About the Children's Center
ASI Children’s Programs provides early childhood care for the Cal Poly community including students, faculty, and staff. Comprehensive curriculum is incorporated into all classrooms, focusing on the children’s interests, ideas and discoveries.
Meet Our Team
Our Teaching Staff
The Children’s Center staffing is comprised of head teachers and teachers. All head teachers have a BA/BS degree in child development or a related field, at least 2 years of experience and a California Children’s Center Permit. Teachers have a minimum of 12—24 units in early childhood education and at least 1 year of experience. Cal Poly students from various majors make up the remaining staff ratios. All staff that work at the Orfalea Family and ASI Children’s Center are fingerprint cleared through the Department of Justice and receive background checks.
Student Staff
The student staff is comprised of students attending Cal Poly from a variety of majors and interests. Student employment is an important part of our program. While not all students will become future teachers, we believe we are providing training that will carry into their future as employees and as parents.
Facilities
The Orfalea Family and ASI Children’s Center is comprised of six classrooms ranging from infant/toddler to Transitional Kindergarten (TK) and an art atelier. The center follows the standards set by the California Department of Education and the National Association for the Education of Young Children. The center also acts as an Outdoor Classroom Demonstration Site. All facilities are regularly inspected and licensed by the California Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division.
Food Program
The ASI Children’s Program participates in the Federal Child Care Food Program and meets all USDA guidelines for nutritional food service for children. Meals and snacks are prepared in our kitchen and include a wide variety of foods including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and proteins. Children are taught to enjoy a wide variety of healthy food options. Meals include: breakfast, lunch, and multiple snacks throughout the day. Meals, formula, and baby food are included with the price of tuition.
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.
Allergies and Food Preferences
The Children’s Center is able to accommodate medically necessary food allergy substitutions and either religious or personal belief dietary restrictions such as vegetarian, no pork, etc. We are not able to accommodate an organic or gluten free diet. Families will be asked to provide food and opt out of the Food Program when a gluten allergy exists. Our center is not “nut free”. However, we are able to provide a nut free option.
