Early Childhood Education
The Early Childhood Education Program (ECEP) provides high-quality early learning and care for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, serving UC Berkeley student parents, faculty, and staff. The Early Childhood Education Program operates five centers across Berkeley, including the University Village Childhood Development Center right here at University Village Albany.
The Early Childhood Education program is also excited to announce the upcoming opening of a new Infant Development Center at University Village serving children 3 months to 24 months, designed to expand access for University Village families. Thanks to newly secured funding, the program will be able to offer subsidized spaces for income-eligible families.
As of November 2025, the Early Childhood Education Program has openings for full-time care for infants ages 3–12 months and preschool ages 36–58 months through the 2025–2026 school year. Families interested in enrollment are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
Subsidies available for student parents
We reserve a number of spaces for the children of student parents in order to help student parents balance school, work, and family. Student parents who meet income and need eligibility may qualify for state subsidies for free or reduced fee child care. We strongly encourage student parents to apply for state subsidies if you may be eligible.
Why choose the early childhood education program:
- Convenient locations — including right here at University Village
- Offers a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment that sparks curiosity and helps to unlock the potential of each child
- Staffed by highly trained childhood educators who design projects that stimulate learning, encourage cooperation, and provide a sense of empowerment
- More than 75 years of history in providing high-quality care that integrates cutting-edge child development research
- Year-round schedule, including the summer
- Excellent adult-child ratios aligned to best practices in the field
- Nutritionally balanced meals and snacks served daily
- Student parents who meet income and need eligibility may qualify for free or reduced-fee child care, based on a sliding income scale
How to apply
Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis, with no application fee for students. Apply now.
Local schools
University Village is located within the Albany Unified School District. Albany Unified School District is set up such that children may be enrolled in any school in the city. There are children from the Village in every school in the district.
The Albany Children’s Center is a year-round multi-cultural early childhood program of Albany Unified School District. It provides a full day program for preschool children between the ages of 2-years-9-months and 5-years-old. It also provides before and after school care for students in grades K-3 at each school site.
BANANAS is a nonprofit childcare referral and support agency serving the diverse families in Northern Alameda County, California. It provides free parenting information, workshops and referrals to family child care, child care centers, preschools, babysitters, in-home caregivers, nannies, and playgroups.
Afterschool Program
Learn about our University Village Afterschool Program, an exciting enrichment program for kids in grades K-5.
Teen programs
The University Village Teen Program is an engaging program that serves tween and adolescent residents in the Village, ages 11-19. The program offers weekly virtual socials that include talk sessions, online games, and quiet study sessions and hosts in-person events throughout the year. In addition to movie screenings, crafts, video games, and free food and prizes, the program also periodically offers mental health and wellness workshops in collaboration with on-campus organizations. Throughout the year, the teen program collaborates with Graduate and Family Living to assist with movie nights, block parties, and related Village-wide events. Follow the Teen Program Instagram @VillageTeenProgram for more information and to learn about upcoming events!
Contact Clara Jimenez (PA) and Eric Ray-Love (PA) with any questions at villageteenprogram@berkeley.edu