The Langara Child Development Centre has been a part of Langara College since 1970. It originally accommodated 25 children three to five years of age. The current facility was built by the college in 1999. The program was expanded in response to the growing need for day care spaces in the college community.
As a college service under the responsibility of the Director of Ancillary Services, the primary role of the centre is to provide childcare services to the college's student and employee populations. It also serves other functions in the college. The centre is a practicum placement site for students in the Langara College Early Childhood Education program as well as other colleges' ECE programs. Theory taught in the classroom is put into practice in our centre, where students gain practicum experience under the supervision of the day care staff and ECE faculty.
Many other departments in the college use the centre as an opportunity for learning. Students in college programs such as Human Performance and Recreation, Nursing, Psychology, Special Education Assistants, Photography and Journalism spend time observing or interacting with staff and children in ways appropriate to their areas of study. Our involvement with these college programs and others enhances our centre and enriches the individual care and attention that the children receive.