowing he is nearby throughout her school day.

"I feel like it's a second family almost," said Pliego, who began using the center in August. "All of the staff (is) really nice and genuine, and they love the kids. I think they make an effort to make a personal connection with all of the kids."

Small class sizes

The $7.7 million day care center is run by Children's Creative Learning Centers, which specializes in campus- and employer-sponsored day care centers.

The facility, on the northeast corner of the campus, has a dozen classrooms, three outdoor play areas, a parent resource center, and full-size and children's kitchens. Nine of the classrooms are in use now. Infants as young as 6 weeks are cared for in one room, another is dedicated to toddlers, and others serve youngsters up to 5 years old who are divided up by age.

The center has a staff of 27 ---- 25 of whom are teachers. State licensing rules require each to complete just 12 units of child development classes before they are hired, but Gallozzi said many of her employees have bachelor's or associate degrees, making them "exceptionally qualified."

Student-to-teacher ratios are smaller than the state requires, as well, she said.

"Parents will say, 'nobody seems stressed,' " the director said. "I think that's because of the ratios ---- I think because of the ratios, the teachers are in focus and just kind of managing instead of trying to figure out how to handle everything."

The center doubles as a learning laboratory for students and interns in the university's nursing, psychology, child development and human development programs. Large observation windows offer those visitors as well as parents clear views into each classroom.

Cameras installed in every classroom also let parents log onto the Internet and see what their children are doing at any time. The center also offers flexible programming, including part-time, half-day and Tuesday-Thursday enrollment options, in an effort to meet the community's needs.

Happy voices

Bells and whistles don't always mean better care for the youngsters enrolled in a day care center, though. That's where the benefits of a competent and caring staff become apparent.

A recent morning visit to the center found all its occupants engaged in a variety of activities that seemed to be going smoothly despite the large number of children present. Voices rang out happily as different groups headed outside to play.

Gallozzi's appearance in a hallway brought several youngsters running up for hugs. And when she stepped out onto a playground filled with 4-year-olds, two little girls ran over and snuggled into the warmth of a long, knitted scarf the director was wearing.

As she watched children who were running around playing, Marie Schrab said she took a job at the center in February because the facility is close to her Escondido home. Once on the job, though, she quickly came to appreciate the small class sizes and caring staff, she said.

"Everybody plugs in for each other and helps out," Schrab said. "And I like being part of the university and having the students come over."

Contact staff writer Andrea Moss at (760) 739-6654 or amoss@nctimes.com.