Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Kinko’s involvement with the Center?
- What are the Center’s adult to child ratios?
- Does my child have to be potty trained in order to attend the Center?
- How is discipline handled?
- Is the Child Development Center open to the general public?
- How can I arrange a tour of the Center?
- Who works at the Child Development Center? College students?
- What is the family co-op program?
1. What is Kinko’s involvement with the Center?
Our program is named “Kinko’s Child Development Center” in honor of Paul Orfalea, the founder of Kinko’s, who made a very generous financial endowment to the Center. We continue to receive support from the Orfalea Family Foundation and network with other programs endowed by the foundation.
2. What are the Center’s adult to child ratios?
In our 2-year-old classrooms, an adult to child ratio of 1:7 is maintained. The maximum group size may be 13 or 20, depending on the classroom.
In our regular 3- and 4-year-old classrooms, an adult to child ratio of 1:10 with a maximum group size of twenty is maintained.
In our family co-op program, an adult to child ratio of 1:6 with a maximum group size of 23 is maintained.
3. Does my child have to be potty trained in order to attend the Center?
No. Toileting assistance is available in both our 2-year-old classroom and our older 2/young 3-year-old classroom.
Young children most often act out when they are bored or frustrated. When necessary, staff members redirect children to an activity that will better meet their needs. Staff also help children learn to express their feelings verbally so that they can resolve conflicts with others. Providing a good adult to child ratio allows Center staff to maintain visual supervision of children at all times and prevent many situations from becoming problems. For toddlers, providing multiples of the same item is especially important, as it minimizes the need to wait for turns. Open communication between Center staff and families helps us work together as a team to best meet each child’s individual needs.
5. Is the Child Development Center open to the general public?
Yes. Ventura College students have priority for enrollment, but children of faculty and staff and community members are welcome as space allows.
6. How can I arrange a tour of the Center?
Call 648-8930 to make an appointment with the director, Robin Douglas.
7. Who works at the Child Development Center? College students?
The Center is staffed with both permanent college staff and student instructional aides. The permanent staff members serve as lead teachers in the early childhood classrooms and hold Child Development Center Permits issued by the California Department of Education or have completed equivalent coursework. Ventura College students who have completed some coursework in child development serve as instructional aides in our classrooms. Both permanent staff and student aides must pass background checks conducted by the California Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation before working in our Center.
8. What is the family co-op program?
The family co-op is a preschool program for 3, 4, and 5-year-olds where adult family members (parents, grandparents, and aunts and uncles) help in the classroom under the supervision of paid program staff, creating a warm family atmosphere. The extra adult help allows us to provide an even higher quality preschool program than we could otherwise, while keeping fees to families low.
Ventura College, 4667 Telegraph Road, Ventura, CA 93003 (805) 654-6400