Each August, the Facilities Services team pulls together for three days in a concentrated effort to refresh UC San Francisco childcare centers and prepare them for the new school year.
Facilities Services assistant superintendent Debbie Lozano Pena, project manager Jeimy Loyola, custodial supervisor Elia Camacho, and landscaping supervisors Denny Nguyen and Dunja Duranovic led the effort to complete a variety of building upgrades and landscaping projects at the University Child Care Center at Mission Bay and Kirkham Child Development Center at Parnassus Heights.
Facilities upgrades brighten the University Child Care Center at Mission Bay.
“During the closure, we completed a full floor project that included stripping and waxing. We also did a deep cleaning of kitchens, restrooms, windows, and windowsills to make sure all areas were refreshed and ready for use,” Camacho said.
For Camacho, the success of the project depends on having a team of people who want to strive toward high-quality work.
“I’m fortunate to have a great team that really enjoys these kinds of projects. We approach it as a special assignment, and everyone is willing to go the extra mile," Camacho said.
"We worked over the weekend, divided the assignments carefully, and supported one another—especially when it came to moving furniture for the floor work. That teamwork made it possible to finish everything within the short timeframe,” Camacho said.
Lozano Pena’s team did strip and wax on all floors, carpet shampoo, window washing, dusting, and deep cleaning of all restrooms, classrooms, and breakrooms.
“I just want to highlight the hard work of my team because without their collaboration, the entire cleanup would not be possible,” Lozano Pena said.
Duranovic’s team helped restore the outdoor spaces at the Kirkham Child Development Center.
“We pressure washed play yard area and play structures. We brushed the sand out of the artificial turf back into the sandboxes. We also cleaned walls so they are clean and ready to be decorated with chalk,” Dunja Duranovic said, “[The] yard will look refreshed and safe for staff and children.”
For Duranovic, the success of the project came from the close communication and collaboration between Facilities and Family Services.
“Nathalie Larsen [director of Family Services] is really organized and gives us schedules and the center’s priorities with plenty of notice, so we have adequate time to plan. We dedicate enough staff and two full days so we can complete all tasks,” Duranovic said.
Larsen in turn appreciates the supportive efforts of the Facilities team.
"They are such great partners and do amazing work. It makes such a difference for our centers," Larsen said.
The work that Facilities does not only improves the look and feel of spaces, but also ensures the safety and enjoyment of children, parents, and staff.
Deep cleaning at the University Child Care Center at Mission Bay keeps spaces tidy and welcoming.
“The refreshed floors, clean restrooms, kitchens, and brightened windows all contribute to a healthier, safer, and more welcoming environment. When parents see how clean and tidy everything is, with everything in its place, it reassures them that their children are in a safe environment. For staff, it also makes their workspaces more pleasant and functional,” Camacho said.
Thanks to these efforts, the buildings are refreshed and ready for children to enjoy.
“We are very proud of the work we do. My team is very proud. Their dedication and teamwork really show in the results, and I’m grateful for the effort they put in to make sure everything is completed to a high standard,” Camacho said.