BUSD Child Development Unit (CDU)
The mission of the Child Development Unit is to provide safe, warm and welcoming environments for students and families to be actively engaged through innovation and creativity.
The Benicia Unified School District Child Development Unit (CDU) offers a broad range of programs to meet the needs of the children and families in Benicia. There are preschool programs along with before and after school enrichment programs at all our Elementary schools. We also operate income eligible subsidized State Preschools. We offer a before and after school program at each of our Elementary school sites.
The program for pre-kindergarten children is based on a developmental approach. That is, the curriculum and teaching strategies are both age and individually appropriate for the children we serve. The program’s activities are chiefly child-directed. The program provides a variety of activities and experiences that promote social-emotional, cognitive, language, physical and creative development of young children. Each child is given the opportunity for understanding oneself and others.
The program for school-age children serves as a bridge between home and school. It provides a balance of educational, social and recreational opportunities, an environment that is safe and structured, and activities that are conducive to all children in a fun, playful way. School-age care programs exist for the purpose of promoting, nurturing, supporting and enhancing all areas of children’s development. All children are individuals of equal worth and value who come to the program at their own developmental level and bring with them a unique mixture of family background, language, and culture, personality and learning style.
If you are interested in enrolling your child in one of our programs or want more information please call (707) 747-8367. The location of the CDU office is at 350 East K Street, Suite 11.
If your child did not attend preschool before they will enter TK or Kindergarten this coming school year (22-23), please call us to ask about our free Pre-K Academy coming this summer. Also see the flyer listed at the bottom of this webpage.
Preschool Information:
For the interest in full cost tuition preschool for at:
- Joe Henderson Elementary
- Mary Farmar Elementary
- Matthew Turner Elementary
Please add your name to the waiting list: https://beniciaunified.curacubby.com/fst/preschoolwaitlist
If you are interested in a lower cost, state subsidy preschool, at:
- Robert Semple Elementary
- Mary Farmar Elementary
Please contact CDU office 707-747-8367
School Age Programs:
For interest in the school age programs for students in grades TK – 5th at:
- Joe Henderson Elementary
- Mary Farmar Elementary
- Matthew Turner Elementary
Please add your name to the waiting list: https://beniciaunified.curacubby.com/fst/waitlist
If your child attends Robert Semple Elementary, then please contact CDU office 707-747-8367
Subsidized programs:
If you need assistance with tuition please refer to the list below to determine if your income and family size makes you eligible for our state preschool or school age program.
State Fiscal Year 2021-22 Schedule of Income Ceilings (85 percent of State Median Income)
| Family Size | Family Monthly Income | Family Yearly Income |
| 1-2 | $5,889 | $70,665 |
| 3 | $6,511 | $78,135 |
| 4 | $7,441 | $89,297 |
| 5 | $8,632 | $103,584 |
| 6 | $9,823 | $117,872 |
| 7 | $10,046 | $120,550 |
| 8 | $10,269 | $123,230 |
| 9 | $10,492 | $125,909 |
| 10 | $10,716 | $128,587 |
| 11 | $10,939 | $131,266 |
| 12 | $11,162 | $133,946 |
Transitional Kindergarten
- For each school year: Children who turn five years of age between September 2nd and February 2nd are eligible for TK. BUSD currently offers TK programs at Robert Semple, Matthew Turner, and Joe Henderson Elementary schools.
- Enrollment for the next school year begins February 1, at your home elementary school. Call your local school for an appointment.
Enrollment for the TK program is in the Spring during the kindergarten enrollment period. Contact your school site with any questions.
Contacts & Forms
June Regis
Director of Child Development
Phone: 707-747-8367
Erica Dudley
Coordinator of Child Development
Phone: 707-747-8367
Diane Altman
CDU Program Specialist
Phone: 707-748-1872
Office Technician
Phone: 707-747-8367