The University of the Philippines Manila Creche and Child Center celebrated its 30th year in 2025. As a service-providing unit to the University and the Philippine General Hospital employees, our mandate is aligned with the unit’s mission of providing dedicated service to guiding the young children of UP Manila and PGH employees. We help in developing their social skills to think creatively, demonstrate independence, show critical reasoning, communicate effectively, and maintain a mind that is receptive to lifelong learning, within an environment that is wholesome and safe, pervaded by an atmosphere of loving and caring people, with parents as our partners. The unit has produced outstanding graduates and professionals, some of whom are now health care providers such as physicians or staff who have come back to serve as UP-PGH employees. We continue to be faithful to our service to support the University and the PGH employees to enable them to work with utmost efficiency as their children are well-taken cared of and are safe at Creche.

Dr. Vanessa-Maria F. Torres-Ticzon, DHPEd, FPPS, FPSAMS

The concept of day care has been a long time dream. Chancellor Perla Santos-Ocampo, then immediate past Chair of the Department of Pediatrics, tasked Dr. Carmencita Padilla, then Chief Resident of the Department of Pediatrics, to identify a breastfeeding facility for the UP Manila employees. A room was identified at Ward 12, which was still then, awaiting budgetary allocation for reconstruction. The breastfeeding facility was designed by a prominent architect gratis, and Dr. Santos-Ocampo offered to fund the construction using personal funds. Unfortunately, this plan was aborted when PGH Director Felipe Estrella decided to start construction in the said area.

The committee on Resource Generation was created by the Office of the Chancellor to support the special projects with special emphasis on personnel welfare. In 1994, the committee conducted a survey to identify priority concerns of the UP Manila employees. The survey revealed the following: transportation/shuttle services, day care facilities for the children of the employees, dormitory/housing facilities and parking buildings. After extensive deliberation and consultation with the administration, the Day Care Project was declared as the most feasible project considering its limited resources.

Eight years later, Chancellor Santos-Ocampo welcomed the recommendation of the Committee on Resource Generation to set up a day care facility. Guided by the Assistant Chancellor for Administration, Dr. Napoleon Apolinario, steps were undertaken to identify the place, as well as the donors for the facility. After a long search, the present location was generously offered by the PGH administration under Dr. Felipe Estrella. On June 15, 1994, a marker was laid in the proposed site, the space between the chapel and Ward I. Dr. Apolinario negotiated with JD Legaspi for the construction of the building. The building was furnished primarily through funds generated from a movie premier organized by the Committee on Resource Generation and a donation of the PGH Auxiliary Board. And at the end, when funds were still lacking to complete the facility, the members of the Committee on Resource Generation contributed personal funds to ensure its completion. Initially referred to as the Day Care Center, it has been renamed Crèche and Child Center. Creche and Child Center accepted 54 kids as its first batch of students in the school year 1995-1996.

Institutionalization/ BOR Approval

Established in June 1995, the Center has approximately 2,000 graduates and continues to work toward its institutionalization. We look forward to the University’s support in securing its BOR approval at the earliest possible time.

Mission

The Crèche and Child Center dedicates our service to guiding the young children of UP Manila and PGH employees– in developing social skills to think creatively, demonstrating independence, showing critical reasoning, communicating effectively, and maintaining a mind that is receptive to lifetime learning, within an environment that is wholesome and safe, pervaded by an atmosphere of loving and caring people, with parents as our partners.

Vision

A community of youthful citizens, demonstrating the initial traits and skills of creative thinking, critical reasoning, effective communication and continuous learning, nurtured by the love and care of teachers and caregivers, in partnership with parents and friends, in an environment that is wholesome and safe

Dedication, integrity, quality education and childminding services, safety, and efficiency

The Center has been accredited by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) since 2002 as an Early Childhood Care and Development Center. We are scheduled to renew its license later this year.