USC has cut the ribbon on a new infant child care center in Leimert Park, giving local families another hard‑to‑find option for no‑cost early learning. The Early Head Start and Head Start site, located at Tom Bradley Global Awareness Magnet, will serve infants, toddlers, and preschool‑age children. Operated by the university’s School for Early Childhood Education, the new classrooms are designed to expand access to free, high‑quality early learning programs in South Los Angeles.
Why this matters
Across Los Angeles County, licensed infant and toddler slots are in short supply, and full‑time care often comes with long wait lists. The California EDGE Coalition reports that existing county capacity can serve only a small share of children under age two, a gap advocates say underscores how important it is to grow community‑based options like the new Leimert Park site.
USC’s roll‑out and partners
According to university officials, the center will work with the Keck School of Medicine to offer consultations, parent‑education workshops and on‑site nursing services for children with specialized health needs. Families will also be able to connect with teachers through a digital platform that provides real‑time communication. USC President Beong‑Soo Kim called the project a key investment, saying, "Expanding access to high‑quality early childhood education is one of the most important investments we can make in our communities." April Smith, executive director of USC’s School for Early Childhood Education, added that the federal grant supporting the center will bolster early development and help families build a stronger foundation for long‑term success, per MyNewsLA.
Training ground and next steps
USC’s School for Early Childhood Education notes that its Head Start and Early Head Start programs run year‑round, serving both as early‑learning hubs and as training sites for future early‑childhood educators, with an emphasis on school readiness, health and family engagement. Families interested in the Tom Bradley center can review the full list of program sites and enrollment guidance through the USC SECE website; details are available at the USC School for Early Childhood Education.
