Maritime Child Development Center

Maritime Child Development Center in Richmond, California.

NPS photo/Luther Bailey

Maritime Child Development Center

Access: Active businesses and school. Currently viewable from outside only. Will resume historic classroom tours, soon.
Location: 1014 Florida Ave, Richmond, CA.

In addition to revolutionizing health care, Henry J. Kaiser also prioritized childcare for the families working in his four Richmond shipyards during World War II. Recognizing the need to support working parents, especially the increasing number of women entering the workforce, Kaiser established childcare centers with funding provided by the United States Maritime Commission. These centers were designed not just to care for children but to provide a comprehensive, progressive educational experience.

One of the largest facilities in Richmond was the Maritime Child Development Center, which opened its doors in 1943. This center became a model of wartime childcare, demonstrating how federally funded programs could effectively support working families. The center's establishment allowed many women to join the workforce, significantly contributing to the war effort by filling roles traditionally held by men who were now serving in the military.

Progressive Educational Programming:

The childcare centers, including the prominent Maritime Child Development Center, incorporated a variety of innovative services and curricula that were ahead of their time. The centers adopted progressive educational methods that focused on holistic child development. The curriculum was designed to stimulate cognitive, emotional, and social growth in young children.

Art classes at the centers recognized the importance of creativity in child development, allowing children to express themselves and develop their artistic skills. Nutrition was a key component of the childcare services, with the centers providing well-balanced hot meals to ensure that the children received the necessary nutrients for healthy growth and development. On-site health care services were available to address any medical needs the children might have, ensuring their well-being while their parents were at work. Understanding the stresses and challenges faced by working families, the centers also offered family counseling services to support parents and children alike.

Restoration and Current Use

Note: The building is currently closed to tours of the classroom. We hope to restore tours, soon.

Completely restored and reopened as a multi-use building in 2011, the Maritime Child Development Center now houses a small exhibit by the National Park Service that recreates a wartime preschool classroom. This exhibit provides a fascinating glimpse into the daily lives of the children who attended the center and the educational methods employed during that era.

The center is also currently the official headquarters of the Rosie the Riveter Trust, a non-profit partner of the park.