Child Educational Center
Palm Crest Elementary School, 140 Foothill Blvd, La Cañada, CA 91011
About
Child Educational Center offers nature- and play-based learning that includes mud boxes, sandboxes, paint, and other messy experiences. The program uses a progressive philosophy founded on science-backed methods of nature- and play-based learning. Respectful care practices include informing infants before picking them up, respecting toddlers’ need to explore and repeat activities, and providing spaces and materials for preschoolers to be messy, loud, and active.
• Ages: 0–12 years old
• Schedule: Monday–Friday, 7:00 am–6:00 pm
The Child Educational Center is a nationally accredited childcare and educational organization whose programs have served as a leader in early childhood education since 1979. Its mission is to ignite joy, curiosity, and compassion through innovative children’s programs for all, with a vision of a world in which all children are valued, thrive, and reach their full potential. The organization states values of Excellence, Respect, Service, Openness, Diversity, Integrity, Innovation, and Nurturing, and emphasizes nurturing children’s physical and psychological well-being. The leadership team includes Allegra Inganni, Co-Executive Director and Director of School-Age Program; Ellen Veselack, Co-Executive Director and Director of Infant, Toddler, and Preschool Programs; Seta Matossian, Chief Financial Officer; Danielle Jenkins, Director of Human Resources; Chuck Sawyer, Director of Advancement; Lisa Cain-Chang, Director of Operations; Analise Gay, Director of Enrollment; and Denise Alvarado, Lead Teacher Mentor since 1985. The CEC is licensed by the state of California as a community care center under Title 22 for its Infant, Toddler, Preschool, and School-Age Program sites, with separate licenses for each site. The program describes a partnership approach with families, recognizing families as experts in knowing their children, and states a notice of nondiscriminatory policy as to students, including non-discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, and national and ethnic origin. The Child Educational Center notes service to the broader community and acknowledges the Tongva people as the traditional caretakers of Tovaangar and its location on unceded Tongva land, and pays respects to ancestors, elders, and their relatives and relations, past, present, and emerging. One testimonial describes the center as “a magical, wonderful place” that “changes people, their hearts, and their minds in ways that enrich us forever,” attributed to Denise Alvarado, Lead Teacher Mentor since 1985.
Last updated July 2, 2026.
• Ages: 0–12 years old
• Schedule: Monday–Friday, 7:00 am–6:00 pm
The Child Educational Center is a nationally accredited childcare and educational organization whose programs have served as a leader in early childhood education since 1979. Its mission is to ignite joy, curiosity, and compassion through innovative children’s programs for all, with a vision of a world in which all children are valued, thrive, and reach their full potential. The organization states values of Excellence, Respect, Service, Openness, Diversity, Integrity, Innovation, and Nurturing, and emphasizes nurturing children’s physical and psychological well-being. The leadership team includes Allegra Inganni, Co-Executive Director and Director of School-Age Program; Ellen Veselack, Co-Executive Director and Director of Infant, Toddler, and Preschool Programs; Seta Matossian, Chief Financial Officer; Danielle Jenkins, Director of Human Resources; Chuck Sawyer, Director of Advancement; Lisa Cain-Chang, Director of Operations; Analise Gay, Director of Enrollment; and Denise Alvarado, Lead Teacher Mentor since 1985. The CEC is licensed by the state of California as a community care center under Title 22 for its Infant, Toddler, Preschool, and School-Age Program sites, with separate licenses for each site. The program describes a partnership approach with families, recognizing families as experts in knowing their children, and states a notice of nondiscriminatory policy as to students, including non-discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, and national and ethnic origin. The Child Educational Center notes service to the broader community and acknowledges the Tongva people as the traditional caretakers of Tovaangar and its location on unceded Tongva land, and pays respects to ancestors, elders, and their relatives and relations, past, present, and emerging. One testimonial describes the center as “a magical, wonderful place” that “changes people, their hearts, and their minds in ways that enrich us forever,” attributed to Denise Alvarado, Lead Teacher Mentor since 1985.
Last updated July 2, 2026.
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