It is one of the largest and most robust early childhood education centers in the state. It is also a “living-learning laboratory” for hundreds of UD students interested in strengthening knowledge, health and wellness for Delaware’s youngest citizens.

For 20 years now, the University of Delaware’s Early Learning Center (ELC), has provided hands-on discovery learning to children from the pivotal ages of 6 weeks through 8 years.

Housed within the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) and located on the College’s Children’s Campus, the ELC complements the Lab School, which serves infants and children through kindergarten, and The College School, which serves children in grades 1 through 8.

Kelly Freel and Jessica Peace, who collaboratively co-direct the ELC, shared their thoughts on the value of early care and education, the importance of family, state and community partnerships and more.

What is unique about the care that the ELC provides?

At the ELC, we support the whole child by providing hands-on discovery learning through play experiences, intentionally designed by our teaching teams in planned activities, individual conversations and interactions and day-to-day routines and structures. We are one of the largest and most robust early care and education centers in the state of Delaware, with more than 200 children and more than 45 full-time staff members. We also have nearly 90 part-time staff members who support our daily operations.

Despite our size, we have worked hard over the years to make our environment intimate, relationship-based and family-focused. Family partnerships are the very heart of our philosophy. We partner with families in setting goals, sharing successes, completing child screenings and watching for any developmental milestones that may need more support. Our outstanding team of dedicated professionals understands that they are laying the foundation for all future educational experiences, and they know that the first step in this journey is building trust with parents and caregivers.

Can you tell us more about how the ELC helps UD community members learn and grow? 

We are a living laboratory for the university, with 200 UD students across six UD colleges who complete practicums, field placements, internships, research, volunteer hours and/or service projects within the spaces of the ELC. Our team supports them by providing real-world, high-quality learning experiences. For example, the ELC provides one of the rare opportunities for early childhood education students to work closely with families and their children from the beginning of their children’s educational journey as infants through their entry into elementary schools. Project GROW school psychology students lead groups in social emotional learning. Science majors perform thrilling science demonstrations for our preschoolers. Doctoral candidates in the physical therapy program plan physical activity and movement with our children. In the past, students studying landscape architecture helped design and build edible forest gardens for our outdoor spaces, and UD Fresh to You farm interns have worked to upkeep our garden spaces.

The ELC also welcomes research teams. Many researchers across disciplines have found the ELC to be rich with multiple age groups of children, as well as interested families eager to share their experiences. One thing is for sure: if you have a research idea, the ELC team can help you make it happen! Prospective researchers can learn more about working with us through our website.

With CEHD’s Delaware Institute for Excellence in Early Childhood Education (DIEEC), the ELC recently received a grant to provide child care access to undergraduate and graduate student parents. Can you tell us more about that? 

Yes, with support from the UD Graduate College, the Division of Student Life and the Office of Institutional Equity, DIEEC and the ELC have received a federal Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) grant. This grant will provide $2 million over the next four years for the establishment of campus-based child care services at the ELC for Pell Grant-eligible UD college students.

We are thrilled to be a part of the CCAMPIS grant. It’s a wonderful opportunity to support our UD student parents and for their children to experience high-quality care and education while their parents complete their degrees. We are currently accepting applications for fall 2024 enrollment across all age groups. Also, be on the lookout for our family services coordinator at recruiting and information events!

What are some current ways that you’re engaging with our Delaware communities?

The most important community partnerships are the ones that add value and equity for all children and families, like our partnership with New Directions Early Head Start in our infant and toddler program; the state-funded seats for our preschool and pre-K children; our participation in Purchase of Care and the Child and Adult Care Food Program; and our new CCAMPIS grant. These partnerships allow the ELC to invite children and families regardless of their income or need and enable all families to experience and participate in high-quality education for their children.

We are also very proud of our work partnering with local school districts. We have successfully hosted high school students in paid internships through various pathways and teacher academies. We are moving into our third school year hosting students and know we are making a difference for future educators. Our high school students report that they love the opportunities they have to directly explore with children what they have learned in their classrooms and to continue learning and working with young children!

The ELC—open 51 weeks a year from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. during the work week—celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. To learn more, visit its website.

This article is the third of a three-part series with CEHD Children’s Campus directors. Read more about The College School and the Lab School.

Read this article on UDaily.

Article by Jessica Henderson. Photos by Kathy F. Atkinson.