The Child Development Laboratory Preschool (CDFS building) and the Ben and Maxine Miller Child Learning Center (Fowler House building) are a part of the Department of Child Development and Family Studies in the School of Consumer and Family Sciences at Purdue University . The preschools serve the department by supporting child development research, providing models of high quality early childhood education, and offering students the opportunity to observe and teach young children. Classes are offered for children between the ages of six weeks and five years. The classrooms are staffed by degreed Head Teachers trained in early childhood education and child development. They have extensive experience leading educational programs for young children.

Children learn best in a supportive, nurturing, safe atmosphere in which individual and cultural differences are valued. Infants, toddlers, and preschool children learn through exploring their environments, guided by caring adults. Our curriculum is designed to be at the appropriate developmental level for each child. Teachers are sensitive to children's differing needs, interests, and developmental levels. Classroom activities and learning centers are planned to support the learning process and to address each child's physical, social, emotional, cognitive, language, and creative development. Activities are designed for a range of abilities, skills and interests, including children with exceptional educational needs. Teachers carefully plan curricula that reflect children's interests and provide ways for children to develop a new understanding about the world around them. Early childhood education supports the child's development within the context of the family. Parent-school collaboration insures that our programs meet the needs of individual children and their families. The Child Development Laboratory Preschool and the Miller Child Learning Center both support the rich cultural and ethnic diversity of Purdue University and its surrounding community.

Parent Programs

We believe that parents are the primary educators of their children. Parents have opportunities to participate in their child's classroom throughout the year. Regular parent conferences and parent meetings are scheduled. Parents are invited to visit the classroom, observe from the observation booth, or contact their child's teacher at any time. Parent advisory councils serve both schools.

Policy

Children are enrolled based on the date the enrollment application is submitted and the child's age and gender. The composition of groups may be adjusted to meet individual and departmental needs.

• Children may be placed on the wait list at birth or anytime thereafter and will be kept on the wait list as long as they are age-eligible.
  

• If a family prefers to defer enrolling their child until they reach a certain age, this should be noted on the enrollment application form under the comment section. Such children will be carried on the wait list until the target age is reached. Thereafter, they will be eligible for enrollment according to the enrollment priorities.
  
  
• The wait list is updated periodically through a letter and application update form sent by the enrollment secretary. Families wishing to remain on the wait list must return the completed form by the indicated date. If no response is received, the family will be removed from the list. It is the parents' responsibility to make sure we always have their current mailing address, phone number, and email address in our files.
  
  
• Families whose children are removed from the wait list may re-apply, but they will be placed at the end of the list .
  
  
• Any family that turns down an offered spot will be placed at the end of the list , with the enrollment date revised as the date you turned down the spot.

Hours and Dates

The Child Development Laboratory Preschool (CDL) is a half-day academic year program, and the Miller Child Learning Center (MCLC) is a full-day year-round program.

CDL

A.M. Programs	Classroom	Hours	Days of Class	Enrollment
Mixed Age Preschool (3-1/2 yrs. - 5 yrs.)	West	8:15 - 11:15 a.m.	Monday - Thursday	20 Children
Mixed Age Preschool (2 yrs. - 3-1/2 yrs.)	East	8:30 - 11:30 a.m.	Monday - Thursday	14 Children

P.M. Programs	Classroom	Hours	Days of Class	Enrollment
Mixed Age Preschool (3-1/2 yrs.- 5 yrs.)	West	1:15 - 4:15 p.m.	Monday - Thursday	20 Children
Mixed Age Preschool (2 yrs.- 3-1/2 yrs.)	East	1:30 - 4:30 p.m.	Monday - Thursday	14 Children

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MCLC

Full-Day Programs	Classroom	Hours	Days of Class	Enrollment
Mixed Age Infants/Toddlers (6 wks. - 2 yrs.)	Purple Room	7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.	Monday - Friday	8 Children
Mixed Age ( 2 & 3 year olds)	Blue Room	7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.	Monday - Friday	14 Children
Mixed Age Preschool (2-1/2 yrs.-4 yrs.)	Green Room	7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.	Monday - Friday	14 Children
Mixed Age Preschool (3 yrs.-5 yrs.)	Red Room	7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.	Monday - Friday	20 Children
Mixed Age Preschool (3 yrs.-5 yrs.)	Yellow Room	7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.	Monday - Friday	20 Children

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