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)