Founded in 1938, the Blind Children’s Center (BCC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides FREE/subsidized high-quality early childhood education programs for children ages 18 months to 5 years-old (Head Start, Early Head Start, CA State Preschool). We also offer Home-based Early Head Start services for infants and toddlers from birth through 36 months and pregnant mothers. BCC has specific expertise in supporting very young children who are blind and visually impaired and those with multiple disabilities. Our small class sizes, experienced staff and specialists all lend to individualized instruction and support for each child in our program.
To find out more about our programs, click on the links below:
Our Infant Program serves infants and toddlers from birth through 35 months, as well as pregnant mothers, especially those who have already learned that their child will be born with a significant disability. In combination with early intervention services and medical care, our Infant Program is designed to fully engage families, provide them with coaching and strategies for their child, address their stress and isolation, and support them as they learn to navigate the complexities of health care, therapies, and our educational systems. As a Head Start program, our services focus on the whole child and family, including health, mental health and nutrition. To get more information about the program click here and a member of our team will follow up with you promptly, or click here to enroll your child today.
Children from 18 months to three years old are eligible for our center-based Toddler Program. Toddlers are placed in inclusive classrooms with children of ALL abilities and immersed in daily routines and activities that foster pre-literacy skills, healthy physical development and social skills. Emphasis is placed on learning through play in a nurturing environment. For children who are blind or visually impaired, specialized services include: individual classroom adaptations and supports, sensory development, feeding, and speech/language development. We offer adaptive outdoor play on two playgrounds across our idyllic one-acre campus, along with a healthy breakfast, lunch, and snack. As a Head Start program, our services focus on the whole child and family, including health, mental health and nutrition. To find out more about the program click here and a member of our team will follow up with you promptly, or click here to enroll today.
Our Preschool for children 3 – 5 years-old provides comprehensive early childhood education in an inclusive environment, with children of ALL abilities in each classroom. Our small class sizes encourage individualized learning experiences that promote social skills, emotional well-being, and literacy skills, mathematics, and science concepts. For children who are blind or visually impaired, specialized services include: individual classroom adaptations and supports, sensory development, orientation & mobility (including cane travel), speech/language development, and pre-braille literacy. We offer adaptive outdoor play on two playgrounds across our idyllic one-acre campus, along with a healthy breakfast, lunch, and snack. As a Head Start program, our services focus on the whole child and family, including health, mental health and nutrition. To find out more about the program click here and a member of our team will follow up with you, or click here to enroll today.
All parents, caregivers and families with children enrolled at the Center are offered program services to support family well-being and help families reach their goals. Parent groups, committees, and one-on-one supports help strengthen parent-child relationships and engage families in the learning and development of their child. For parents/caregivers of children with visual impairments and other disabilities, our bilingual family support team is prepared to provide specialized support including assistance with navigating a complex medical system. Through family support groups, ongoing one on one strategy sessions, and patient navigation at medical appointments, these key staff members provide a layer of support which is essential during the uncertain and challenging first few years of a child’s life. To reach our Family Services Team click here and we will follow up with you promptly, or click here to enroll your child today.
Blind Children’s Center programs are supported by Grant Number 09CH012684 from the Office of Head Start within the Administration for Children and Families, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Neither the Administration for Children and Families nor any of its components operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse this website’s content (including, without limitation, its technical infrastructure and policies). The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed are those of the Blind Children’s Center and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Administration for Children and Families and the Office of Head Start.