What

The Tamien Child Care Center is a conveniently located, state-of-the-art child care facility offering the highest quality of care and educational programs. The center is operated by Bright Horizons Children's Centers, Inc., a nationally known day care operator, under contract to the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA).

The center is fully licensed by the State of California. The center accommodates 126 children from six weeks through 12 years. A before and after school program is also offered, as well as full and part-time care. The 9,600 square foot facility is located on a 0.6 acre site.

Where

Located at a major transportation hub, the Tamien Child Care Center is at the Tamien Caltrain and Light Rail Stations, near Highway 87 and Alma Avenue. The center is also served by VTA bus lines 25 and 82.

The center is built on a section of the Caltrain parking lot that is owned by VTA. The Tamien Child Care Center is located at 1197 Lick Avenue, San Jose, CA, 95110. The telephone number is (408) 271-1980.

Why

The Tamien Child Care Center is the first of its kind in its extensive relationship to transit services. The project intent is to demonstrate that offering child care and transit services at the same location will provide a viable incentive to parents to use public transportation instead of single occupant automobiles. In a typical case, a parent parks free at the station, drops the child off at the center and rides light rail, Caltrain, or a bus to their final destination. Special transit incentives are offered to patrons, including:

• Discounts on VTA light rail, bus, and Caltrain monthly pass
• Priority enrollment and discounts on tuition for children of all transit users
• Transit passes sold on site
• Free commuter parking
• Emergency trip service
• Transit information on site

VTA and Bright Horizons are also developing a plan to offer reduced tuition to qualified, low-income families.

How

This $2.5 million facility was built using state and local funds along with 80% federal funding made available from the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA), which encourages development compatible with intermodal transportation.

When

Construction on the center started in October 1994. The center became operational in November 1995. It is open Monday through Friday from 6:30 am to 6:30 pm

Services

Tamien also provides services to families including dry cleaning service, date nights and hair cuts for children. Tamien sponsors regular parent education programs, including classes, workshops and discussion groups. These meetings are held at the end of the day and child care will be available. There are also regular family social events.

Program Quality
The facility consists of experienced and well educated teachers committed to meeting the emotional, social, physical and educational needs of children. The program is based on the National Association for the Education of Young Children guidelines for program quality. The center offers small classes and low child to faculty ratios.

The capacity of the center is:

• 21 infants
• 20 toddlers
• 24 two year olds
• 48 preschoolers
• 10 school age

Nutritious snacks are served in the morning and afternoon. Milk or juice will be included with each snack. Families can choose to send lunch or purchase hot lunch at school. All food served at the center is low in sugar and fat, and includes fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and dairy products. As a part of the curriculum, the children participate in cooking projects.

For infants, Tamien is set up to feed formula and breast milk. Parents provide all milk and baby food. As children are introduced to table food, the center provides morning and afternoon snacks.