Early Development Services has experienced tremendous growth since the opening of it’s first little facility ten years ago. In 1998, Avondale Child Development Center opened in a renovated house in Seaside to serve 44 children ages 2 years to entry of kindergarten. In 2000, Avondale added an infant/toddler program to their preschool facility to provide convenience for families as well as keep young siblings connected. In 2001, we received a contract from the California Department of Education, Child Development Division to provide quality child care services to income qualified families. Over the course of the next two years, the demand for our infant/toddler program far exceeded our capacity. In order to meet this demand, we located an additional facility in Seaside and opened the first and only specialized infant/toddler development facility on the Monterey Peninsula in December 2002. As part of this expansion process, the original child development center incorporated under the name of Early Development Services, Inc and received another contract for services from the Child Development Division.
By the end of 2003, the original Avondale Child Development Center had been relocated to Hayes Education Center and expanded to serve 118 children ages two years to 5th grade. As a whole, the newly formed agency served 160 children and their families each day.
In 2006, EDS acquired an additional Seaside location on Highlands Elementary School and an increase in our funding to subsidized families. Highlands Early Education Center opened in August 2006 making it possible for families to receive services of child care and elementary schooling in one location. Highlands serves 36 children ages 12 months to entry first grade.
Most recently, EDS has been contracted to manage the child development center at California State University Monterey Bay. CSU Monterey Bay’s child development center serves 48 children between the ages of 12months and entry kindergarten. This is an exciting collaboration as it will provide much needed services to the students and staff of the University in close proximity to where they live and work each day.
In 2009, our agency budget now exceeds $2.5 million annually and provides services to over 250 families on the Monterey Peninsula with a broad range of services including subsidized and full cost child care programs, resources for families, as well as professional support and advising for early childhood professionals throughout the county. As we continue to grow, we look forward to seeing how what we do changes the face of our community and creates opportunities for relationship building in early care and education.
