Program Information

Orfalea Early Learning Center
A Program of Santa Barbara City College and Early Childhood Education Lab School


Orfalea Early Learning Center is the childcare program for Santa Barbara City College. The center is also the student teaching lab program for the Early Childhood Education Department (ECE).
The center serves children 6 months to 5 years of age or until they enter kindergarten.

The center is licensed by the California Community Care Licensing Department.
Preschool (421702687)
Infant Center (426210205). 


Orfalea Early Learning Center is open the college academic year August - May and operates 16 weeks each semester.

Preschool program hours:
7:30 am to 4:30 pm, Mon. – Thurs. & 7:30-3:00 Fri.   Every 3rd Friday closing at 12:30 pm

 Infant/toddler and twos program hours:
7:30 am -4:30 pm Mon. – Thurs. & 7:30-3:00 Fri.  Every 3rd Friday closing at 12:30 pm

 OELC observes all college holidays.


Beth Rizo (the director) has a M.A in Early Childhood Education and has worked with children, families and student teachers for over 40 years.  The staff consists of 5 full time teachers (2) working with children 3 and under and (3) working with children 3 and older.  Alyssa Binder (Blue Group Teacher) is the Head Teacher for our program and has worked for the center for over 22 years.  There are 6-8 part time teachers (interns) that have the opportunity to expand their skills in supervision, leadership and effective classroom management.  All teachers and staff have a fingerprint clearance and hold a Child Development Permit from the California Commission of Teaching Credentialing.  There is also a Lab Teaching Assistant (Kathy King) working with Early Childhood Education Students completing there student teaching hours.


Infant/Toddler Program (children 3 and under)

The environment promotes children to actively explore, experience all aspects of learning and develop social relationships with peers and adults.

PRESCHOOL PROGRAM (children 3 and older )
The environment encourages children to choose freely from a wide range of play and learning activities that enhance the individual growth and development of each child within a group setting.

CLASSROOM RATIOS

Infants/Toddlers 1:4 (one adult to 4 toddlers)

2-year olds 1:5 (one adult to 5 children)

Preschool 1:8 (one adult to every 8 children)


The Santa Barbara Community College District has adopted both policy and procedures to ensure that its programs and activities are available to all persons without regard to ethnic identification, religion, age, sex, color, physical or mental disability, or sexual orientation.