Find the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about:
Our School
Q: What is CGC?
A: Children’s Growing Center (CGC) is a licensed, church-related school serving the families of San Diego and centrally located in Mission Valley.
Q: Are you a licensed school?
A: Yes, CGC is licensed with California State Community Care Licensing. Our license numbers are #372005231 for infants and toddlers and #372000393 for our preschool and kindergarten.
Q: When are you open?
A: CGC is open Monday through Friday 7 AM–6 PM.
Q: What days are you closed?
A: In addition to four staff development days per year, we are closed on all public holidays plus the week between Christmas and New Year's.
Q: What’s your curriculum like?
A: The development of the “whole child” is essential. Our educational program emphasizes physical, emotional, social, cognitive and spiritual growth, which is planned and implemented by our quality staff.
We believe in the importance of an educationally–developed environment to facilitate a child’s ability to investigate, explore, and experiment. Play is the medium through which learning takes place.
Q: What are the religious aspects of CGC?
A: The children say a little prayer before they eat, attend Chapel Time once a week, beginning at age 3 or 4, and attend VBS (Vacation Bible School) one week in July, beginning at age 4, as well as celebrating holidays. Contact CGC for more detailed information.
Phone: 619-295-1915.
Children and Parents
Q: What ages do you serve?
A: The Children’s Growing Center (CGC) serves children 0–6 in classrooms from infant to kindergarten.
Q: Do you allow cloth diapers in the infant or toddler room?
A: No, unfortunately we don't have the space to accommodate individual diaper disposal bags.
Q: Are there any requirements regarding parent involvement?
A: CGC is a non-profit school and we rely on our parent’s participation in our fundraisers and events throughout the year. We ask that each family volunteer on at least one committee during the year, as well as donating to our fundraisers. CGC is a community and there are many opportunities for you to lend a hand (fieldtrips, classroom parties, committees, etc) and get to know your fellow parents. We have a lot of fun and we love to see your face around our school. See Parent Involvement...
Tuition and Enrollment
Q: What is the tuition?
A: See our tuition rates.
Q: Can I enroll my child part-time?
A: Children may attend on a part-time or full-time (three or five days) basis. We do have an enrichment program 9 AM–12:30 PM, which is also offered in a three or five-day basis. The enrichment program is not available to the infant, toddler, or kindergarten programs. There is no switching of contracted days but extra days may be added at an additional cost, if space is available.
Q: Do you have a waiting list?
A: You may fill out an online waiting list form and let us know your needs for child care. Be sure to check-in every few months to let us know if you’re still interested or if any of your needs have changed. We will remove children off our waiting list if we haven’t heard from you in a year.
Q: Does CGC accept subsidized childcare programs?
A: Sorry, CGC does not accept subsidized programs.
Q: Are there any extra fees?
A: There is a registration fee and annual fee. There are staff also fees for late payments, late pick-ups, returned payments, and status changes See Additional fees and Discounts... We also have a teacher appreciation committee who will ask you to donate a couple times a year towards treats and gifts for the teachers.
Our Staff
Q: What are the qualifications of your teachers?
A: The minimal qualifications for a licensed early childhood teacher are 12 specific ECE college units along with six months experience. Our staff exceeds these qualifications. Their experience and education vary with most currently holding childcenter permits or degrees.
Q: What is the teacher/child ratio?
A: Our program includes infant (0–18 months) with a 1:4 teacher/child ratio; toddler (18–30 months) with a 1:6 ratio; preschool (2 ½-4 years) and Kindergarten (5–6 years) with a 1:12 ratio.
Q: What is your staff turn-over like?
A: We are proud to say that our staff turn-over is extremely low. Most staff members have been here between 5–20 years.