The Newark Campus Child Development Center became operational in the autumn of 1978 as a non-profit auxiliary service for students, faculty, and staff of the Newark Campus.  In 1979, the program was expanded to include a limited number of children from the community on a space-available basis.

The Center originally occupied a converted college classroom in Adena Hall.  Several years later, an additional room was added.  In 1987, because of the increase in child care requests, the Center was expanded to three classrooms and plans were initiated to build a new facility.  With increases in non-traditional students, single parents, and returning adults, child care was a needed support service.

In 1987, public funds and child care grants through the Newark Campus Development Fund became available to assist those students who qualified financially.  Participation in the Ohio Child and Adult Care Food Program provided reimbursement per meal, based on family income.

The new child care facility became operational in September 1988.  A name change was approved in 1992 to incorporate the expanded focus of the Center: before and after school age care and a lab site for students from Central Ohio Technical College and The Ohio State University at Newark.  The Center is licensed by the Ohio Department of Human Services and serves children 18 months through 13 years.

The Center operates a full- and limited part-time childcare service that includes before and after school care for school age children.  The Center is open year round 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.  Children attending our Center are provided with developmentally appropriate activities that encourage positive growth.  Preschool activities include stories, play choices, art, science, math, and large and small muscle play.  Children who will be attending kindergarten will have received a solid foundation in readiness skills for elementary school learning.

The National Academy of Early Childhood Programs accredited the Center in 1998.  The curriculum is based on developmentally appropriate practice as defined by The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) (Bredekamp).

Play is valued in our curriculum as an important natural activity.

1. Experiences are provided that meet children’s needs and stimulate learning in all developmental areas – the whole child. 

2. A semi-structured program is offered based on the needs of each child’s age group.  The teachers encourage making choices and establishing positive social interactions.  In a secure, supportive environment, we help children grow in personal confidence, self-worth and self-discipline.

3. Our curriculum is responsive to individual and group needs.  Children’s differing levels of ability, stages of development, and learning styles are expected, accepted, and used as teachers prepare daily and weekly activities. Child and parent ideas are important in the planning of activities.

4. Each classroom is designed to foster independent as well as group care learning through play.  Teachers organize the environment into learning areas: blocks, dramatic play, table activities, art, water and sensory play, science and math, library, indoor and outdoor large muscle play and circle time.