UCI Child Care Services

UCI Child Care Services includes the Children’s Center preschool program, the Early Childhood Education Center preschool and pre-K classrooms, the Infant Toddler Center, and the Extended Day Center. The Infant Toddler Center serves children from three months to twelve years, and the Extended Day Center serves school-age children. The Children’s Center and Early Childhood Education Center are currently enrolling children in preschool and pre-K classrooms.

Programs

• Children’s Center preschool program — children from infancy through elementary school-age · One of four centers; currently enrolling children in preschool and pre-K classrooms.
• Early Childhood Education Center preschool and pre-K classrooms — children from infancy through elementary school-age · One of four centers; currently enrolling children in preschool and pre-K classrooms.
• Extended Day Center — school-age children · Serves school-age children.
• Infant Toddler Center — children from infancy through elementary school-age · One of four centers serving children from three months to twelve years.

At a glance

• Ages: 0–12 years old

About the provider

Child care has been part of the UCI campus almost since its inception. Verano Preschool opened in 1969, the UCI Children’s Center opened in 1972, the UCI Extended Day Center opened in 1978, the UCI Infant Toddler Center opened in 1980, and the Early Childhood Education Center opened in 1989. All of the programs are licensed by the Department of Social Services-Community Care Licensing Division, follow Title 22 rules and regulations, and subsidized centers follow Title 5 California Educational Code Regulations. The Early Childhood Education Center and Verano Preschool are accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, and all full-time staff hold a Child Development Permit and are certified in Pediatric First Aid and CPR.

Programs are guided by developmentally appropriate practice and a curriculum framework that includes the Outdoor Classroom, Mindfulness, Empathy and Compassion, and Anti-Bias Education. The centers emphasize diversity, equity, and inclusion. The calendar lists closures for Labor Day, Professional Development Days, Veteran's Day, Professional Development/Cleaning Days, and Winter Break.

Last updated October 11, 2026.