
History
El Campito Child Development Center was founded by Concepcion and Ignacio Niño in 1970. It was created for the children of migrant workers, hence the name. The parents would go to "el campo," the field, and the children would go to "El Campito," the little field. The focus was and continues to be on children of migrant workers as well as low-income families. The Niños started out of their home, and it grew and grew until they bought a second house, then a small brick-and-mortar building, until 1986 when St. Stephan's Church donated their old school building on Thomas Street.
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In February 2023, El Campito Child Development Center had an opportunity to move to The 1Roof Southeast Center. A former El Campito Director and then-CEO of United Way, Laura Jensen, saw the move to 1Roof as a feasible solution to expand services while amplifying El Campito’s long-standing impact within the community. When 1Roof lost a tenant, the available space offered a perfect place for El Campito to grow.
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The vision for El Campito’s bright new chapter was set in motion in the summer of 2023. While the excitement was high and the potential was clear, the process of moving forward required patience and persistence. Ensuring quality required essential aspects such as grants, licensing, and the federal food program CACFP, which meant the moving process unfolded more slowly than we had initially envisioned.
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With steady progress and dedication, El Campito successfully moved into its new space at the end of March 2024. By April 2024, we were proud to open our new doors, ready to provide high-quality childcare in our modernized and revitalized setting! This move represented a chance to expand services, strengthen partnerships, and increase accessibility for families who need high-quality early childhood education the most. This transition made room for possibility.
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We have been here for about a year now, and our new space has allowed us to add three new classrooms, expanding our capacity to serve more families within the community. Best of all, our modern facilities have eradicated the challenges we faced in the old building. We no longer have the issues we used to face, when lack of air conditioning and outdated heating systems at the old building often forced us to close and disrupt care.
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With the move, our new location has allowed us to offer even more to our families, including a new gym and playground designed for children to stay active and engaged. We are so grateful to share this space with our wonderful neighbors and partners at the 1Roof Southeast Center. This meaningful relationship continues to strengthen our ties and deepen our roots within the community, allowing our families access to beneficial resources and opportunities.
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Today, families can count on us for a reliable, stable, and comfortable learning environment. At El Campito Child Development Center, every decision, from classroom design to curriculum, is guided by what is most attainable and impactful for the children and families in our community.
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We pride ourselves on being able to provide the best quality of care to those in our community who would not have access to it otherwise. Today, through the generous support of the community, El Campito has grown out of the Niño's home to become one of South Bend's oldest non-profit child development centers. We continue demonstrating our commitment to creating a community of our own - an inclusive environment that embraces and celebrates children from all cultures and backgrounds.​
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Achievements
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State Licensed
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Bilingual
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Paths to Quality Level 4
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NAEYC Accredited
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501(c)3 Non-profit
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In business for 50+ years


Our Staff
Here at El Campito, our staff comprises high-quality Early Childhood Education professionals. Each staff member brings a variety of experience and education to our building. All staff receive training annually and are continuously furthering their education through programs such as T.E.A.C.H.


Ms. Denyse
(she/her)
As the Director of Programs and Operations, Denyse manages the teaching staff, maintains curriculum, and provides the best quality of care for the staff and for the children. She has worked with children since 1995, and 15+ of those years she has spent caring for the children of El Campito.
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Child Care Experience since 1995
Favorite Color: Green
Favorite Snack: Brownies
Favorite El Campito Activity: The Christmas Program and Preschool Graduation

Ms. Alli
(she/her)
Alli serves as the Administration and Family Support Assistant. She provides assistance to the the administrators while also being the face of El Campito for anyone who walks into the building. You will most likely find her up at the front desk. She always tries to be cheerful and help out as much as she can!
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Child Care Experience since 2022
Favorite Color: Lavender
Favorite Snack: blueberries, strawberries, basically any fruit
Favorite El Campito Activity: Reading Time and Small Group Time

Ms. Aleyna
(she/her)
As Director of Development and Community Outreach, Aleyna researches and prepares grant proposals and other funding applications to ensure a high-
quality program is maintained. She develops partnerships within
the community to further advance El Campito’s mission and outreach! ​
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Child Care Experience since 2015
Favorite Color: Periwinkle
Favorite Snack: Colby Jack cheese with pretzel crackers
Favorite El Campito Activity: Outside Time and the Back to School Picnic
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Ms. Erika
(she/her)
As Financial Compliance and HR Coordinator, Erika encompasses human resources, bookkeeping, and general office activities. She also oversees the Child and Adult Food Care Program (CACFP) as the 504 Coordinator, and manages Child Care Vouchers for families.
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Child Care Experience since 2020
Favorite Color: Olive Green
Favorite Snack: Hot Cheetos
Favorite El Campito Activity: The Taco Battle Fundraiser

Ms. Kaylei
(she/her)
Infants's Class Teacher
Child Care Experience since 2019
Favorite color: Pink
Favorite Snack: Dill Pickle Lays Chips
Favorite El Campito Activity: Birthday Celebrations

Ms. Teala
(she/her)
Toddler Class Teacher
Child Care Experience since 2016
Favorite color: Red
Favorite Snack: Hot Cheetos
Favorite El Campito Activity: Music Time
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Ms. Mireya
(she/her)
EHS - CCP 1's Class Teacher
Child Care Experience since 2016
Favorite color: Black
Favorite Snack: Hot Cheetos
Favorite El Campito Activity: Family Engagement Activities
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Ms. Alma
(she/her)
EHS - CCP 2's Class Teacher
Child Care Experience 2014
Favorite Color: Sky Blue
Favorite Snack: Pretzels
Favorite El Campito Activity: Back to School Picnic

Ms. Zuleny
(she/her)
Early 3's Class Teacher
Child Care Experience since 2021
Favorite color: Blue and Gray
Favorite Snack: Fruit
Favorite El Campito Activity: Small Group Time and Outside Time

Ms. Irma
(she/her)
Young Preschool Class Teacher
Child Care Experience since 2021
Favorite Color: Dark Green
Favorite Snack: French Fries
Favorite El Campito Activity: Outside Time / Gym Time
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Ms. Nela
(she/her)
Pre - K Class Teacher
Child Care Experience Since 2010
Favorite Color: Red
Favorite Snack: Chips
Favorite El Campito Activity: Small Group Time

Ms. Mariela
(she/her)

Ms. Andrea
(she/her)
Infant's Class Teacher
Child Care Experience Since 2023
Favorite Color: Green
Favorite Snack: Fruit
Favorite El Campito Activity: Reading Time

Ms. Ynes
(she/her)
Toddler Class Teacher
Child Care Experience Since 2022
Favorite Color: White
Favorite Snack: Nutella
Favorite El Campito Activity: Music Time

(she/her)
Ms. Lili
EHS - CCP 1's Class Teacher
Child Care Experience since 2022
Favorite color: Yellow
Favorite Snack: Protein bars
Favorite El Campito Activity: The Holiday Program

Ms. Autumn
(she/her)
EHS - CCP 2's Class Teacher
Child Care Experience since 2018
Favorite Color: Orange
Favorite Snack: Anything white chocolate
Favorite El Campito Activity: Sensory Play

Ms. Eugenia
(she/her)
Early 3's Class Teacher
Child Care Experience since 2018
Favorite color: Pink
Favorite Snack: Cantaloupe
Favorite El Campito Activity: Large Group Time

Ms. Christina
(she/her)
Young Preschool Class Teacher
Child Care Experience since 2016
Favorite color: Forest Green
Favorite Snack: Spicy Cheeto Puffs
Favorite El Campito Activity: Small Group Time

Ms. Andrea
(she/her)
Pre - K Class Teacher
Child Care Experience since 2021
Favorite color: Lime Green
Favorite Snack: Peaches
Favorite El Campito Activity: Large Group Time


Ms. Yajaira
(she/her)
Infant's Class Support Staff
Child Care Experience Since 2006
Favorite Color: Green
Favorite Snack: Nutella
Favorite El Campito Activity: Greeting Time

Ms. Aila
(she/her)
Toddler Class Support Staff
Child Care Experience Since 2012
Favorite Color: Purple
Favorite Snack: Sabritas Hot Chips
Favorite El Campito Activity: Music Time


Ms. Maria
(she/her)
EHS - CCP 2's Class Support Staff
Child Care Experience since 2023
Favorite color: Black
Favorite Snack: Fruit
Favorite El Campito Activity: Outside Time

Ms. Terria
(she/her)
Early 3's Class Support Staff
Child Care Experience since 2020
Favorite color: Orange
Favorite Snack: Chips and Salsa
Favorite El Campito Activity: Small Group Time


Ms. Erica
(she/her)
Pre - K Class Support Staff
Child Care Experience Since 2019
Favorite Color: Baby Blue
Favorite Snack: Bagels and cream cheese
Favorite El Campito Activity: Outside Time

School Age Teacher
Child Care Experience since 2019
Favorite color: Pink
Favorite Snack: Cheetos
Favorite El Campito Activity: Rest Time

Ms. Kay
(she/her)


Support Staff
Child Care Experience Since 2013
Favorite Color: Pink
Favorite Snack: Hot Fries
Favorite El Campito Activity: The Fall Festival

Ms. Pilar
(she/her)
Facility Maintenance
Child Care Experience since 2016
Favorite color: Black
Favorite Snack: Mexican food
Favorite El Campito Activity: Seeing her job finished

Ms. Letty
(she/her)
Cook
Child Care Experience Since 2015
Kitchen Experience Since 1980
Favorite Color: Dark Purple and Red
Favorite Snack: Strawberries
Favorite El Campito Activity: The Taco Battle Fundraiser

Ms. Kelly
(she/her)
Assistant Cook
Child Care Experience Since
Kitchen Experience Since
Favorite Color:
Favorite Snack:
Favorite El Campito Activity:
Board of Directors
Board Members
Rob Michalak | Masterbilt, Inc
Jonathan Kitchens | Le Chat Digital Marketing
Shelley Pulaski | Interra Credit Union
Tatiana Botero | University of Notre Dame
John Kersey | The Healy Group
Courtney Kubly | DTSB
Nikki Elie | Press Ganey
Jen Lister | Cressy and Everett
Jessica Watkins | Hampton Industrial Services
Zulema Lee | Complexus Medical
Current Officers
Rob Michalak | President
Shelley Pulaski | Vice President
Zulema Lee | Treasurer
Tatiana Botero | Secretary