UC Berkeley Early Childhood Education Program

The UC Berkeley Early Childhood Education Program offers infant and toddler care and play-based preschool. Children learn through play with child-initiated free choice, teacher-initiated activities, individual exploration, group projects, indoor and outdoor activity stations, free play, cooperative play, circle time, singing, and field trips.

Programs

• Infant/Toddler Care — infants and toddlers · Program follows the Program for Infant/Toddler Care (PITC) and provides relationship-based care.
• Play-based Preschool — preschoolers · Play-based preschool with child- and teacher-initiated activities, free play, cooperative play, circle time, singing, and field trips.

At a glance

• Ages: 0–5 years old
• General schedule: Children learn through play. The program includes child-initiated free choice and teacher-initiated activities, individual exploration, group projects, indoor and outdoor activity stations, and for preschoolers free play, cooperative play, circle time, singing, and field trips.
• Facility hours: Monday-Friday, 8:15 a.m. - 5:15 p.m.

About the provider

The program is open to UC Berkeley students, faculty and staff, as well as members of the local community who are unaffiliated with UC Berkeley. Its leadership team includes Executive Director Moises Roman, Admissions Coordinator Marina Moreida, Office Administrator Eli Cruz, and Training and Research Coordinator Luvy Vanegas-Grimaud. The program says it teaches UC Berkeley’s youngest students in a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment that sparks curiosity and inspires a life-long love for inquiry, research, reflection, and action.

As a public agency, the programs refrain from religious instruction and worship. The program serves infants, toddlers, and preschoolers at five centers in Berkeley and Albany.

What families say

“Our child is clearly loved, nurtured, and heard by his teachers, in ways that go above and beyond what we expected. We also see the children are challenged to grow and experience different things, while also having ample opportunities to develop their own personal style and interests.” — ECEP Parent

“I love our teachers. They do a great job loving my child, but also teaching him.” — ECEP Parent

“Our son has been with the same teachers for 3 years. Our center feels like a family, which is important for those living away from the family (grandparents, aunts and uncles).” — ECEP Parent

Last updated November 8, 2026.