Revised June 2026

The Orfalea Family and ASI Children’s Center is funded in part by ASI fees paid by Cal Poly students. The ASI Children’s Center mission is to provide quality early care and education services to the Cal Poly campus community.

 

Application Acceptance Timeline

The timeline for acceptance of waiting list applications is as follows:

• Application Open: Mar. 1–Nov. 30, 2026
• Application Closed: Dec. 1, 2026–Feb. 28, 2027
• No exceptions will be made to this timeline

Application Fee

There is a one-time, non-refundable $50.00 application fee per child which is due within two weeks of submitting the application online. Confirmation that we have received your waiting list application will be sent via email to the primary parent/guardian, following verification of Cal Poly affiliation. If the application fee is not received within two weeks, the application will be voided and a new application will need to be submitted, no exceptions.

Cal Poly Students are exempt from the application fee. Application fees are accepted in person or by mail only. Payment may be made via check or Credit/Debit card; All major credit cards are accepted. Cash is not accepted.

Please mail checks to Associated Students, Inc. (in the memo line, include Child’s Name):

ASI Children’s Center

1 Grand Ave., Building 133

San Luis Obispo, CA 93407-0495

 

Children’s Center Definitions

Students: Students currently enrolled in a degree-awarding program at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo that pays full ASI fees as a part of their tuition. Students participating in the Dependent Fee Waiver program qualify for student status. Not included are those students enrolled through Cal Poly Continuing Education as tuition for this program does not include ASI fees. Also excluded are Staff and Faculty participating in the State Fee Waiver Program.

Subsidized Families: Low-income Cal Poly parents who qualify for financial assistance as provided by the California Department of Education’s Child Development Division or the California Department of Social Services.

Faculty/Staff: Current employees receiving paychecks from ASI, Cal Poly (State), or Cal Poly Partners. Professors working solely through the Continuing Education Program are not considered to be faculty of the University nor are those employed through temporary or personnel agencies.

Alumni: Former students who have received their degree from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.

Community: Community members that are not affiliated with Cal Poly as shown above.

 

Waiting List Priority

Priority: Subsidized students are given the highest priority, based on the income guidelines set by the California Department of Education or the California Department of Social Services, followed by students that do not qualify for subsidized childcare. Cal Poly faculty/staff follow students in the waiting list priority. Siblings of children currently enrolled in the center are given priority over other applicants within each priority category.

Non-Priority: Alumni and community members have non-priority status and will be accommodated only after the campus needs for each particular age group has been met. Due to limited space and an extensive waiting list, applications from community families are not accepted until a child turns three years old.

 

Applicant Verification

The Children’s Center verifies the status of all students and staff/faculty applicants. If Cal Poly affiliation cannot be verified, the center will request proof of employment and/or proof of university acceptance via email. Proof of acceptance is required by the student parent if a waiting list application is submitted prior to a student enrolling in classes at the University. Similarly, proof of job acceptance is required by the staff/faculty if a waiting list application is submitted prior to the first date of employment. Submission of this information is required to move forward with the application.

Accepting Enrollment

When a space becomes available:

1. The Children’s Center will contact the family by email. Please make sure that the email used to submit your waiting list application is kept up to date. This includes during parental leave.
2. The Children’s Center will begin by offering full-time spots based on availability. All infant/toddler enrollment is a full time Monday-Friday spot.
3. Parents/guardians must respond to this email within 48 hours to accept the spot, sign up for a program tour, or decline the spot.
4. All parents/guardians are welcome to attend the optional tour, even if a spot is accepted immediately.
5. If a parent/guardian is attending a tour to determine acceptance, a decision must be made 48 hours after the tour.
6. If a spot is declined, your child will be removed from the waiting list.
7. If a spot is accepted, parents/guardians will be given a new enrollment packet. The new enrollment paperwork and the $600 refundable deposit must be submitted by the designated deadline. Failure to do so will result in losing the enrollment spot.
8. Prior to your first day, families will meet with the child’s teacher to learn more about the classroom

 

Declining Enrollment

Beginning summer term 2026, when a space for enrollment is offered a family may decline the space once. When a family declines a spot, the child’s name will be removed from the waiting list. A new application and fee must be completed if the family wishes to return the child to the list at a later date.

 

Change of Status

We understand that there may be instances in which a family’s status will change. It is important to communicate these changes to us at your earliest convenience so that we can change the status of your application. This allows us to offer a space following our priorities and prevents a misunderstanding if space is offered when a child is not actually eligible due to an incorrect status.

Some examples of a status change may be:

1. A Cal Poly Student graduate and is now considered Alumni status.
2. A Cal Poly Student is not enrolled in classes during an academic term. (It is the parent’s responsibility to inform us when re-enrolled in classes with the university).
3. A Cal Poly Student graduates and accepts a Staff/Faculty position at Cal Poly immediately after graduation.
4. A Cal Poly Staff/Faculty member leaves employment with the university.

If a family’s status change occurs AFTER their child is enrolled at the Children’s Center, the family must notify the Children’s Center immediately. This will ensure that the proper billing rate is being charged to the family at the time the status change occurs. Policies regarding status changes will follow the Orfalea Family and ASI Children’s Center Policy Manual.

 

Waiting List Information Updates

The Children’s Center will send out ”Waiting List Update” forms once per year by email in February. Families who do not complete and return the forms by the due date will be automatically removed from the waiting list. If the deadline is missed in error, a new application and fee must be submitted. Please ensure that you have the most current email on file for both parent/guardians by calling the Children’s Center at (805) 756-1267.

 

Children with Diagnosed Special Needs

We are committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment where all children feel valued, respected, and supported. Children with special developmental needs are welcomed into our program when we can appropriately meet their needs within the classroom setting and ensure a positive experience for the child, their peers, and our staff.

Our teachers thoughtfully adapt the classroom environment, materials, and daily activities to support each child’s individual strengths and areas of growth. We believe that strong partnerships with families are essential to this process. We encourage parents and guardians to seek available support for their child, such as assessments, screenings, and therapeutic services, and to share relevant information about their child’s history, services, or educational plans with our team.

If your child has an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP), please inform the center upon enrollment or at the time of diagnosis and provide a copy of the plan. We also ask that you meet with your child’s teacher to discuss your child’s developmental and educational goals and explore how the classroom can help support progress toward those goals. When appropriate, we welcome collaboration with your child’s therapists or service providers to help ensure continuity of care and the best possible learning environment.

While we strive to accommodate a wide range of needs, there may be times when additional outside support is necessary to ensure a child’s success in our setting. In some cases, inclusion of supplementary services may be required, as the center is not always able to provide additional one-on-one staffing. If referrals for special services are needed, please speak with your child’s teacher or the Director. We are here to partner with you and will work together to determine the most supportive path forward for your child.

 

Waiting List Status Inquiries

The Children’s Center currently cannot accommodate all the needs of those wishing to enroll. Children’s Center staff is available to confirm that a child is on the waiting list. Staff will not identify where a child is on the waiting list, as students with dependents have priority. Harassment, disrespect, and/or frequently calling and demanding information due to frustration that a child has been on the list for longer than expected will not be tolerated. Anyone who harasses or threatens a staff member will be reported to the campus police and their child will be removed from the waiting list. Reapplication will not be permitted.

 

Please call the Children’s Center at 805-756-1267 with any questions.

The Waitlist Application is now open through Nov. 30, 2026