At SJB, we believe that when we invest in our people, we invest in the future of our organization. That belief inspired the launch of SJB University in the summer of 2024, a significant achievement made possible through our valued partnership with Gavilan College. Offering coursework was only the first step; this initiative reflects our deep commitment to supporting each team member’s personal growth and professional development. 

The program was designed to create meaningful opportunities for our staff to develop and thrive, without compromising their full-time work commitments. SJB University offers specialized, asynchronous courses focused on early care and education, allowing team members to engage with the material on their own time and at their own pace. Courses support professional growth by helping staff deepen their knowledge, obtain teaching permits, and strengthen the skills needed for career advancement. Every course is intentionally developed with the goal of making our educators feel empowered, well-prepared, and confident in their roles. 
 
To ensure every participant feels supported throughout their educational journey, SJB has also appointed a dedicated liaison to assist staff through every step of the process. From navigating the registration system and managing coursework deadlines to troubleshooting technology issues and staying organized, the liaison serves as a consistent, approachable resource. This personalized support helps ease the transition into academic life and empowers staff to focus on learning without unnecessary stress.

To date, more than 65 staff members have participated in the summer and fall sessions which is an inspiring reflection of our team’s dedication to continuous learning. We see this not just as coursework, but as an opportunity to build future leaders who will carry forward the mission, vision and values of SJB. The results are already evident, as staff members are applying their new skills in the classroom and making a meaningful difference in the lives of the children and families we serve.

One such leader is Ms. Flor from SJB Gateway, who shared, “The experience was incredibly valuable, as I gained insight into family and community support, as well as educational systems theory. I am especially thankful to the dedicated staff who guided and encouraged me in continuing my education and pursuing my goals. I look forward to taking more online classes to complete my studies. Thank you, SJB, for your unwavering support.”
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At SJB, we know that professional development is only one piece of the puzzle. True growth also means supporting the whole person. That’s why we’re committed to fostering a workplace culture where learning is encouraged, progress is celebrated, and every team member feels seen, supported, and valued.
SJB University is just one example of how we’re creating a culture rooted in care, growth, and continuous improvement. We’re excited for what lies ahead and proud of the incredible strides our team is making. Together, we’re shaping brighter futures; for our staff, our students, and the communities we serve.

SJB Child Development Centers is thrilled to announce the opening of our newest preschool classroom at SJB Rouleau. This exciting expansion reflects our ongoing commitment to providing quality care and education to the children and families in our community. 

More than just a new classroom, this expansion offers young learners a nurturing space where curiosity, creativity, and a passion for learning come to life. Through our play-based learning approach, children are encouraged to explore their own interests, allowing us to meet them at their individual levels and pace. Our goal is to help every child develop critical life skills such as problem-solving, communication, and collaboration through interactive experiences like hands-on activities, engaging stories, and group projects. At the heart of this new classroom is a team of passionate educators committed to adapting to the unique needs of each child. Learning at SJB is not one-size-fits-all; it’s a personal journey of growth, discovery, and joy.

Iyare Isibor, Site Supervisor at SJB Rouleau, shares her inspiring vision by saying, "Our goal is to empower children to become their own mentors, teachers, and authors of their learning journey, helping them grow into confident, caring, and compassionate individuals who will play a key role in bringing the world back to a place of unity."

At SJB Child Development Centers, we recognize the importance of providing a safe and stimulating environment where children can thrive. SJB Rouleau has been designed with this in mind, creating a welcoming space that encourages exploration and growth. We are deeply committed to fostering academic and social-emotional growth in every child, ensuring they develop the skills needed to succeed in school and in life.

This expansion also provides children and families with the opportunity to stay at SJB Rouleau longer, offering a seamless transition from our toddler classroom into our preschool classroom. This continuity supports stronger connections and more consistent developmental progress.
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We are excited to welcome new children and families to SJB Rouleau. We look forward to continuing to serve our community with the same passion, care, and commitment that have always defined SJB Child Development Centers.

​In a continued effort to strengthen ties with the community, SJB Child Development Centers recently welcomed San Jose District 7 Councilmember Bien Doan and District 8 Councilmember Domingo Candelas for visits to our centers. These visits provided a valuable opportunity to build meaningful relationships with local leaders and engage in important conversations about the future of early care and education in our communities.
 
Councilmember Doan had the opportunity to visit SJB Kennedy, while Councilmember Candelas visited SJB Overfelt; each gaining a firsthand look at the meaningful work we do to support the individual needs of the children in our care.  During their visits, the councilmembers explored our classrooms, connected with staff, and engaged with the children all while witnessing the nurturing environments that help build a strong foundation for lifelong learning. 
 
Reena Saini, Site Supervisor at SJB Overfelt, expressed her enthusiasm about the visit, stating, “We were delighted to welcome Councilmember Candelas to SJB Overfelt. It was fantastic to see him connect with our children and staff.   His support truly means a great deal to us as we strive to provide a safe and nurturing environment for our children to grow and thrive.”
 
Connecting directly with local leaders enables us to advocate for resources, policies, and support that can positively impact the children and families we serve. These visits provide valuable opportunities for collaboration and innovation as we work to strengthen and expand our services. A particularly meaningful aspect of these visits was opening a line of dialogue between our agency’s leadership and those in positions to create real change. Through productive conversations about the needs of families and upcoming initiatives, we can pave the way for effective solutions and stronger community partnerships.
 
Both Councilmember Doan and Councilmember Candelas expressed their appreciation for the dedication of our staff and affirmed their commitment to supporting early care and education in our community.  SJB is proud to be a vital resource for families across Santa Clara County, and we recognize the importance of working hand-in-hand with others who are making a positive impact. We extend our sincere thanks to the councilmembers for taking the time to visit our centers, and we look forward to continuing to build meaningful relationships with local leaders. Together, we can create brighter futures for the children and families we serve.

​During these uncertain times, we want to take a moment to reassure you that SJB Child Development Centers remains a steady and unwavering presence. We recognize that the challenges of today affect us all in different ways, and we want you to know that we are here with compassion, strength, and commitment to support our entire SJB community.

At the core of our work is a deep dedication to the growth, development, and well-being of the children we serve, thoughour mission extends far beyond the classroom. We are here for our families, educators, partners, and neighbors alike; offering support, care, and connection when it’s needed most.
Whether through educational support, family resources, community partnerships, or simply being a trusted presence in your life, we remain committed to walking alongside you. Our goal is to ensure that everyone who is part of the SJB community feels seen, supported, and empowered.

While the world around us continues to shift, one thing remains certain: we will continue to show up, stand together, and serve with heart. It is in times like these that our sense of community shines brightest.
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Thank you for your continued trust, partnership, and belief in our mission. Together, we are building a future filled with opportunity, resilience, and hope for our children, for our families, and for our entire community.

In March 2023, SJB Child Development Centers (SJB) formed an Inclusion Collaborative Committee that focuses on creating equal opportunities for all children, including those with disabilities or delays. The primary goal of the committee is to ensure that all families have access to high quality childcare and a sense of belonging through relationship-based collaboration that connects the child’s learning environment at home and school. The committee is comprised of staff members from our Educational Health and Supportive Services Department, Family Services Department, and Program Department. This inter-agency team meets monthly to ensure that SJB is maintaining our goal of intentionally including all children and families in our program.
 
Picha Wilson, Director of the Educational Health and Supportive Services Department, says, “I’m thrilled to partner with the Program Team to expand our inclusion services. Together, our shared mission is to continue to foster high quality learning environments that welcome all children, celebrate their differences, and nurture their individual potential.” Picha has been instrumental in the construction of the committee and oversees many of its goals and aspirations. 
 
SJB believes that each child has unique needs and deserves an individualized educational experience, which is why our classrooms provide inclusive settings that recognize children’s varied abilities, interests, talents, needs, and learning styles. SJB maintains an integration of physical, cognitive, social-emotional, linguistic, self-help, and aesthetic areas for a child's total development, which helps them foster a positive self-image and increased self-esteem. 
 
Building a nurturing environment that upholds these values, starts with properly training and supporting our staff so that they can meet the needs of all children across our centers. Some of the in-house services provided to SJB employees include access to a Quality Coach, Mental Health Advisor, Behavioral Specialists, and Instructional Aides. 
 
Yuliana McMurtry, SJB’s Quality Coach, has been instrumental in laying the foundation for the agency’s inclusion work. As our in-house trainer of the Teaching Pyramid, she provides individual coaching to teachers and conducts classroom observations to ensure that we are promoting children’s social-emotional development through positive behavioral support. This framework is a best practice in inclusive classrooms and allows all children to succeed.
 
Our Mental Health Advisor, Tessa van Bekkum, provides Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (ECMHC) at the program, center, and classroom level as well as for individual children and families who don’t already receive this support through Early Headstart and Headstart. ECMHC is a collaborative, capacity-building support that aims to strengthen staff and families’ ability to support the social-emotional needs of children in their care and includes reflective facilitation for staff, classroom/child observations and recommendations, collaboration with all caregivers on goals and strategies, and connection to resources. 
 
In her own words, Tessa believes, “Everyone has mental health and, just like any other type of health, it is important we take care of it. By working with staff and parents to support children in their ability to build strong relationships, explore and learn, and understand their emotions from an early age, SJB is promoting children’s lifelong healthy development while addressing and preventing risks to their mental health.” 
 
The inclusion program aims to break down any barriers that would hinder a child’s educational success by nurturing best practices that foster inclusive learning strategies, confidence, self-esteem, and healthy relationships with others. Research has shown that inclusion is beneficial to all families, not just to those that are navigating the challenges of raising a child with a disability or a delay. Understanding this, we are proud to continue to promote and expand these services in all our centers. Below is just one example of the positive impact that SJB has been able to make through our inclusive practices.
 
“SJB has made a big impact on my life by helping me navigate being a new parent. My son is 8 years old and has been with SJB for six years. Coming from a low-income community, all their resources have been very helpful. He received assistance with speech therapy and communication skills to better interact with other children and adults, along with potty training. Everyone at SJB is so nice, and being with them has allowed me to go out and find a job without having to stress and worry about how my child is doing. SJB feels like my family.” 
 
                                                                                   - Diana Martinez, SJB Parent
                                                                                                       

SJB Child Development Centers hosted its annual Health and Wellness Fair, dedicated to equipping staff with practical information and resources for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. This event, designed to address well-being, stress management, and combating everyday fatigue, provided a comprehensive platform for staff engagement.
 
The fair featured multiple breakout sessions, each led by instructors and speakers covering diverse topics such as posture correction, meditation, and invigorating exercises. 
 
With a focus on three key areas—promoting physical activity, fostering healthy habits, and encouraging mindfulness—the fair offered activities like a high-intensity Pound Class and a relaxing Yoga Class, both aimed at getting everyone moving and engaged.
 
In a seminar led by a chiropractic expert, staff members learned about the importance of 
maintaining healthy habits and relieving stress through proper posture. There was a mindfulness seminar that created a serene atmosphere with eucalyptus and pleasant aromas, providing practical insights on relaxation through meditation and controlled breathing.
 
Along with the breakout sessions, there were also over twenty vendors present ranging from retirement planning to reflexology, all with the intent of expanding benefits to overall health. 
 
The day concluded with a raffle drawing where staff had the chance to win prizes aligned with the fair's health and wellness objectives. The Health and Wellness Fair Committee demonstrated exceptional organizational skills, offering an event that not only shared valuable knowledge but also promoted personal growth. The emphasis on restoration and connection left staff feeling revitalized and energized, contributing to a positive and supportive work culture at SJB Child Development Centers.
 
"As a new employee with only two months with SJB under my belt, I went into the fair not knowing what to expect but came out of it feeling immense pride in the fact that I was working in an environment that put so much care and effort into my mental and physical health. Getting the opportunity to meet all the staff members made me feel so welcomed into the wonderful culture that SJB has cultivated. I immediately felt as if I was part of something larger than myself or the agency; I felt like I was part of a family."
                                                                                                                                               - Jasonjit Singh 

With another year upon us, I am excited to share the incredible strides SJB Child Development Centers is taking to prioritize the health and wellness of our most valuable asset: our employees. 
 
In the stressful landscape of today's world, we recognize that our success is not just measured by our growth, but in the well-being and happiness of our children, families, and staff as well. Over the past year, we have embarked on a journey to enhance our agency culture by placing a renewed emphasis on the health and wellness of our cohesive family. It is imperative that we start our efforts at the very foundation of our agency and move outwards from there. 
 
By prioritizing employee well-being, we are not only ensuring the success of our agency today but also building a precedent for sustained success in the future. If our employees are looked after and their needs are tended to, then we can make a more lasting impact on the children and families that we serve. Through the commitment of our Health and Wellness Committee as well as Employee Assistance Programs, we have been making a tremendous effort to provide resources and support to whomever may need it. 
 
Together, we will continue to evolve and grow, not only as an agency but as a community that cares for and supports each other on the journey to building better tomorrows, today. On behalf of SJB Child Development Centers, I would like to extend my heartfelt wishes for a fantastic year, brimming with excellent health and prosperity.