Childcare Capacity

The Early Learning Campus (ELC) currently has nearly 130-140 children registered for childcare. These children are from families who are affiliated with UofL or who are residents of the Louisville Scholar House (formerly Project Women). The hours of operation are from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. The ELC offers competitive rates and year-round care.

Staff and Accreditation

There are several elements that make the ELC distinctive including the credentials of the instructional staff. With education levels ranging from a Masters degree in Early Childhood Education to a CDA (Child Development Associate) credential, the ELC instructional staff is superior to most child care settings.

The center is licensed, meeting all required teacher pupil ratios, and is planning for NAEYC accreditation.

UofL and the ELC

A distinguishing characteristic of the partnership between UofL and Lousville Scholar House is the quality of professional care to the families of faculty, staff and students at the University, and the families of the Scholar House. The ELC serves a highly diverse group in terms of education and socioeconomic levels and ethnicity. Having such a cohesive yet diverse group as part of the ELC learning community will provide an enriched environment that is rare in the child care community.

As an integral part of the College of Education and Human Development, the Early Learning Campus will serve as a premiere site for student teachers from across the campus. In addition to opportunities for student teaching for early childhood and education majors, the ELC will serve as the place for teachers to learn how to integrate their area of expertise with young children.

The Early Childhood program at the College of Education and Human Development has outstanding researchers who will also be active on the ELC. The ELC will not only utilize current research in its design, curriculum and approach to young children, but it will also generate research that will be instrumental in "raising the bar" for quality programming for young children. It is within the mission of the ELC to set standards of excellence for early childhood education as well as act as a resource to reach those standards.

Becoming an Exemplary Model

Becoming an exemplary model for other early childhood centers will require the staff and leadership of the ELC to always remember their primary mission: do what is "right" for the children. While that may seem a relatively simple course of action, it requires that not only are the basic needs of children and staff being addressed, but that the program offers a wide array of creative choices for expression and growth in all areas that are designed to furnish a foundation for their future. Thus creating a place filled with joy. Such a place is unmistakable in its vitality and enthusiasm.

When a facility is doing what is "right" for kids, a kind of magic permeates the spirit of the space and all who inhabit it. It can be judged to be an exemplary model fulfilling and promoting the growth of all who participate.