Child Development Laboratory
The Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute’s Child Development Laboratory (CDL) is nationally known and respected for its research and work in the area of child development. The CDL serves the children of students, faculty, staff and the greater metro Detroit area from 2 1/2 to 5 years old.
LOCATION
The CDL is located at 87 East Ferry Street on the Wayne State University campus in the heart of the city of Detroit. The CDL is within walking distance of the Detroit Science Center, the Historical Museum, the Detroit Institute of Art, and the Detroit Public Library.
HOURS
The CDL childcare runs Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Please be sure to click on the following link for important information regarding CDL hours of operation.
Holidays, Inclement Weather Policy and Emergency Closure Information
PHILOSOPHY
The mission of the Child Development Laboratory is to provide high-quality preschool education in a culturally diverse, developmentally appropriate, emotional supportive and socially engaging environment that is conducive to optimum child growth and development while providing enriching learning and teaching opportunities for students and faculty. The learning and curriculum philosophy of the CDL is exploratory, using instructional standards that fit children's physical, intellectual, social, and emotional needs. We believe that children are intrinsically motivated. When children are stimulated by their environment, they are motivated to interact, discover, and learn. Therefore, the CDL allows children to select activities that interest them while providing an integrated learning experience, which emphasizes the physical, intellectual, cultural, emotional and aesthetic well being of each child. Research conducted at the CDL is planned to harmonize with children's ongoing learning and development.
Program Features
Curriculum
Parental Involvement and Communication
Nutrition
RESEARCH
The Child Development Laboratory will ensure that research activities are safe and compatible with children's ongoing preschool experiences. As stated above, research conducted at the CDL is planned to harmonize with children's ongoing learning and development. Faculty and graduate students are permitted supervised access to the CDL for research purposes. If you have any questions about research at the Child Development Lab, please refer to the detailed links below or call (313) 873-0724.
RESEARCH POLICY- Program Goals, Facilities and Procedures
STAFF
Our staff represents a diverse group of teachers, students, and paraprofessionals. Our lead teachers have bachelor's degrees, typically with an emphasis in early childhood education, psychology, child development and/or extensive experience in working with young children. A co-teacher and teacher assistants are also present in every classroom. Our adult to child ratios match those recommended by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).
TUITION FEES and ADMISSIONS POLICY
There is a non-refundable registration fee of $50. The tuition is for preschoolers (2 ½ - 5 years of age) is $160 per week or $35 per day. Before a child can begin attending the CDL, the full Admissions process must be completed.
