Child Development Services
Easterseals Child Development Services serve families with children from birth to five years of age.
Overview
Easterseals Child Development Services go beyond early learning to help build strong, successful families.
Through our Head Start and Early Head Start programs, we work with parents and caregivers to support children's learning and their family's success.
See If You Qualify
Click your location below to learn more and see if your family qualifies:
Most services are free for families that qualify. In Ventura, the California State Preschool Program may have a small fee based on income.
We offer preschool and family support at our centers and in families homes. Our programs are:
- Safe and welcoming
- Full of fun learning tools
- Designed for each child’s needs
- Led by caring, trained teachers
- Open to children with and without disabilities
Why Families Choose Easterseals
- Friendly staff who care
We work with families to help children grow and learn-in our center or at home - More than just preschool
We offer health checkups, family support, and more. - We know our community
We help families find local resources like food, jobs, and housing support. - Respect for every family
Our programs are built to help you succeed and feel proud.
Families Are Always Welcome Here
At Easterseals, families are part of the team. You can read to kids, help at events, or join classroom activities—your time makes a big difference! You don’t need any special skills, just your time and a caring heart. If you’d like to get involved, ask your Family Support staff and we’ll help you get started.
Parent Handbook
Everything families need to know about enrollment, attendance, health and safety policies, family involvement opportunities, program expectations, and child development services.
Download the Child Development Services Parent Handbook here.
Para la versión en español, descargue aquí el Manual para Padres.
Take A Tour
Step inside one of our vibrant Child Development Centers and see how we create a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment where children learn, grow, and thrive.
From interactive classrooms to outdoor play areas, our centers are designed to support every stage of early childhood development.
Our Programs
Programs for Children (Birth to Age 5)
We offer free, high-quality early learning programs for families who qualify. These programs help children grow and learn while supporting parents and caregivers.
Early Head Start (prenatal to age 3)
Includes home visits, playgroups, and care for babies and toddlers.
Head Start (ages 3 to 5)
Preschool-style learning in safe, caring classrooms.
Inclusive Support
We welcome children with disabilities and create learning plans that fit their needs.
All programs include:
- Health and development checkups
- Nutritious meals and snacks
- Family coaching and support
- Help finding healthcare, therapy, and other services
Now Enrolling in San Bernardino, Ventura, and North San Diego County!
Head Start and Early Head Start spots are open!
We’re here to help you find the program that fits your family best.
*To apply for a space in our program for your child(ren), click on a button underneath your county and fill out the form. You will receive a call from an Easterseals family support worker within the next 14 days.
Customer Success
For questions or more information about Child Development Services, contact Easterseals Customer Success.
Email: customersuccess@essc.org
Phone: 1-855-ESSC-411 (1-855-377-2411)
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North San Diego County - Child Development Center
North San Diego CDCs offer Head Start, Day Care, and more! Highly qualified teachers and inclusive programs for all children. Apply now! -
San Bernardino County - Child Development Center
San Bernardino CDCs provide high-quality early learning and care in inclusive, supportive environments led by experienced educators. -
Ventura County - Child Development Center
Ventura County CDCs deliver nurturing, inclusive early learning environments led by caring educators, supporting every child’s growth from the start.
Our Stories
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Children's Services and Autism Services Work Together to Support Dominic with Achieving His Goals
When Dominic was born, doctors told his mom, Raquel, that he would never walk or talk due to his disability. Fast-forward several years, and Dominic is proving them wrong. -
Valeria Heads to College to Pursue Her Dream
“I was born to teach,” says Valeria who has always dreamed of working with children and, with support from Easterseals, is turning that passion into reality. -
Easterseals Autism Therapy Services Empowers a Mom to Help Her Son
Julie recalls Junior’s first year: speaking English and Spanish, eating everything, and charming everyone as a social butterfly. -
A ‘Head Start’ to Success: One Family’s Journey with Easterseals
Discover how Child Development Services has supported a mom and her daughter through many stages of life.
Resources
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Advice & Facts12 Early Childhood Activities That Support Child Development
Early childhood activities help young children build communication, motor, social, and problem-solving skills through play and everyday experiences. -
Research at Easterseals
The Research Department at Easterseals Southern California conducts state-of-the-art research to evaluate how well different therapies and services work, and if they can be improved to give individuals and their families the best chances to live, learn, work, and play in their communities. -
Advice & FactsWhy Is Early Years Education Important
Why is early years education important? It gives young children supportive opportunities to learn, play, communicate, move, and build relationships. -
Advice & FactsCaregiver Support: Resources for Family Caregivers
Caregiver support can help family members manage daily responsibilities, find resources, and care for their own well-being. Family caregivers provide many types of unpaid support.
Other Areas of Support
Support for Families
Our help doesn’t stop in the classroom. We offer families support that makes life better—at home, at work, and in the community.
Easterseals Child Development Centers sponsor the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), which helps provide nutritious meals and snacks to children in our programs at little or no cost to families. Learn more on about it on our CACFP page.
We can help with:
Job Support
We offer help with job training, writing resumes, and finding work through local programs.
Money Skills
Learn how to make a budget, save money, build credit, and get help with public benefits.
Housing Help
We don’t give housing directly, but we can help you fill out forms, connect with local programs, and understand how the housing system works.
Family Goals
Every family gets a partner to help set and reach goals—like going back to school, finding a job, or saving money.
From first steps to next steps—we’re here for you.
It takes a village. We’re yours.
Reach out to the Child Development Services location near you.
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