Early Childhood Center

Learn More Explore the Early Childhood Center

For questions about enrollment and the waitlist, please email eccinfo@colostate.edu.

Enrollment

The ECC’s service mission is to provide a developmentally appropriate, Reggio Emilia-inspired learning environment for young children. We enroll children ages 6 weeks to 6 years (pre-kindergarten).

A child plays outdoors with a classroom teacher.

Research and Observation

The Early Childhood Center is a laboratory school within the Department of Human Development and Family Studies. We support research and offer observation opportunities for CSU students and faculty.

A child sits on the ground between a table and shelves and plays a puzzle game

Families

Find out important information for enrolled families including our fee schedule, calendar, and policies.

The Child Care Access Means Parents in School program offers financial assistance to income-eligible CSU student parents through financial support for on-campus child care services at the CSU Early Childhood Center or at Sunshine House at CSU.

A baby stands at a play table while an adult helper holds them steady and smiles

Our Mission

As the laboratory school within the Department of Human Development and Family Studies, the CSU Early Childhood Center serves a three-fold mission of teaching, research, and service.

Learn about our pedagogy and philosophy

Children play in a circle in a classroom. — Children play at the Colorado State University Early Childhood Center, March 8, 2018.

A child sits on an adult’s lap and they both form circles above their heads with their arms — The Colorado State University Early Childhood Center gives Human Development and Family Studies students the opportunity to work directly with children as Assistant Teachers. May 4, 2023

Children gather around and adult and attentively watch as she speaks and holds up a small box — The Colorado State University Early Childhood Center gives Human Development and Family Studies students the opportunity to work directly with children as Assistant Teachers. May 4, 2023

Make an Impact Giving Opportunities

The Early Childhood Center is the lab school for Human Development and Family Studies and provides quality programming for young children, trains CSU students for careers in the field of early childhood, and provides opportunities for research related to children, families, and early childhood education. Your gift to the Early Childhood Center may qualify for the Colorado child care contribution credit, which may allow Colorado taxpayers a 50 percent tax credit on state income taxes when your donation promotes a child care program.

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Early Childhood Center Early Childhood Center Colorado State University's Laboratory School