The Child Development Laboratory (CDL) is a teaching and research facility for child development and early childhood professionals sponsored by the School of Family, Consumer, and Nutrition Sciences. Accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the laboratory provides inclusive, full-day, mixed-age child care in a nurturing and supportive environment with low teacher-child ratios. High quality care is implemented by the full-time staff that is highly educated in child development and early childhood education.
There are two classrooms and a playground for the mixed ages of infants, toddlers, and twos. There is one preschool classroom and a separate playground for the mixed ages of three to seven year old children. Observation booths with sound are available for parents, students, and faculty to observe and/or conduct research.
Enrollment is open to the University and surrounding communities. Half-day and full-day spaces are available year-round. Children are enrolled based on available space, time of request, and child’s age. A waiting list is maintained on a first come, first served basis. Assessment of each child’s readiness for a group experience is made in early contacts.