University of California, San Diego
Early Childhood Education Center
Day Care Expansion History


1969 A parent cooperative babysitting service was established by Josephine A. Foulks, initially providing care for 12 children.
1971 The cooperative affiliated with Student Affairs to obtain more space and better facilities, was assigned to the Pump House on Matthews Campus (now the site of the Visual Arts Bulding).  Josie was appointed full-time Director.
1974 Student Affairs purchased a trailer to increase capacity at the site to 32 slots.  The children were divided into two groups; infants were cared for in the trailer, and toddlers/preschoolers in the Pump House. 
1976 The Center became an official department of the University under Business Services, and the existing facilities and landscaping were improved. 
1983 A second trailer was purchased by the Chancellor to separate toddlers from preschoolers; total capacity increased to 58 slots.
1985 The Pump House deteriorated to the point where it had to be demolished.  The Center purchased a triple-wide trailer to be placed on the Pump House foundation, paying for the facility over a three year period, from operating revenues.  Total capacity increased to 75 slots.
1990 The Referral Service was founded to assist those UCSD families who were on the ECEC waiting list, or who needed off-campus care.
1991 The new Early Childhood Education Center was constructed on the grounds of the Mesa Apartments student housing on Regents Road.  Five classrooms were constructed with capacity increasing to 130 slots.  The Center was designed for future expansion of 50%. 
1992 A temporary facility was opened in a recreation room at the Mesa Apartments to accommodate 12 children of low-income parents qualified to receive subsidy under a new Federal Block Grant.
1995 Three additional classrooms were constructed and opened on October 1, 1995.  The Center can now accommodate 36 infants, 72 toddlers, and 96 preschoolers, including those children who moved from thhe temporary facility mentioned above.
1996 Infant program expanded to include children from 3-11 months; will serve 12 children in this age group.  (Available only through Fall 1997.)