About us
OSU Child Development Center
The OSU Child Development Center is housed within Human Development and Family Sciences in OSU’s College of Health. Students enrolled in HDFS 430 gain practical knowledge of the best teaching practices in Early Childhood Education and demonstrate Teaching Effectiveness with the Prekindergarten Age Group.
Currently, we are the only program in Oregon that provides student teaching in a combined Head Start and tuition paying prekindergarten lab setting.
In keeping with the mission of our college, “Lifelong health and well-being for every person, every family, every community,” we offer a nutrient-dense diet and opportunities for daily physical activity.
Our Mission and Vision
Vision statement
The OSU Child Development Center discovers and disseminates knowledge that contributes to the optimal development and well-being of young children and their families.
Mission statement
The OSU Child Development Center:
- Prepares professionals in early childhood development and family services
- Generates and transmits knowledge on family-focused early childhood programs through research, program development and evaluation
- Provides a developmental program of the highest quality for 3- and 4-year-old children and their families that serves as a resource for the community-at-large
Why we’re here: Education, discovery, service
Early Childhood Education
The OSU Child Development Center works to promote the social, emotional, intellectual and physical development of 3- AND 4-year-old children.
This is accomplished through:
- A curriculum that promotes exploration and discovery
- A welcoming environment that encourages interaction and conversation
- Activities that support and encourage families to be engaged in their children’s growth and development and that enhance parenting skills
University Student Education
The OSU Child Development Center is a “laboratory” for educating university students. Students come to observe as part of their coursework in Child Development, participate in the classroom as part of the course on Student Teaching in Early Childhood Development AND Education, or work as interns with the Family Services team, which guides families to identified services.
Research & Discovery
The OSU Child Development Center is a research facility for OSU faculty and graduate students who plan and implement investigations about childhood development and family studies. All studies must comply with ethical standards. You will be notified if any research activities are planned, and you and your child may only participate with your consent.
Service and Outreach
The OSU Child Development Center is one of many service and outreach activities within the College of Public Health and Human Sciences. We work to be a member of the community of services for children and families in the Corvallis area.
History
The study of child development has been an integral part of our history, from the original School of Household Economy to the College of Home Economics and continues in the School of Human Development & Family Sciences in the College of Health.
Dean Ava Milam establishes the Family Life Department, recognizing the need for students to understand as much as possible about family relationships and child development. In 1926 under the direction of Mrs. Prentiss, and based on a model from the Merrill Palmer School in Detroit, a child care laboratory is created through the opening of a Nursery School in Covell House. The program is recognized as the first laboratory nursery school west of the Mississippi.
The Federal Government provides funds through the Work Progress Administration (W.P.A.) to establish child care centers in deprived areas. Faculty member Kathryn Read (Baker) serves as a supervisor at one of the WPA child care centers in Oregon.
1940 marks the opening of the Orchard Street Nursery School which is designed by Mr. Sinnard faculty member in Architecture at Oregon State Agricultural College (OSAC). During the WWII years the Federal Government again funds child care centers for the purpose of encouraging women to work in the war industries. Oregon State College faculty member from the Family Life Department, Kathryn Read Baker, helps Corvallis establish child care in the Park Terrace house. At the close of the war federal funding is withdrawn and OSAC purchases the Park Terrace facility for a laboratory nursery school. Children are offered cod liver oil as part of the nutritional program of the center.
Child Development Center Director Katherine Read Baker publishes The Nursery School (1950,Sanders Publishing; the 8th edition is later published by Holt Rinehart & Winston). This is considered the first text book for the education of nursery school teachers. Katherine was a professor of Child Development at Oregon State and headed the Department of Family Life and Home Administration from 1952 to 1965.
Parent and toddler groups are convened as well as preschool for children ages 3 to 5 years. As they arrive at preschool, children are offered orange juice - a vote for Vitamin C. In 1987, the Oregon State University Child Development Center is awarded an Oregon Head Start Prekindergarten Program grant. Head Start eligible children begin attending preschool with peers from the community.
Park Terrace and Orchard Street Child Development Centers are closed as the current Child Development Center opens in the Mercedes Bates Family Study Center(corner of 26th & Orchard Streets on the OSU campus). The Child Development Center is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Oregon Head Start Prekindergarten Program Expansion is achieved, providing bilingual English and Spanish services to an additional 16 children.
The OSU Child Development Center is housed within Human Development and Family Sciences in OSU’s College of Public Health and Human Sciences. Students enrolled in HDFS 430 gain practical knowledge of the best teaching practices in Early Childhood Education and demonstrate Teaching Effectiveness with the Prekindergarten Age Group. Currently, we are the only program in Oregon that provides student teaching in a combined Head Start and tuition paying prekindergarten lab setting. In keeping with the mission of our college, “Lifelong health and well-being for every person, every family, every community,” we offer a nutrient-dense diet and opportunities for daily physical activity.