Ray Ellison Family Center

The Ray Ellison Family Center follows the calendar of Palo Alto College. In addition, the Ray Ellison Family Center schedules certain days as closed for staff development. Parents will be notified well in advance of closures.

The curriculum emphasizes developmentally appropriate play experiences and is designed to promote the general well-being of the whole child by:

• Developing safe and healthy habits in young children with an emphasis on proper hygiene, sound nutrition, exercise and physical care.
• Fostering positive self-esteem.
• Providing opportunities for creative expression.
• Supporting the development of social skills such as sharing, cooperation, generosity and empathy.
• Stimulating cognitive problem-solving skills with an emphasis on the concepts of cause and effect, classification, serialization, space, time, numbers, shape, and colors.
• Strengthening communication skills necessary for listening, reading, writing, and speaking by providing an environment rich in the practical uses of words.
• Enhancing fine motor and gross motor skills
• Practicing decision making by selecting activities from a variety of learning centers (i.e. language, sensory, science, blocks, manipulatives).

For the specific objectives addressed at each age level, consult with your child's teacher. Developmentally appropriate activities are planned and implemented in each group. The daily schedules provide for a balance between child-directed and teacher-directed activities, quiet and active time, as well as inside and outside play. Children have daily opportunities to read books, use a variety of art media, explore math and science materials, experience music, and work alone or together with friends.

Parent Handbook

CCAMPIS Spring Application

Ray Ellison Family Center Enrollment Application

The REFC prepares and provides breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack for all the children. Meals are served family style (with teachers and children sitting at the table together) encouraging children's social and language development as well as self-help skills. Children are encouraged to taste all foods served but are not required to eat any particular food item.

The foods children eat influence their growth and development, capacity to learn, and overall behavior. As participants in the Special Nutrition Program, menus are nutritionally balanced according to the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program Guidelines and the TDFPS Minimum Standards for Child Care Centers.

A morning meal is served between 8:45 and 9:30 a.m. We begin serving lunch at 11:30 a.m. with the lunch count being based on the number of children at the REFC by 9:15 a.m. An afternoon snack is also served at 2:30 p.m., after nap time. If a child has any food allergies, the school must be notified in writing by the child's physician including the symptoms resulting from the allergy, the steps to take in case of a reaction and specific food substitutions and precautions to be taken. No food, gum, drinks, or candy will be allowed from home.

Copies of the menu are posted at each classroom and can be requested from the Office. Variations to menus are developed individually for the purpose of meeting children's ethnic, religious, or dietary restrictions/preferences.

Two different schedules are available to meet students' needs as indicated below

Schedules and Fees*

Monday-Friday
Monday-Thursday

Rates vary depending on classification status. There is a $40 non-refundable registration fee pers semester. Please contact REFC for further information.

Priority for enrollment is given to Palo Alto College students, but availability is open to the community as space permits. Familites on CCDS are welcome.