Child Development Center

The Alabama A&M University Child Development Center (CDC), established in 1947, operates as a laboratory center within the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences. The program serves children ages two through four and provides high-quality early childhood education experiences for young learners. The Center serves children from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and socioeconomic levels and is a valuable resource for faculty, staff, students, and the broader community. In addition, the CDC supports the University’s mission of teaching, research, and service by providing opportunities for student training, research initiatives, and community engagement.

About this program

Alabama A&M University Child Development Center philosophy is based on the belief that children are capable and inquisitive learners; thereby providing various learning opportunities in and outside the classroom. To support the mission, Experience Curriculum is used to provide young learners with every opportunity to build foundations to help children develop a lifelong love of learning. The objectives of the AAMU Child Development Center are to:

• Foster a love for learning and discovery.
• Promote self-esteem, self-worth, and self-respect in every child.
• Provide a warm, welcoming, and nurturing environment that inspires children to reach their full potential.
• Teach the importance of character development, family engagement, community involvement, and respect for individual differences.

Curriculum

Experience Curriculum is a developmentally appropriate, research-based curriculum designed for young children. It integrates hands-on learning experiences that support children’s development in multiple domains through play, projects, and intentional teaching. The curriculum includes tools for authentic assessment and observation of children’s progress along a developmental continuum, allowing teachers to scaffold learning based on individual needs.

Speech and hearing screenings are available at no cost to children attending the Child Development Center.  Screening will be done by the Alabama A&M Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic upon request.

Mode of Operation

The Child Development Center provides year-round services, with observed holidays and breaks as specified in the Parent Handbook.  The Center is open Monday-Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Tuition and fees

There is a $150.00 non-refundable fee due when applying for Fall and Spring semester enrollment.  If the child attends the summer program, there will be a $150.00 non–refundable registration fee for summer registration fee assessed for summer activities.

Tuition fees/payments will be submitted online via Brightwheel. Tuition should be paid on Monday of each week in advance of services. Tuition rates are as follows: Toddler class $150; Preschool class $135.00; and Pre-K class $125.00.