The Child Development Learning Center (CDLC) was established in 1950 and has been licensed by the Mississippi State Department of Health since June 23, 1980. It operates under the auspices of the Department of Human Sciences. The Department of Human Sciences has a long-standing history of concern, commitment, and involvement in programs for young children and their parents. This commitment is exemplified through the university’s land-grant mission of teaching, research, and outreach. University students observe and study the developmental characteristics of infants, toddlers, and young children (6 weeks to school-age entry) while gaining practical experiences and an in-depth perspective of the early childhood industry as a career. Also, the Child Development Learning Center serves as a research site for other university academic units and provides continuous learning opportunities for community-based early childhood programs. In carrying out its commitment, the Child Development Learning Center has set forth the following goals:
- To provide a high-quality early childhood environment that will foster optimal growth, development, and early learning in young children;
- To provide a learning laboratory that permits university students to interact with young children as they study their physical, social, emotional, and intellectual growth and development;
- To fulfill all childcare licensing standards set forth by the Mississippi Department of Health;
- To provide full-year, full-day childcare services for parents and a parenting education program to help facilitate parents’ role as teachers, learners, communicators, decision-makers, and collaborators, and
- To serve as an educational resource for community-based early childhood programs and other child-serving agencies.
Enrollment
The program accepts children between the ages of six weeks to five years. Although children are grouped according to age, the specific age for each classroom may vary. There is a waiting list for enrollment. Complete applications should include Form 121, Birth certificate, Copy of Social Security Card, and check stub. For more information about the CDLC, see the parent handbook below: