Child Development Center

Since 1972, the Kent State University Child Development Center, a nationally recognized laboratory school, has played a central role in educating and caring for children, professionally preparing teachers, and generating research to inform practice.  The Child Development Center is a tuition-based, fiscally independent program that serves approximately one hundred fifty children ages 18 months to six years from a variety of socioeconomic, cultural, and linguistic backgrounds.  Children of Kent State University faculty, staff, graduate, and undergraduate students as well as members of the greater Kent community are enrolled in our classrooms.  Ten lead teachers, one studio teacher, four associate teachers, and a myriad of interns, student teachers, and field experience students work and learn alongside children and families.

We offer both full and part time programs for children from eighteen months to six years.  Children are placed in one of our seven classrooms:  two for toddlers, four for preschoolers, and one kindergarten.  The school is open from 7:00a.m. to 5:30p.m., Monday through Friday, for approximately 10.5 months of the year.

History of the School

In 1972, the faculty of the University School, a laboratory program for children from age three through the sixth grade, vacated their faculty lounge in order to provide space for a new full day program for young children from ages two 1/2 to five. It became known as the Child Development Center. The Early Childhood Education Department provided support for this endeavor. When the University School closed in 1981, the CDC added a kindergarten to its already expanded program of preschool classes and infant-toddler-parent program. In 1991, the school moved to a new building on the Kent campus designed for young children.

Throughout our history, families have been integral to our work. We value the deep relationships that form when children, families, and teachers work to create an environment for learning together.