Childcare & Lab
The McCarthy Center: Palm Desert Campus
The McCarthy Center is the model lab/demonstration
program for the Childhood Development & Education department. Students from the CDE
department, as well as other disciplines are able to observe, implement projects,
and student teach in connection with their COD courses.
Our program serves children from 12 months to 5 years, with priority for the children
of COD students carrying at least 6 credits. Space permitting, we enroll the children
of faculty, staff, and the community. Parents wanting to know more about the program
can click in the list on the left where there is information about our children’s
programs as well as FAQs.
The Center also employs many students in our classrooms and our busy kitchen. Priority
for teaching support staff positions is given to CDE majors, although we welcome applications from students in
other disciplines. Additionally, every year we have several students who choose to
volunteer at the McCarthy Center.
The McCarthy Family Child Development & Training Center is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children
(NAEYC) and we proudly display the Torch, a symbol of the highest quality in Childhood
Development & Education.
Contact:
760-862-1308
Indio Child Development Center
In January of 2025, the Indio CDC opened. The Indio CDC stands as a testament to COD’s
dedication to holistic education and community enrichment. Serving 80 children and
employing a staff of 45, the center also functions as a training ground for hundreds
of future teachers, fostering a symbiotic relationship that extends beyond its physical
walls.
The state-of-the-art facility includes toddler and preschool classrooms, support spaces,
observation areas and an early childhood education classroom. Additionally, the center
boasts 7,000 sf of play yards, providing a stimulating and safe environment for children
to learn and grow.
For COD student parents, the Indio CDC offers cost-effective childcare in a nurturing
environment. Simultaneously, students majoring in early education benefit from hands-on
training, contributing to a cycle of learning and community support that embodies
the core values of College of the Desert.
Contact:
760.568-7500
