10 Apr Fun in the Sun: Celebrating 15 years of the Children’s Center
- ASI CSUF’s Children’s Center celebrated the 15th anniversary of their new facility on March 18
- Children, parents and staff enjoyed a block party in the sun with activities for all ages
- Parents and staff praise the Center’s availability to the Fullerton community and the expertise of their full-time staff
Associated Students Inc.’s Children’s Center celebrated turning 15 years old in style with a block party full of activities for children and their families, marking years dedicated to early childcare excellence.
The event, which occurred on March 18, celebrated 15 years in its current facility, which opened in 2011 with new furnishings and equipment like classroom lofts, writing centers and the child-sized play kitchens that still stand today.
To ASI’s Associate Executive Director Keya Allen, celebrating 15 years of the Center means “that we continue to follow the mission to support students and to support nontraditional students as they have their journey through Cal State Fullerton.”
Children participated in fun activities to celebrate the 15th anniversary. / Credit: ASICSUF Flickr
As a functioning year-round educational center right on the CSUF campus, the Center has seen generations of children and student parents who come in with one goal: completing their degrees while parenting. Today, the Center caters to children aged newborns to toddlers, providing them with educational curricula to get them ready for kindergarten.
The block party had engaging activities for students, staff and parents, including a special photobooth featuring the five classroom mascots that represent each age group: butterfly, sunshine, bunny, turtle and an egg, which represents the Nest room.
While waiting to take a photo, visitors picked up snacks, made crafts, played with bubbles, got their face painted or just basked in the high-energy ambiance.
Supporting the Community: One Child at a Time
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For families, the Center is a safe and reliable place for their children to learn and grow.
“I applied so many times to get into the Children’s Center,” said CSUF graduate student Lynn Juliano, whose two daughters have attended the Center. “I just had such a sense of relief when we got in. From Day One that I came here, I didn’t feel nervous at all. I knew they would be in good hands every day.”
Even in the sweltering heat, the celebration was in full swing. Party hats and goody bags lined tables as ASI staff danced to the “Trolls” soundtrack. Stations for bubble play, food, face painting and balloon animals brought together staff and student parents from all corners of campus.
“From working here the past two years, I’ve seen how impactful everyone who works here is, how much we influence their lives,” said teacher’s aide Andrea Hsieh. “I want to go into speech therapy and working here has definitely impacted me wanting to work with kids; it kind of confirmed it.”
Many children enjoy getting arm paintings of their favorite characters / Credit: ASICSUF Flickr
For others, seeing the relationships formed through the Center has been the most rewarding.
“We have students that have been together since they were infants, so you definitely see those valuable connections and bonding forming,” said teacher’s aide Makaylah Cordova. “As for the events in the community, at events like these, you see the parents forming great connections with the staff as well.”
Parents from all over campus participated and bonded with their enrolled Children’s Center kids. / Credit: ASI Marketing, Communications and Design
Tuffy the Titan also made an appearance, taking pictures with families and giving high fives to the children as they passed.
The Center’s convenient location helps student parents like Miranda Palmas.
“Having that childcare system for when I have classes or when I just need to study has helped me out so much with my time,” she said.
Building a Strong Foundation: For Students and Staff
Children sit around to watch the balloon artist create swords, bees and more. / Credit: ASICSUF Flickr
The Center is a monumental stepping-stone for its children but also for its student workers, CSUF students who get to gain valuable experience while getting paid and fulfilling internship hours.
“I want to go into education and it’s really hard to find any positions that can help you out to just get a foot in the door,” said Cordova. “It’s also a great opportunity to work with this age range you can’t typically find in a traditional K-12 system. So having this as an option is really great.”
Children Center student staff are a great asset to the Center, providing teachers with assistance. / Credit: ASI Marketing. Communications and Design
The Center staff strive to create a positive environment for everyone who comes through, a trait teachers’ aides have been able to witness firsthand.
“They’re really good about tailoring the situations to benefit what the student needs at that given time,” said parent Ian Douglas Grom, “The care that the master teachers have and how they watch over the kids at all times; everyone has been so amazing with our son.”
Master Teachers build personalized curricula for their students with care, attending to each child’s needs. The Center and its staff are accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, the nation’s leading organization in early childhood professionals, and in summer 2025 received a five-star Quality Rating and Improvement System rating.
The celebration marked 15 years of growth and achievement, with hopes of continuing for the years to come.
“Everything here has really been a gift. I would wholeheartedly recommend the Children’s Center to anyone. I have always felt at peace and happy that [my children] are here,” said Juliano.