Flexible Drop‑In Infant Care Now Available
Finding reliable childcare can be one of the biggest challenges for families—especially when schedules change week to week. To support parents who need occasional care without long‑term commitments, the First Presbyterian Church of Santa Barbara is launching a flexible Drop‑In Infant Childcare Program, beginning the week of March 2.
Finding reliable childcare can be one of the biggest challenges for families—especially when schedules change week to week. To support parents who need occasional care without long‑term commitments, the First Presbyterian Church of Santa Barbara is launching a flexible Drop‑In Infant Childcare Program, beginning the week of March 2.
This new offering is designed for families who want high‑quality care on an as‑needed basis and prefer to pay only for the sessions they use. Pre‑registration is required, but once enrolled, parents can reserve individual sessions online whenever they need them.
What the Program Offers
The Drop‑In Infant Care program provides a safe, nurturing environment led by fully licensed and qualified infant teachers. With a 1:3 teacher‑to‑child ratio, each infant receives attentive, individualized care.
Care is available Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, with two convenient sessions each day:
Morning: 9:00am–12:00pm
Afternoon: 1:30pm–4:30pm
Families may reserve up to two sessions per week, giving them the flexibility to plan around appointments, work needs, or unexpected schedule changes.
The program serves infants ages 3 months until walking or up to 15 months.
Cost and Registration
Each session is $75, and reservations can be made through the online calendar once registration is complete.
To begin the registration process or schedule a tour, families can contact:
Dany Rodriguez
drodriguez@fpcsb.org
For general program information, the Early Childhood Center can also be reached at:
First Presbyterian Church Early Childhood Center
21 E. Constance Ave, Santa Barbara
805‑687‑6362
Director: Beth Hassenplug (bhassenplug@fpcsb.org)
Facility License #421702330
Enroll Now!
Hi, families! Now is the time to lock in and save a space for your child for upcoming school year. The new school year starts August 17th, 2026, but we do start our registration and enrollment process now. So if you are looking to save that space, have it secure know that it's there waiting for you.
Hi, families! Now is the time to lock in and save a space for your child for upcoming school year. The new school year starts August 17th, 2026, but we do start our registration and enrollment process now. So if you are looking to save that space, have it secure know that it's there waiting for you. The process starts now. How it works is I contact families on our waitlist, answer all their questions, and then you're able to put down a deposit and save that space. So if you're not on our waitlist, get on it now. If you are on our waitlist, please feel welcome to check in with me.
This is mainly for our new infant groups, but if you have older children, you are also able to save their spot for our new school year, which again starts this August. Hope to be talking to you soon!
Current Openings and Enrollment
We currently have a Tuesday/Thursday opening in our Infant Room for children with birthdays between September 2024 and January 2025. In addition, there are a few spaces available in our Preschool program—both in the young preschool group (for children turning three) and in the older preschool group (for children turning four). If you are interested in learning more or would like to schedule a visit, please contact Director Beth for details.
We currently have a Tuesday/Thursday opening in our Infant Room for children with birthdays between September 2024 and January 2025. In addition, there are a few spaces available in our Preschool program—both in the young preschool group (for children turning three) and in the older preschool group (for children turning four). If you are interested in learning more or would like to schedule a visit, please contact Director Beth for details.
Why Continuity of Care Matters for Your Child
At our school, we believe that young children learn best when they feel safe, loved, and truly known. That’s why we practice continuity of care—keeping children with the same trusted teachers over time.
At our school, we believe that young children learn best when they feel safe, loved, and truly known. That’s why we practice continuity of care—keeping children with the same trusted teachers over time.
When children see the same caring faces each day, they build deep bonds. These strong relationships help them feel secure, which makes it easier to explore, play, and learn new things. For families, it means having a teacher who really knows your child—their personality, their strengths, and the little things that help them thrive.
Continuity of care isn’t just about comfort; it’s about growth. Children who feel secure are more confident, more curious, and more ready for all the exciting learning that happens in their early years. Our teachers take joy in walking alongside children and families through each stage, making sure every child feels supported and celebrated along the way.
Video Message from Our Director
Message from the Director highlighting health policy, tuition payments, attendance and the calendar. Click here to watch.
Getting Ready for the New School Year
Our infant and toddler classes are fully enrolled, and we can’t wait to welcome all our returning and new families. Our preschool classes still have a few openings, so if you have a preschool-aged child (age 2-4) and would like to join our community, please reach out to Director Beth for more information. We’d love to share with you all the wonderful learning and growing that happens here every day!
We’re buzzing with excitement as we prepare for the first day of our new school year on Monday, August 18th! Next week, our dedicated teachers will be in full in-service mode—spending time learning together professionally, setting goals for the year ahead, and refreshing our classrooms and playgrounds so everything is ready for your children. This is always such a special time as we get our school looking and feeling its best for the new year.
Our infant and toddler classes are fully enrolled, and we can’t wait to welcome all our returning and new families. Our preschool classes still have a few openings, so if you have a preschool-aged child (age 2-4) and would like to join our community, please reach out to Director Beth for more information. We’d love to share with you all the wonderful learning and growing that happens here every day!