SERVING IUSD SINCE 1989
​Our Mission
The Rainbow Centers provide a quality, safe and fun program for children. We use positive communication, activities, and patience to create responsible citizens for the future.

Our History
Rainbow Rising was established in 1989 for the sole purpose of meeting the needs of school-age children in Irvine, California. We are currently located at 15 elementary schools in Irvine. We provide before and after-school care as well as all daycare when school is not in session. Our all-day programs include fall intersessions, winter and spring recess, summer day camp, teacher in-service days, minimum days, modified days, and parent conference days.
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Our Programs
We have a developmentally based program with homework and enrichment time, recreational play, crafts, arts, music, dance, science, and math. We provide opportunities for socialization, friendships, and free choice play, as we believe these are essential building blocks for the whole child’s growth and development.
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The Rainbow
The Rainbow has been a part of our programs since our first preschool, afterschool program was started in 1979. We were called Rainbow River. Our children created our name Rainbow. We call ourselves Rainbow because it expresses wonder and beauty, it reflects the joy of nature and the science of water, light, and the sun, worldwide. It shows the majesty of our world, the colors of the spectrum, and the creativity of nature and children. In 1988 we established Rainbow Rising. We invite you to join our Rainbows.
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“Somewhere over the Rainbows, skies are blue, and the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true.” From the song “Somewhere over the Rainbow”, sung by Judy Garland, written by Edgar Harland for the movie,
The Wizard of OZ, 1939.
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“Why are there so many songs about rainbows, and what’s on the other side? Rainbows are visions, but only illusions, and rainbows have nothing to hide.” From the song “The Rainbow Connection”. Sung by Kermit the Frog, written by Paul Williams for “The Muppet Movie”, 1979.
The Rainbow Dragon
On a 1995 visit to the Sawdust Art Festival in Laguna Beach, we saw delightful watercolor paintings of dragons and children. One of the paintings stood out. We asked the artist, Ron Rodecker if we could purchase it and use it as a mascot for our centers. He had been an elementary school teacher for many years and a school principal and he graciously gave us the rights to use it however we wished. In 1999 he was hired by Columbia Pictures and Sesame PBS to design “Dragon Tales”. 140 episodes were made and it became the most-viewed children’s TV series worldwide.
Dragons are a part of every culture. The Rainbow Dragon is a friendly Dragon who likes to bring friends and families together. If you have any stories or information about dragons in your family or culture, please share it with us.