Early Childhood Education Program (ECEP)
The Early Childhood Education Program (ECEP) provides early childhood services to infants, toddlers, and preschoolers for UC Berkeley student parents, faculty, staff and the larger community. ECEP offers childcare and preschool at five locations, including the Childhood Development Center right here at University Village.
As of June 7, 2022, ECEP still has openings for full-time care of toddler/preschool aged children (ages 24-58 months) for the 2022-23 school year, beginning August 15. If interested, 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 ECEP:
- 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.
Family Assistance Program
We have a Licensed Clinical Social worker in partnership with University Village, Tang -Social Services and the Student Parent Center. The Family Assistance Program at UVA, headed by Jason Straussman, LCSW is available to both students and non-student family members living at University Village. The program exists to provide direct crisis counseling support, clinical case management, serve families struggling with transition to UVA, support families during crisis of domestic violence, financial struggles, academic stress and other mental health stressors that one may encounter while being a student family studying and managing life responsibilities. Jason Straussman, LCSW is available at the village on Mondays & Tuesdays (in-person) and provides drop in hours from 1:00-2:00 PM these days (book a Let’s Talk conversation). In addition, he is in the Student Parent Center on Wednesday and Thurdays (in-person) and available for appointments by sending an email to jstraussman@berkeley.edu or calling 510-561-8199. There are no fees for services as Tang, UVA and the Student Parent Center are committed to supporting our student families.
If this is an immediate crisis please call UCPD 510-642-3333, 911 or visit your local emergency room. Tang also offers crisis counseling on the third floor in Counseling and Psychological Services for students.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255
The Bear Pantry
1050 Monroe St, Albany, CA 94706 | bearpantry.uva@berkeley.edu
The Bear Pantry is a free resource to all UVA residents and staff members. We offer groceries, hygiene products, and baby products when available. No registration is required and we do not require any proof of need. All you need to bring is your Cal ID and bags to carry your groceries! Click here for more information about the Bear Pantry including our hours.
We are hiring! Click here and fill out this form if you are interested.
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.
Additional Childcare and Afterschool Programs
After-School Homework Club: Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays from 3 – 5:30 p.m., and Wednesdays from 2 – 5:30 p.m., during the school year. Children ages 8 to 12 (Grades 3-8) can receive help with his or her homework in the Community Center. Volunteers and staff are available to assist with arithmetic, reading, composition and science homework. Does your child need reading or English support? Our Reading Incentives Program provides a place for your younger child to pick a book from our selection and read aloud with a Reading Buddy. Older students can read silently and then discuss the book with a buddy. Fun prizes can be earned just for reading! YOUR CHILD MUST BE REGISTERED PRIOR TO PARTICIPATION. For questions, contact Wendy Ellison at HWClub.UVA@gmail.com
To Sign-Up: Village resident parent/guardian must complete a HW Club registration form (available in the Community Center Homework Club room) and submit to HW Club staff during Homework Club hours.
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 ages 2.9 to 5 years. 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.