Our most basic link is that we all inhabit the same planet.
We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children's future.
- John F. Kennedy

NAEYC Official Video

Mission
The Child Development Center is a demonstration early childhood education facility for Keene State College students, practicing professionals, and children and their families. The Center strives to model best practices by offering nurturing environments where young children are encouraged to explore, to be creative, to cultivate positive relationships, to experience the joy of learning, and to develop a sense of community. Under the guidance of mentor teachers and in collaboration with education faculty, college students are provided with multiple opportunities to apply theory to the actual practice of teaching. The Center also provides educational support and resources to families and professionals from the community.

The Child Development Center (CDC) is a best practices laboratory early childhood education center located on the Keene State College campus in Eliot Hall. The CDC is a learning community dedicated to providing excellent programs for young children and practical experiences for students studying to be teachers. Undergraduate and graduate students are offered supervised experiences under the guidance of early childhood professionals, in the direct education and care of infant, toddlers, and children. Many students also work in the CDC as volunteers and work study students.

The CDC provides a full day of carefully planned experiences for children from 4 months to 5 years old. The children learn through play in nurturing, aesthetically pleasing environments. There are 4 classrooms; infant, toddler, younger preschool, older preschool. Children truly learn to live together as they are helped to act kindly and respectfully toward one another, to consider others points of view, and to care about others joys and sorrows.

The CDC curricula follow an integrated model in which children learn as they observe, play, and participate in a wide range of child centered activities. Family communication and involvement is integral to the program. We welcome observations by anyone interested in excellent early childhood programs for young children.

Families
The family is the child's first teacher. At the CDC families are considered partners in their children's learning. Families are always welcome to visit their children's classrooms and given many opportunities to be involved. Family-teacher conversations, newsletters, meetings, and family events happen regularly. The CDC is an education community that seeks to enrich the experience of all involved by including as diverse a population of children and adults as possible. It is an inclusive program.

CDC as a Demonstration site for College Students
The Child Development Center is a teacher preparation site for Keene State College students who are pursuing their degrees in Child Development, Early Childhood or related fields. As a best practices laboratory we stay current in Early Childhood approaches and educational research. Also, staff at the CDC coordinates the New England Storytelling Conference each spring.

The college students play an active role in curriculum development and child guidance under the supervision of CDC teachers who act as role models and mentors. Students plan activities and curricular foci, read stories, supervise play, and are involved in every aspect of classroom life. The staff supports the development of the special relationships students and children form. The CDC offers many other opportunities for college students in addition to student teaching, the KSC Students page has more information.

The CDC is licensed by the State of New Hampshire. Our child-to-adult ratio exceeds licensing standards of both the State of New Hampshire and the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Staff members are CPR and First Aid certified.

Classrooms
At the CDC we offer enrollment for early childhood education to children from four months through 4 years 11 months of age in 4 programs: Infant, Toddler, Younger Preschool, and Older Preschool. The center is open from 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM from early September to mid June. Professional, experienced, highly qualified teams of teachers dedicated to their work with young children guide the children. Classroom teams include teachers with a bachelor or master's degree and significant experience in Early Childhood Education. Each team includes at least one Facilitating Teacher who is responsible for direct supervision of academic students and college course instruction. Additional staff members include the Director, Office Manager, and Academic Program Coordinator.

We are committed to providing safe, nurturing environments where children, in mixed age groupings, can build positive relationships and a sense of community. We value and encourage children's natural curiosity. We emphasize warm and caring relationships and help the children develop a sense of trust and self-confidence. Children are given opportunities to explore their interests individually and within small and large groups, both in the classroom and out-of-doors.

Families provide all the food that infants are served. Older children bring their own lunches; snacks and beverages are provided. Children rest and nap after lunch. Outdoor play and /or excursions to get fresh air are a regular part of the day in all the programs.