Our History

Effective November 30, 2004, California State University San Marcos was authorized to establish a Category I, Childcare Services Fee paid by students enrolled in state-supported terms and through special session.

The fee was created to support operations of the first established Early Learning Center operated by the Associated Students, Inc.

The administration of this fee is the responsibility of the Vice President for Student Affairs, or designee, in conjunction with the childcare center and the Executive Director of the CSUSM Corporation.

The Early Learning Center was first operated by ASI, and was originally housed off-campus at the corner of Twin Oaks Valley Road and Barham Drive.  Although the Center was off-campus, it still had the look and feel of a warm and caring learning environment for the children of our CSUSM students, faculty, staff and community.  In 2005, it was decided by senior administrators to relocate the Center on-campus. 

The 21,000 square foot Center for Children and Families currently serves 126 children aged five and under.  The facility's capacity is 162 children, with plenty of room for growth.