Quality Child Care and Education for Children
Quality child care and education for children is the foundation service at the Early Learning Center, based on what research has established as the best practice for children ages 6 weeks to 12 years. While the ELC serves other functions for child care professionals and for University of Delaware students and faculty, the training and research programs that take place at the ELC are reviewed by a committee of faculty, staff and parents to ensure that they do not jeopardize the quality of services to children and families.
The Early Learning Center is a unique facility that provides exemplary full-day, year-round care to a diverse community of children. The ELC cares for up to 30 infants, 48 toddlers, 84 preschoolers and 18 kindergarteners and offers before- and after-school care as well as a full-day summer camp for 65 children ages 5 through 12.
The ELC’s professional staff of 49 enables each group of children to have small classes and low child-to-staff ratios. Each infant room for example, accommodates six babies and two staff to care for them. Toddlers are in rooms of eight children with two staff. In addition to the professional staff, UD student interns give the children even more personal attention.
The children attending the ELC reflect the diversity of the community. Recognizing the documented importance of early childhood experiences to later development and success, the ELC encourages the enrollment of children with such risk factors as poverty, foster care and disabilities.
Download the below PDFs with more details regarding the ELC and 2008 enrollment.
- Letter from the Director
- Fact Sheet (includes tuition)
- Registration Form
- Waiting List Information
- Parent Right To Know Notice
- Welcome Flyer
Family Services & Support Programs
The Early Learning Center assists families with services and support, including links to community resources. Family support programs at the Early Learning Center focus on education, literacy and family interactions. On-site pediatric therapy services are provided by the UD Physical Therapy Department and that speech and language services are contracted as needed. Through the “Ask a Nurse” program, nurses and students are available to answer parents’ questions and provide health-related information. Graduate students in psychology work one-on-one with children and their families to improve problem behaviors.