OXNARD — El Centrito Family Learning Centers, in partnership with First 5 Ventura County and the Ocean View School District, opened the new Little Dolphins Early Learning Program on Aug. 28, at the Ocean View Early Education Site (OVEES), creating spots for 24 two-year olds.
“Brain research clearly tells us that ages 0-5 are critical years for developing lifelong social, emotional and learning skills. We are proud to partner with El Centrito in bringing this important toddler program to Ocean View,” Claudia Harrison, executive director of First 5 Ventura County, stated in a media release.
First 5 Ventura County’s strategic investment in early education, coupled with the OVEES infrastructure and El Centrito’s expertise in early childhood education, creates a unique opportunity to offer a stimulating experience that capitalizes on the intensive brain development that occurs between birth and three years old. The strategic partnership increases Oxnard’s capacity to provide early education for two year olds and deepens the continuum of educational opportunity at OVEES, as it supports children from 24 months to 5 years when they transition to Kindergarten.
Craig Helmstedter, superintendent of the Ocean View School District, stated, “Ocean View is excited to support this partnership with El Centrito. Our partnership provides this opportunity for our families to participate in a toddler program. We know that students who attend quality programs out-perform their peers in future years.”
El Centrito’s Little Dolphins program supports the physical, social, emotional, cognitive, and language development of young children and is guided by best practices and criteria for high quality programs. Little Dolphins maintains a ratio of one adult to less than 5 children, which ensures that children build consistent relationships and have rich conversation. Additionally, Little Dolphins invites parents to volunteer in the classroom so that they learn about how to support their child’s development and practice strategies for boosting children’s language and cognitive development, which they then transfer to the home.
For more information on El Centrito Family Learning Centers, please visit: www.elcentrito.org.