The Lake Land College Child Care Lab has been serving the child care needs of campus parents and families for the past 24 years.  The Board of Trustees gave approval to proceed with building this facility and it opened its doors in August of 1988.  At that time it was recognized that the Child Care Lab would be a program that functions in collaboration with the Early Childhood Education and Family Services Program, similar to student laboratory models like Dental Hygiene and Cosmetology. 

The Child Care Lab differs from other facilities because of the hands-on learning experience it provides for students in the Early Childhood Education and Family Services Program (ECE&FS).  These students are not counted in the teacher child ratios.  However they do benefit from the experience of working alongside a qualified professional teaching staff.  This helps the students gain practical knowledge of how to educate young children.  Students learn how to stay in compliance with daycare licensing standards set forth by the Dept. of Children and Family Services (DCFS), preparing them for a career in the field of child care.  The program instructors observe and evaluate students as they conduct age appropriate activities within the center throughout each semester.  With the contributions these students make to the Child Care Lab program, the children are offered more one-on-one adult attention for learning assistance.  This partnership sets the Child Care Lab apart from other conventional early childhood learning environments, with a direct link to the high quality reputation for academic excellence the program is known for.

With this unique child care setting and learning environment children receive an advanced preschool education, leading to a successful transition into Kindergarten.  The dedicated teaching staff uses creative and positive techniques to guide the children educationally and developmentally.  The daily activities and lessons are kept fun and playful, stimulating an excitement for learning.  As a result, many children who have attended this program have been offered accelerated educational opportunities when they reach school age.  Parents trust this affordable program to be academically advanced, as well as an environment that is bright, friendly, convenient, and clean and safe, which are all important aspects when selecting a child care facility.  The overall commitment is focused on educating young minds for a better world.

The curriculum is theme based, with a topic of learning for each week. Enveloped into the themes are the basic concepts, numbers, letters, shapes, and colors, etc. The most important aspects considered are creativity, consistency, age appropriateness, with discovery play and learning opportunities where children can grow and develop to their fullest potential in the following ways:

• Physically • Intellectually • Emotionally • Socially

• Creative Art   • Manipulative Toys   • Housekeeping   • Reading   • Language   • Writing   • Math   • Large & Small Blocks   • Dramatic Play   • Science & Technology   • Music & Movement   • Water Play   • Tactical Table   • Motor Development   • Large and Small Group Activities

•   • Affordability – IDHS funding accepted if qualified
•   • Educated, caring and positive teaching staff
•   • Preschool and Kindergarten readiness curriculum
•   • Fine and gross motor development opportunities
•   • Cognitive and social development opportunities
•   • Emotional stability and positive self-esteem building
•   • Creative and diverse learning activities
•   • Enrollment flexibility and convenience
•   • Healthy and balanced meals and snacks
•   • Environmental safety and cleanliness
•   • Increased adult/child one-on-one relationships
•   • School age program offered during summer semester
•   • DCFS licensed and Illinois Dept. of Public Health approved