News & Insights
Photo courtesy of: Greg Land
Expanding access through early learning
On a summer morning in July 2025, Monterey Peninsula College students and employees arrived to drop off their children at the newly reopened doors of Little Lobos Academy.
Inside, classrooms are once again filled with movement, conversation, and the rhythms of early learning. For the families who rely on it, the center is more than a preschool; it is a critical piece of infrastructure that makes it possible to attend class, go to work, and stay connected.
Following a $4.8 million transformation, the on-campus preschool has been reimagined as a modern, inclusive learning environment designed to serve both MPC-affiliated families and the broader Monterey County community.
Designed to serve children ages 2 to 5, the revitalized facility maintains its 96-child capacity while prioritizing enrollment for Monterey Peninsula College students and employees, along with families who qualify for state-supported early education programs.
This approach reflects a deliberate balance. The center strengthens the college ecosystem by supporting student persistence and workforce participation, while also expanding access to high-quality early learning for families across the region. It also positions MPC to better recruit and retain faculty and staff by addressing one of the most persistent barriers facing working families: access to reliable, high-quality childcare.
But the impact extends beyond early learners’ needs. Little Lobos Academy also functions as a lab school, providing hands-on training for MPC students pursuing careers in early childhood education. This dual-purpose model supports both immediate community needs and long-term workforce development in the education sector.
At a time when access to early childhood education remains uneven, MPC’s investment represents a targeted, equity-driven response. The redesigned program emphasizes:
Together, these elements position Little Lobos Academy as both a community resource and a scalable model for inclusive early education delivery.
As project manager, B&D played a central role in guiding the transformation, aligning stakeholders, maintaining schedule and budget, and ensuring the final outcome reflected MPC’s mission of access and service.
“This was an incredibly meaningful project for our entire team,” said Cody Carpino, Project Manager at B&D. “Knowing that this space will directly support families, create opportunities for children, and help train future educators made the work especially gratifying. It’s the kind of project that reminds us why we do what we do.”
Today, the Little Lobos Academy stands as more than a preschool; it is a strategic investment in educational access, workforce stability, and long-term community resilience.
By pairing thoughtful design with a mission-driven program, Monterey Peninsula College has created a space that supports not only the success of its students and employees, but also the broader community it serves.
