Center for Early Childhood Education

teacher helping children at table
kindergartener smiling while presenting to class
two toddlers playing with cars at table
infant watering plants outside
teacher helping kindergartener with work
child cutting paper
kindergartener smiling at table while writing
child cutting paper and child writing at table
children showing play-dough to teacher
two toddlers playing at table
children playing in water bucket with soap
children doing various activities at table
child painting at table
toddlers listening to story
children drawing at table
infant laying on mat on back

What to Expect

Thank you for your interest in the University of California, Riverside, Center for Early Childhood Education. We love teaching and caring for children as we assist the University in its educational and research mission. Our best suggestion for getting an idea of what CECE is like is to call and book a tour with one of our site supervisors. They will spend about 15 minutes giving you a tour of a classroom that is appropriate to your child's development and do their best to answer all your questions.

  • Application Process

    The UCR CECE welcomes applications from UCR staff, faculty, and students, as well as the local community. Priority is given to families who already have a child in CECE and then to UCR affiliated parents. (We apologize, but this does not include UCR Alumni who are not current students, faculty, or staff.) For UCR students the application fee is waived and they may apply online. For all others there is a $30 fee per child. We can only accept a check or money order made out to UC Regents.

    Application Process

  • Waiting List

    Our waiting list can grow and shrink unpredictably and you should contact the Enrollment Coordinator to get an idea of what it is like at the time you read this. We often have a long waiting list, sometimes as long as six months to a year for infants and toddlers. For this reason, we suggest that women put in an application to CECE as soon they know they are pregnant. Preschool children have a shorter wait, but a queue almost always develops near the start of the school year. Once you are offered a space you will usually be asked to accept or decline within one business day.

    Waiting List

  • Full Day And Partial Week Care

    Our preschool offers full day care only. We don't offer part day, after school, or drop-in single day care. For preschool age (3 and up) we offer partial week care, but only if a family can be found to complete the days of the week to maximize our enrollment. For instance, we often match families needing Tuesday/Thursday care with families who need Monday/Wednesday/Friday care.

    Full Day And Partial Week Care

  • Late Charge

    A late charge of $1 per minute is billed for any child care service provided after the contracted hours.

  • Students And Assisted Funding

    UCR CECE has a limited number of funding assisted spaces, subsidized by the California Department of Education. Your family may qualify, based on your need and income level. Please be sure to fill out the application for funding assistance and provide all requested documentation. For UCR students who receive financial aid, you very likely qualify for free or much reduced child care fees to assist you with your school and work time. Once you are offered a funding assisted space, the enrollment coordinator will work with you to properly establish your need (education, work, seeking work, or disability) and income level. If you are a student you will need to maintain a minimum grade level.

    Students And Assisted Funding