Who We Are
Leona (previously San Jacinto) Child Development Center is our newest center and is located on the east side of campus. Our philosophy, executed by early childhood teachers, is to create positive, impactful indoor and outdoor learning environments for young children. Our service provides working parents and students of the University the ability to perform their jobs and complete their studies.
What We’re Fundraising For
The child development center initiatives for the 40 for Forty campaign highlight our commitment to providing quality experiences for young children.
Expanding our center library - reading books with caring adults has been shown to benefit children in almost all aspects of their development including thier social/emotional, language, and cognitive abilities. We use donated funds to provide a high-quality and diverse selection of books for teachers to choose from as they plan curriculum.
Enhancing our manipulative and science areas - hands-on experience with a diverse array of manipulatives helps children build fine motor skills and early math concepts such as numeracy, one-to-one correspondance, and categorization. High-quality science materials help children observe, explore, and build connections with the world around them.
Your Impact
"The love for learning that UTCDC nurtures in my children is overflowing! From the moment you walk in the door every morning and afternoon, you are greeted by staff who are truly excited to see your children. It's more than a child development center - it is a family." -Shaleiah Fox
"We were so excited to hear that Amelia had received a spot at UT CDC San Jacinto. We had moved to UT CDC from another child care center and immediately saw the change in Amelia. She has thrived over the last year and a half. The emotional and cognitive growth was immediate. We attribute the growth, in part, to the curriculum, teachers and staff of UTCDC.
The teachers and staff are always friendly, engaging and make Amelia feel loved and cared for. Amelia absolutely loves her teachers and class mates.
I work in the same building so it makes it so much easier for me to do my job knowing that she is so close and is in good hands. It brings comfort to hear everyone from teachers, admin staff and kitchen staff greet her by name. The environment is warm, welcoming and encouraging. The staff encourage families to engage in the classrooms and with the center as a whole." -Lizet Villagrana
"UT CDC at San Jacinto has taken such amazing care of our kiddo. I have a huge sense of relief knowing that my child is not only well cared for but learning and happy every day. The teachers and administrative staff care about each and every child that walks through the door. The community and sense of belonging and support is so important – from the classroom to playing on the stumps after school – it’s a feeling of belonging." -Shannon Mann-Butler
"I will always remember the day I received the email letting me know a space had opened for my first child to attend the Child Development Center at San Jacinto. I was so relieved because my husband and I both work on campus and having our children on campus would be so much more convenient for drop off and pick up. It would also allow for my husband to see the kids more often during his heavy season. Once we started attending the CDC at San Jacinto, we were so in awe of the curriculum and attention paid to each child. Our son made the transition from his previous daycare so quickly and found new friends almost immediately. Then our second child started much earlier than our son, so we were able to compare infant rooms to previous locations and UT CDC – San Jacinto is a class act! They provide so much for them, which makes it easier for me because I don’t have to stress about bringing formula, wipes or baby food for her. All the teachers we have had, have been amazing! They allow creativity and help the children problem-solve. It is so wonderful!" -Tina Carter
