NOW ENROLLING! School for Early Childhood Education

ChildPlus Application (USC SECE)

Aplicacíon de ChildPlus (USC SECE)>

The USC School for Early Childhood Education, Head Start, Early Head Start and CA State Preschool Program aligns its mission with the university’s mission:

“Enhancing the human mind and spirit through selective forms of public services.” SECE echoes this mission by seeking to develop the minds and hearts of children, families, and residents of South and East Los Angeles by providing exemplary early childhood education, cultivating parent support and resiliency through education, empowerment, and involvement, and advancing staff knowledge and leadership with the end goal of reshaping present environments and impacting the destinies of children and their families.

Founded in 1970 as a teaching school for future early-childhood professionals, the USC School for Early Childhood Education (USC SECE) has served more than 20,000+ neighborhood children and families. Today, our Head Start, and California State Preschool Program (CSPP) centers serve more than 350 infants, toddlers, preschool children, and their parents every year.

USC SECE operates fully licensed childcare and developmental centers for children ages 3 months to five, an Early Head Start Home-Based program for children from birth to three years, and state-funded preschool classrooms through CSPP. The program operates year-round, Monday through Friday, hours vary depending on site or home visit schedule. SECE is designed to support children’s school readiness, healthy development, and family engagement.

What We Offer

School Readiness
The Head Start Child Development and Early Learning Framework represent the foundation of the Head Start Approach to School Readiness. It aligns with and builds from the five essential, or core, domains of birth to five school readiness’s, to identify critical areas of learning and development for 3 to 5 year children, including dual language learners and children with disabilities. The Framework guides curriculum selection, implementation, and assessment and can be used when planning and assessing teaching and learning experiences and children’s progress toward school readiness goals.

Health/Nutrition
The Head Start Program staff determines a child is up-to-date on a schedule of well-child care; ensures that each child has a source of continuous, accessible, coordinated care that serves as a “medical home.” Well-child care includes scheduled age appropriate preventive and primary health care including medical, dental, and mental health care.

Mental Health
Focus on enhancing awareness and understanding of mental wellness and the contribution that mental health information and services can make to the wellness of all.

Disabilities
Head Start has been known for its “inclusive” policies. That is, children with disabilities have been enrolled, and an educational program has been provided to meet their individual needs

Family Engagement
Parent and family engagement in Head Start and Early Head Start is about building relationships with families that support family well-being; supporting strong relationships between parents and their children; and nurturing ongoing learning and development for both parents and children.

Eligibility
Children eligible for the USC SECE Head Start or Early Head Start program must live within the designated South Los Angeles Service area and qualify by age and family income. Income eligibility is based on the current Federal Poverty Guidelines and those established by the California State Department of Education, Child Development Division. For the full-day program, parents must be in school or in a full-time training program or hold a full-time job. For eligibility and enrollment information, call 213 743-2466.

Our Locations

Early Head Start Home-Based Program (EHS)
ABM Building:
509 W. 29th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90007
(213) 429-5584

Griffin Elementary (California State Pre-School Only)
2025 Griffin Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90031
(213) 453-0723

University Gardens Child Development Center (EHS)
1250 W. Jefferson Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90007
(323) 733-1650

University Park Child Development Center
741 W. 27th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90007
(213) 743-2466

John W. Mack Child Development Center
3020 S. Catalina Street
Los Angeles, CA 90007
(323) 574-5282

Lenicia B. Weemes Child Development Center
1260 W 36th Pl.
Los Angeles, CA 90007
(213) 436-5910

Norwood Street Child Development Center
2020 Oak Street
Los Angeles, CA 90007
(213) 300-5451

Vermont Avenue Child Development Center
1435 W. 27th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90007‎
(213) 595-3114

Casa De Rosas Center
2600 South Hoover Street
Los Angeles, CA 90007
(213) 322-3514

Tom Bradley Center
3875 Dublin Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90008
(323) 292-8195 ext. 68684

USC SECE is funded by grants from the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, and the California State Dept. of Education, Child Development Division. Our Services are aligned with Head Start Program Performance Standards and California State Dept. of Education Title 5 and California Dept. of Social Services Title 22 regulations.

USC SECE 2019-2020 Annual Report

USC SECE 2021-2022 Annual Report

USC SECE 2023-2024 Annual Report

Contact information:

April Smith
Executive Director
School of Early Childhood Education
(213) 459-7426

University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA 90089
Tel: 213-469-1161
Fax: 213-821-7800