DRDP and the Whole-Child Approach | In partnership with the California Department of Education (CDE) and Department of Social Services (CDSS), PACCC is proud to continue its work as an early adopter of the Desired Results Developmental Profile (DRDP) program. Designed by the State of California and funded by the CDSS, DRDP is a “developmental continuum from infancy through grade three that is designed to assess the progression of skills across multiple domains of learning.” | | | In this whole-child approach to early childhood education and care, the DRDP program provides an efficient and intuitive way for educators to create and manage curriculum, and to observe and assess the children as they accomplish educational milestones. Stay tuned for fun character-based stories that depict each learning domain – here in our newsletter and on our website. Come learn, play and grow with us! | | PACCC Filled the Gap During SNAP Lapse! | | |
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During the recent government shutdown, more than one hundred PACCC children were impacted by the lapse in SNAP benefits. While children in PACCC programs have access to breakfast and lunch through their center and school meals, there was an immediate need for evening and weekend meals. Thanks to the support of our generous donors and the Board’s decision to utilize funds from the scholarship reserve, PACCC was able to provide grocery gift cards to PACCC students receiving financial assistance during the lapse. This is the power of a growing, thriving, connected community. Thank you to our generous donors!
| | Quality Education and Care for All: Supporting Families in Need | | |
As stated in our Strategic Plan, “We firmly believe in the importance of exceptional childcare that is accessible and equitable for all children and families,” and we’ve advocated for such for more than 50 years!
Out of the more than 800 Palo Alto children served per day, from infant-toddler through 5th grade, 40% of PACCC’s infant-toddler and preschool children are subsidized and 15% of the Kids’ Club children are subsidized. We want to offer as many Palo Alto children as possible the opportunity to learn, play, and grow in this community we call home.
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Another way we support Palo Alto families in need includes our Annual Giving Tree Party! Family Giving Tree is a nonprofit “founded on the belief that every child deserved to feel some holiday cheer. Alongside it came the first annual Holiday Wish Drive. Thirty-four years later, we've served over 2 million recipients and have come a long way from that beloved garage in Palo Alto.” PACCC has proudly partnered with Family Giving Tree for more than ten years, helping share holiday cheer with those who need it most.
Families enrolled in PACCC’s Financial Assistance Program are invited to the Administrative Office on December 22nd and 23rd to pick up their child’s Family Giving Tree gifts and enjoy holiday decorations and treats! This special event is a great opportunity for families to connect with their support team and each other to help make the holidays bright and warm!
Date: 12/22/2025 and 12/23/2025
Time: 10AM-1PM
Location: 3990 Ventura Court, Palo Alto CA 94306 (PACCC Administrative Office)
| | Board Spotlight: Piret Loone | | | | Piret Loone is a long-time PACCC parent whose children have grown up in PACCC’s afterschool and summer programs, experiences that have deepened her appreciation for the organization’s nurturing, high-quality approach to childcare. For the past three years, she has served on the PACCC Finance Committee, contributing her expertise to strengthen the organization’s fiscal foundation and support its mission of accessible, enriching education and care for all families. | | Professionally, Piret brings a wealth of experience in legal and strategic leadership from her role as a General Counsel at Altruist, a company dedicated to making financial services more transparent, equitable, and accessible. She is passionate about building systems — both in her professional work and volunteer service — that empower individuals and families to thrive. Piret values the strong sense of community that PACCC fosters among children, parents, and staff, and she is honored to play a part in sustaining that positive impact for future generations. | | Golden Acorn Music Now Included in TK Programs! | Sing! Dance! Find the beat! We’re so excited to expand our partnership with Golden Acorn Music to include our TK centers. “Our mission is to enrich schools and families with music in distinctive, lasting, and substantial ways, and to build a thriving organization that attracts, develops, excites, and retains exceptional educators…Golden Acorn teachers bring music to where it counts most: early childhood. We partner directly with preschools to create music classes that are engaging, early, and regular.” | | KidPower! Teaching Children Boundaries and Consent | | |
In partnership with KidPower, PACCC hosted a Parent Education Night for our Kids’ Club families focused on Teaching Children Boundaries and Consent. Participants are coached on the 5 intrusion factors and best practices for protecting their boundaries.
“These Five Levels of Boundary Intrusions are often a pattern of behavior when someone is trying to pressure someone else to do what they want…We coach our students so they know what to say and what to do to protect their boundaries at each of the Five Levels of Intrusion.”
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Fall Festival - Ellen Thacher Children’s Center (ETCC) | |
Thanksgiving Potluck - Barron Park Children’s Center (BPCC) | |
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Friendsgiving Lunch - Ohlone Kids’ Club (OKC) &
Palo Verde Kids’ Club (PVKC)
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Friendsgiving Lunch - Escondido Kids’ Club (EKC) | |
Hot Chocolate Social - Besse Bolton Kids’ Club (BBKC) | |
Holiday Party Potluck - Walter Hays Kids’ Club (WHKC) |
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Hot Cocoa Night - Ohlone Kids’ Club (OKC) | |
Hot Chocolate Social - Addison Kids’ Club (AKC) | |
Gingerbread House Social with Mis’ Famous Hot Chocolate - Barron Park Kids’ Club (BPKC) |
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Hot Coca Bar - Infant-Toddler Center (ITC) | |
Gingerbread Village Building - Juana Briones Kids’ Club (JBKC) | |
Winter Breakfast Day - Ellen Thacher Children’s Center (ETCC) |
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Hot Chocolate Social - Duveneck Kids’ Club (DKC) | |
Winter Wonderland Festival - Besse Bolton Kids’ Club (BBKC) | |
Hot Chocolate Drop By - Juana Briones Kids’ Club (JBKC) | |
Family Movie Night - College Terrace Children’s Center (CTC) | |
Holiday Pancake Breakfast - Sojourner Truth Child Development Center (STCDC-IT and STCDC-PS) | |
Winter Holiday Show - Barron Park Children’s Center (BPCC) |
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Winter Wonder Day - Ohlone Kids’ Club (OKC) | |
Winter Warm -Up: Cookies and Cocoa/Cider - Downtown Children’s Center (DCC) | |
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Happy Anniversary, PACCC Employees!
We couldn’t do it without you!
| Thank you for the education and care you provide for Palo Alto’s children, and thus, our future! | |
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Rima Z. (SUB)
Dec 9 – 26 years
Kristina W. (ADMIN)
Nov 11 – 14 years
Marty K. (BPCC)
Nov 14 – 14 years
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Mariela L. (ADMIN)
Jan 3 – 7 years
Rebecca W. (SUB)
Dec 2 – 6 years
Vivi T. (DKC)
Dec 1 – 5 years
Kathleen S. (HKC)
Nov 8 – 4 years
Jeanne D. (ETCC)
Dec 1 – 4 years
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Harmony M. (DKC)
Nov 6 – 2 years
Rosio G. (EKC)
Nov 15 – 2 years
Jennifer A. (JBKC)
Jan 3 – 2 years
Andy V. (EKC)
Nov 18 – 1 year
Jessie C. (OKC)
Dec 9 – 1 year
John D. (SUB)
Dec 9 – 1 year
Prisila B. (CTC)
Dec 16 – 1 year
Viviana B. (BPCC)
Dec 23 – 1 year
Christian P. (SUB)
Jan 3 – 1 year
Jonathan D. (ECKC)
Jan 8 – 1 year
Luna M. (SUB)
Jan 8 – 1 year
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| | | Stay tuned for next month's Curious Minds newsletter! |
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