When questions about your child's development begin to feel unclear, getting the right guidance can bring real peace of mind.
Stars Assessment Center provides developmental assessments for infants and toddlers ages 0–3, helping families across Santa Cruz County better understand early concerns in speech, movement, learning, behavior, and sensory development.
We focus on giving parents clarity about what they're seeing, what it may mean, and what steps can help next.
Business Hours
- Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- Saturday: 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
- Sunday: Closed
Support for Early Developmental Concerns
In early childhood, development can change quickly, and concerns don't always look the same from child to child.
We support families when they notice:
- Delayed speech or very limited words
- Delayed crawling, walking, or coordination
- Reduced response to name or familiar voices
- Strong reactions to sound, touch, or movement
- Limited engagement in play or interaction
- General uncertainty about developmental progress
These signs don't always indicate a serious issue, but they do signal when it may help to take a closer look.
Our evaluations help parents understand development across multiple areas, not just one isolated concern.
Understanding Your Child's Development
The first three years are a time of rapid growth in how children communicate, move, think, and interact.
Many parents come to us with questions like:
- Why is my child not talking yet?
- Should I be worried about delayed walking?
- Is it normal that they don't respond to their name?
- Why do they react strongly to certain sounds or textures?
- Are they developing at the right pace?
Our role is to turn these concerns into clear, structured developmental insight so you understand what is typical and what may need support.
Areas We Evaluate
We look at early development across key areas:
Speech and Communication
How children understand language, respond, and begin to use words and gestures.
Motor Development
Crawling, walking, coordination, balance, and fine motor skills.
Cognitive Development
Early learning, attention, memory, and problem-solving skills.
Social and Emotional Development
Interaction, emotional responses, play behavior, and early bonding.
Sensory Development
How children respond to sound, touch, movement, and environmental input.
Each evaluation is designed to provide a complete developmental picture rather than focusing on a single concern.
Schedule an AssessmentReasons Families Reach Out
Families often contact us when they notice:
- Fewer words than expected for age
- Not consistently responding to name
- Delayed physical milestones
- Sensory overreactions or avoidance
- Reduced social engagement or play interest
- Concerns raised during routine checkups
These concerns are common, and an evaluation helps bring clarity without guesswork.
How the Evaluation Process Works
Start with Your Concerns
We begin by understanding what you've observed at home.
Developmental Evaluation
A trained specialist observes key developmental areas in a supportive setting.
Clear Explanation
We explain findings in simple language so you understand what they mean.
Next Steps Guidance
You receive recommendations based on your child's developmental profile.
Why Families Choose Stars Assessment Center
- Focused exclusively on early childhood (0–3 years)
- Whole-child developmental evaluations
- Clear, parent-friendly communication
- Calm, supportive evaluation environment
- Early identification and guidance focus
- Multilingual support available
- Serving Santa Cruz County and surrounding communities
Proudly Serving Families Throughout Santa Cruz County
We welcome families from across Santa Cruz County, California, including:
- Capitola
- Santa Cruz
- Scotts Valley
- Watsonville
We provide developmental assessments and early childhood support for infants and toddlers ages 0–3 throughout these communities.
Helping Families Move Forward with Clarity
If you're noticing developmental concerns, you don't have to wait for certainty or navigate it alone.
Stars Assessment Center supports families across Santa Cruz County with clear developmental understanding during the most important early years of growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
We assess infants and toddlers from birth to 3 years.
Speech delays, motor delays, sensory sensitivities, and social or learning concerns are common.
No referral is required to schedule an evaluation.
You receive clear findings and guidance on recommended next steps.
Early understanding helps identify support needs during the most critical stage of development.