Cerritos College breaks ground on milestone Child Development Center Expansion

Marking a monumental step forward for local families and future educators, Cerritos College officially broke ground on the expansion of its award-winning Child Development Center (CDC). The event celebrated a major community investment aimed at tackling the center’s hundreds-long waiting list, expanding high-quality early childhood education, and providing critical, hands-on training for the next generation of educators. 

For over half a century, the Cerritos College CDC has fulfilled a powerful dual purpose. It serves as a top-tier early learning environment for local children while also functioning as a laboratory and training space for the college’s child development students. The expansion builds upon the success of the current facility, which was updated twelve years ago. The new project will add dedicated infant and toddler facilities, expanded classroom space, and intentionally designed outdoor environments to support exploration, creativity, and development. 

The center’s design reflects the rigorous, top-tier standards recently recognized by Quality Start Los Angeles, earning the highest possible distinction for early childhood education programs. “Early childhood education cannot be learned exclusively in textbooks,” noted Dr. Elizabeth Riley, Dean of Health Occupations. “It requires patience, compassion, creativity, and meaningful interaction. This expansion will provide even greater opportunities for our students to learn from exceptional educators while serving more children and families in our community.” 

Cerritos College President/Superintendent Dr. Jose Fierro highlighted the CDC's long-term impact. “This center introduces children in our community to the idea that college is a place where they belong. By creating positive experiences on a college campus at an early age, we build confidence, aspiration, and familiarity with higher education,” said Dr. Fierro. “This investment reflects our commitment to support families today while inspiring the students of tomorrow.”

The project was made possible through a combination of local, state, and federal sources, including $1 million in community project funding secured by Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez and $787,000 in state funding secured by Assemblymember Blanca Pacheco.

For staff member and former Cerritos College student Reena Popiel de Cazaux, the expansion represents a full-circle moment. After completing her student teaching at the center in 2004, she later enrolled her son in the program. "Walking in, you feel the joy of the children, the passion of the teachers, and a strong sense of community," said Popiel de Cazaux. "This new building will help us support even more families and nurture even younger children."

The ceremony concluded with trustees, college leadership, community partners, and children participating in the ceremonial shovel turn, formally launching a construction project that will serve local families for generations to come. Construction is scheduled to be completed in the summer of 2027.