Child Development Center

The Child Development Center serves as a clinical experience and practice site for pre-service teachers. Our center is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and is licensed to operate by the Department of Education. Our site also provides an environment in which research and development activities may be conducted.

Our teaching staff use multiple instructional approaches to optimize children’s opportunities for learning. We strongly believe that children learn best through play, so we have a play focused curriculum. The curriculum is fluid as it changes to match the differering needs and interests of the children in each class. We use reciprocal communication with families with sensitivity to cultural contexts to assess children’s developmental needs and progress. Teachers’ knowledge of each child helps to plan appropriately challenging activities that respond to each child’s strengths and needs. We are intentional teachers as we work to create meaningful experiences and environments for the children in our care. 

We believe that children are active learners and unique individuals. We value the contributions that cultural, racial, and socioeconomic diversity, and gender differences bring to the program. We encourage attitudes of acceptance and understanding. We encourage the acquisition of competencies in language, cognitive, social, emotional, and physical skills.

Our program employs and supports a teaching staff that has the educational qualifications, knowledge, and professional commitment necessary to promote children’s learning and development and to support families’ diverse needs and interests.

Our Mission: The MTSU Child Development Center exists to provide high quality child care in a lab school environment allowing early childhood majors the opportunity to practice teaching strategies while giving faculty a place to conduct research.

Our Vision: Inspiring in children imagination, creativity and learning through a playful environment.