academic opportunities

Associated Students

EARLY
The Center is dedicated to the education and
training of future Early Childhood Educators and
therefore provides college students with opportunities
to observe and participate in our model program.
Once screened and approved by a program coordinator,
students may observe, implement curriculum,
conduct research and interviews for various course
CHILDHOOD
assignments. The Center is an internship site for the
Child and Adolescent Development Department at
SFSU and is included in the California Department
EDUCATION
of Education and WestED’s Program for Infant and
Toddler care training videos. CENTER
parents say
“I can’t thank you enough for making it possible to
complete my college education after having my son.
location
I always feel secure leaving him at the Center with
such helpful, caring staff.” The ASI Early Childhood Education Center is located in the
southwest corner of the SF State campus on State Drive and
“I love spending time in my child’s classroom!” Lake Merced Boulevard.
“As an educator and student parent, I greatly
appreciate the time that is given to me as well as my
children at our second home.” hours
We are open Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM to
5:30 PM and follow the University calendar for holiday
closures.

San Francisco State University

1650 Holloway Avenue CCSU C-134
San Francisco, CA 94132
415 338 2403
ecec@asi.sfsu.edu
www.asi.sfsu.edu
ASI
EARLY
CHILDHOOD
EDUCATION
CENTER
 Our mission
Since 1972, Associated Students Inc., (ASI) the stu-
dent government at San Francisco State University,
has provided student parents with quality childcare
for parents of children under the age of six. Sixteen
years later, the CSU Board of Trustees mandated
that, “No student be denied access to a CSU
campus or have his/her academic progress impaired
due to lack of adequate and affordable campus
childcare services.” Located on campus, the AS
Early Childhood Education Center offers families a
nurturing, child-centered learning environment that
supports the dispositions of curiosity, perseverance
and love of learning.
Our curriculum
The Center supports the development of each child
with a curriculum that is both developmentally
appropriate and Reggio-inspired. Through child
observation and reflection, teachers create learn-
ing environments that emphasize the creative arts,
outdoor play and language activities in order to foster
self-confidence and the desire to work together. We
believe that children are natural researchers who are innate-
ly curious and intrinsically motivated to search for meaning
by wondering, exploring and interacting with the world
around them and engaging in relationships with others.
Classroom projects and activities vary from room to
room and year-to-year depending on the inter-
ests of the children enrolled. Some of our ongoing
activities include storytelling, block building, collage,
gardening and water play. Teachers share ongoing
classroom activities with parents through their
newsletters, documentation panels, child portfolios
and conferences. To implement our curriculum we
offer adult:child ratios that are 1:3 for infants with
a group size of six, 1:4 for toddlers with a group size
of eight or twelve, and 1:8 for preschoolers with a
group size of sixteen.
parent involvement
The Center encourages parents to drop-in and
observe, participate in classroom activities and
discuss parenting issues with the head teachers,
coordinators and director. Following an orientation
meeting and home visit, teachers and coordinators
work together with parents to provide a rich and
welcoming environment for each child. Parents also
participate by helping with Center maintenance and
serving on our Parent Group (PG). PG members
discuss Center policies and procedures, plan potlucks,
organize parent workshops and fundraising activities
admission
The Center enrolls children in part-time or full-time
schedules four times a year with currently enrolled
families and those from its Wait List. Student par-
ents receive enrollment priority, and limited child-
care space is available for SFSU faculty, staff and
Center alumni. Applications are available via email
the teaching team and tours of the facility are offered by a program
coordinator.
The Center’s strength rests on the collective interests,
enthusiasm, knowledge and hard work of the teaching
team. Our teachers and administrators hold either a B.A.
or M.A. in Early Childhood Education and the California
Commission on Teacher Credentialing Child Development
Permit at the Site Supervisor Level or higher. Several
teachers are certified trainers for the Program for Infant
and Toddler Care, a teacher-training program sponsored
by the California Department of Education and WestED.
Some teachers and administrators are also instructors at
the University and local Community Colleges.
The teacher assistants are students at SF State and selected
for their child development background and desire to
work with children. They are offered flexible work shifts,
on-going staff training and hands-on learning experiences.
The Center enhances its program for children and families
through the use of a professional storyteller, mental health
consultants and classroom volunteers/interns.