Curious Minds Newsletter

February 2026

PACCC's Whole-Child Approach

Social & Emotional Development

In partnership with the California Department of Education, PACCC is continuing its work as an early adopter of the revised Desired Results Developmental Profile (DRDP) program and Learning Foundations (LFs), which closely aligns with our vision and mission statement. Designed by the State of California and funded by the California Department of Social Services, DRDP is a “developmental continuum from infancy through grade three that is designed to assess the progression of skills across multiple domains of learning.” The DRDP directly aligns with California’s Learning Foundations. Together, they are used to plan curriculum, inform instruction, and document developmental milestones.

Please join us in welcoming our Social and Emotional Development (SED) Ambassador and storytelling avatar, Luna Heartwell, here to share more about SED and PACCC’s Whole-Child Approach! It’s all yours, Luna!

Meet Luna Heartwell,

Ambassador for Social and Emotional Development!

Luna Heartwell peered past the curtain just offstage as thunderous applause erupted for her friend and fellow Ambassador, Emery Bright. This was a proud moment! As the Social and Emotional Development (SED) Ambassador, Luna remembered introducing herself to Emery on her first day at PACCC and inviting her to sit with her at lunchtime. Then, she introduced Emery to all her classmates and took it upon herself to give Emery a tour of the classroom and all the play-based a.k.a. FUN, learning activities they would be doing that day!

Luna’s mother had once called her a “social butterfly” which made Luna very happy because she enjoyed flitting around, helping others interact and get to know each other.

It was almost time to take the stage! [Read the full story here!]

Read the Full Story.. 👀

SAVE THE DATE! PACCC Day with the Stanford Cardinals!

Join us for PACCC Day with the Stanford Cardinals! Also, we invite you to be a valuable partner in our work as a community-based non-profit, providing early education and care in Palo Alto, by becoming a sponsor for PACCC Day with the Stanford Cardinals! The event will be held on Saturday, April 4, 2026, at Klein Field at Sunken Diamond, 151 Sam McDonald Mall, Stanford, CA 94305. Please consider which benefits you/your organization would like to receive in appreciation for your contribution to PACCC, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Please email your completed sponsorship form and high-resolution logo to lpfab@paccc.org.

Board Highlight

Dr. Cindy Pouw O.D., F.A.A.O joined the PACCC board in 2026 and served on the 2030 Strategic Plan Committee in 2025.

As a Therapeutic Optometrist and Pediatric Specialist at Eyes of the Bay in Palo Alto, Dr. Pouw is passionate about providing quality eye care for her patients while implementing new research techniques and treatment options. She also enjoys teaching and mentoring optometry students. After relocating to California from Houston in 2019 with her then 2-month-old son, Dr. Pouw discovered PACCC. “PACCC was our first family, and I wanted to give back to not only PACCC but our amazing community. Quality childcare with a focus on the whole child is very important to us and PACCC's goals align with our family values.”

Known as “Dr. Cindy” by the PACCC staff and students, Dr. Pouw shares, “I truly love doing vision screenings at all the preschool centers and volunteering…PACCC staff, center directors, regional coordinators, and board are all constantly working behind the scenes to change the face of childcare. We hope to be leaders at the forefront of child care…We are excited about what's to come.”

Partnership – Ravenswood Family Health Network

The CDC reports that “Cavities (tooth decay) are the most common chronic disease of childhood in the United States. By age 8, over half of children (52%) have had a cavity in their primary (baby) teeth. Children from low-income families are twice as likely to have cavities as children from higher-income families. Poor oral health can have a negative effect on children’s quality of life, performance at school, and success later in life.”

PACCC is proud to partner with Ravenswood Family Health Network to co-host the “Supporting Your Child’s Dental Health” webinar, led by Ushma Patel, RDHAP. Attendees can expect to learn more about:

Oral health and its connection to overall health and wellbeing
The Importance of brushing, flossing, and healthy eating for strong smiles
Age-appropriate oral hygiene for children and families
Tips on good dental habits to prevent cavities and tooth decay
The importance of positive, stress-free dental experiences for kids

When: Tuesday, March 3rd at 5 pm

Thank You to Palo Alto Community Fund!

We are so honored to be the recipient of a grant from the Palo Alto Community Fund, as well as being featured in their Grantee Spotlight!

“Earlier this month, they [PACCC] celebrated the expansion of their Downtown Children’s Center to include Infant-Toddler Programming—growth that marks the first step towards building child care capacity in anticipation of increasing housing density in the San Antonio Corridor as a result of Alta Housing’s Lot D Development.

“This is our first step in acknowledging that there's going to be a need for infant, toddler, and preschool care downtown,” says [PACCC CEO,] Lee Pfab, “and we are strategically taking one step at a time to ensure that we can do quality and we can scale appropriately…I find it very important to be involved with the community, understand what's happening, so that we can continue to meet the community needs and not lock ourselves into the past, but look at where we're going in the future.”

PACCC’s Family Resources: Single Parenting Support Group

Valentine’s Day and perhaps the entire month of February can be a triggering Hallmark holiday for singles and couples alike but add its traditional expectations to the single parents’ roster of duties, and it could lead to overwhelm! Or not. Single parenting has its own specific challenges, but the good news is, you don’t have to brave it all alone. Check out the Single Parent’s Support Group offered by the JFCS Center for Children and Youth. “Are you a single parent looking for a supportive and welcoming space to connect with others, share experiences, and talk through the ups and downs of parenting? CCY's Single Parents Support Group meets monthly in the evenings from 6:30 to 8:00 PM, offering a space to explore meaningful topics like co-parenting, discipline, emotional intelligence, and more. All single parents are welcome, regardless of faith or cultural background.” Registration required. Costs start at $5.

PACCC in the Community

As a community leader in Palo Alto, and in keeping with our Strategic Plan and commitment to build and foster community, PACCC partners with families and regional agencies to provide and advocate for exceptional and accessible childhood care and education. You will find PACCC engaged in the following advocacy efforts and events this month:

Early Care & Education Pathways to Success Networking Conference

Family Fun in Palo Alto!

From Palo Alto with Love!

From the City of Palo Alto, here’s a little love letter on the many reasons to love this diverse and bountiful community! “Celebrate the month of love in Palo Alto. This month (and all year long) let’s take time together to show our love for our community, our neighbors, and ourselves. February is a reminder that love isn’t just a feeling, it’s something we practice daily. Whether lending a hand, appreciating natural beauty, sharing the gift of reading, connecting with art, or taking care of yourself, we’re celebrating all the ways we love Palo Alto.”

2026 Palo Alto Luna New Year Fair

“As we say goodbye to the year 2025, come join the Palo Alto Chinese Community at the 2026 Palo Alto Lunar New Year Fair at Mitchell Park Community Center to celebrate "the Year of the Horse," with many festive Lunar New Year activities.”

Sunday, February 22, 2026 | 11:00 AM - 04:00 PM Location: Mitchell Park Community Center,

Celebrate Lunar New Year at the Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo

“On February 15 and 17, join Zodiac-themed keeper talks where you will learn fascinating facts about animals connected to the Lunar New Year. Plus, enjoy hands-on crafts inspired by this festive tradition. Fun for all ages.” Free, with a general admission ticket.

Palo Alto Children’s Theatre Presents…

Based on the story by Hans Christian Andersen, Goldilocks and the Three Bears is hitting the stage, starting on February 21. “With very simple sets and costumes, and lots of opportunities to get up and wiggle, this story-teller style theatre is perfect for young audience members, suggested ages two to six years old. Performances are approximately 55 minutes in length, at 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.”