LA PUENTE, CA – Bassett High senior Samuel Muela credits his strong academic foundational skills to when he first attended a Bassett Unified early child development center at four months old.

“I would like to thank child development for all it has done for me – it really helped me in my first years of education,” Muela said. “I met most of my friends in child development and looking back, it was a great way to start my education.”

Muela thanked his former teachers during a ribbon-cutting ceremony unveiling the Bassett Child Development Center on Oct. 27.

The renovated center features new playground equipment, three interactive classrooms with playing and learning centers, and age appropriate educational materials and tools. Highly qualified teachers guide young learners through purposeful play, in which students learn to strengthen their language, literacy, math and social skills while connecting with other children.

The program seeks to bolster student achievement early on so that students can smoothly transition into grade school.

“We are laying the foundation for how our students view and experience education at an early age,” Child Development Programs Interim Director Rosie Ducoing said. “We are so proud to be able to celebrate this beautiful new facility where so many students will learn, grow and work toward bright and successful futures.”

Bassett Unified child development services are free for eligible families, and accommodate individual parenting needs. Programs include Early Head Start and childcare for children ages 18 months to 3 years old, Head Start and state preschool for children ages 3 to 5 years old, and toddler and private programs.

Students are nurtured and supported as they prepare for preschool, kindergarten or the next level of their development. Children help to plan daily activities, learn how to play well with other children and gain a better understanding of numbers and reading. Teachers also help students to build healthy eating and hygiene habits.

Administrators and staff build relationships with families to provide comprehensive services aimed to support working families and their well-being. Parents and pregnant mothers have access to information and resources on nutrition, medical referrals and how to help their children learn at home.

“The opportunities available to our students at our District are the result of collaborative efforts at all levels, including the leadership of our Board of Education, the commitment of our high-quality teachers and most importantly, our parents – our students’ first and most important teachers,” Interim Superintendent Debra French said. “By working together, we can help to inspire lifelong learners so that they can continue their success throughout their education at Bassett Unified.”

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

103017_BASSETT_CDRIBBBON1: Bassett Unified administrators and staff unveil a renovated Child Development Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Oct. 27.

103017_BASSETT_CDRIBBBON2: Bassett Child Development Center students and teachers cheer and play in one of their newly renovated classrooms. The center features new playground equipment, three interactive classrooms with playing and learning centers, and age appropriate educational materials and tools.