Situated in central east Austin , El Buen Pastor Early Childhood Development Center (The Center) is a community based child development center whose mission is to meet the needs of the entire family through empowerment and community participation. The Center recruits volunteers, staff, and board members who represent the community the Center serves. Through this collection of multicultural and bilingual individuals, the Center is able to provide a stimulating and safe environment for children and their families.

El Buen Pastor Early Childhood Development Center originated from a 1974 needs assessment conducted by United Urban Council of Churches (now Austin Metropolitan Ministries) of east Austin families. The committee for the Council found a severe lack of affordable and local childcare services for low-income residents. Responding to this need, on September 2, 1975 , the Center opened its doors and began serving its first class of eight children in the fellowship hall generously supplied by El Buen Pastor Presbyterian Church. The goals were simple and direct, provide a place where children could find educational, spiritual, physical, mental, and social nourishment.

Shortly thereafter, in 1978, parents eagerly raised the funds through car washes and tamale sales to relocate the Center into the pastor's manse, permitting expansion of childcare services. Similar efforts increased the Center's service capacity from a dozen children in 1975, 62 children in 1991 and to it's current licensed capacity of 117 children. During these thirty-four years, the Center has nurtured and educated hundreds of children to become healthy and productive members of society.

Through the assistant of Austin Community College Child Development Department, the Center's staff have become certified early childhood specialists. The National Academy of Early Childhood Program (NAEYC) accredited the Center in March 1992. NAEYC accredited the program again in 1995. The Center has also earned the recognition from the Texas WorkForce Solutions Capital Area receiving the designation of a Four Stars Texas Rising Star Provider.

Today, The Center provides early childhood and school-aged children with educational and instructional activities. Nutritional meals are included in the costs which is well below the market rates. Tuition for low-income families is approximately half the fee charged by other childcare facilities in the Austin area. Scholarships are available for families unable to afford the full tuition (upon availability of funds). The Children are presented with activities that promote participation in projects, encourage the use of their creative energies, expand important social skills, and enhance their learning capabilities.

Through grants and individual donations a newly constructed state-of-the-art facility has been built allowing for 117 children, including infants. This new building, equipped with child friendly sinks, bathrooms, and furniture, is designed to meet the safety and developmental needs of all the students. Broad porches are used in arts, physical play, and other educational activities, while spacious rooms allow for science, computer, math, language and other musical activities.

Successes

• Child Development

According to the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPVT) used by the Austin Independent School District, 90 percent of the children continually exceed their age appropriate levels of vocabulary advancement. In addition, the Center often receives praises from AISD teachers and area schools about the students who are academically and emotionally ready for the challenges in comparison to their peers.

• Young Age Group

The Center is serving infants ages six-months to two-years that cannot find enough quality care or is excluded from many child development centers due to the high cost in caring for them. In the United States only six percent of infants under a year old and twelve percent of children under the age of two are cared for in a licensed facility. The Center’s proven ability to maintain trained and qualified childcare teachers make it an ideal developmental place for young infants and toddlers.

• Community Support

The Center serves as a child development center where the entire community is able to collaborate with past families and now-grown children. These now-grown children provide various types of assistance. It is also a place where alumni volunteer their time, helping to build their confidence and self-esteem through their interaction with younger children. Other volunteers help provide administrative and fundraising assistance.

• Learning Opportunities

The Center is a homebase for students taking classes at Austin Community College (ACC) as well as opens it's door to students of Univerity of Texas and St. Edwards to complete their laboratory observations and receive college credit. A degree plan is encouraged for staff through ACC Teacher Trac program.

• Staff/Parent Cooperation

Parents are able to leave for work confident that their children are in a safe and caring environment. Known for its “whole family” approach, El Buen Pastor E.C.D.C. is one of the few child care centers in Austin with the four rising star recognition by the Texas WorkForce Solutions Capital Area. Promotion of child participation and creativity, while encouraging independence and autonomy is a core value to the Center. Families receive parenting training and encouragement through parenting classes and teamwork with The Center and its staff. The needs of the whole child are addressed, such as: emotional, developmental, nutritional, disciplinal, and most importantly, educational.