Human Development and Family Sciences

Children and staff from the Early Learning Center on the Children’s campus during the summer season. Jessica Peace and Kelly Freel are co-directors of the center which cares for over 200 children from infants & toddlers to preschoolers and summer camp participants.

University of Delaware’s Early Learning Center partners with families, communities and the state of Delaware to offer excellent and equitable early care

It is one of the largest and most robust early childhood education centers in the state. It is also a “living-learning laboratory” for hundreds of UD students interested in strengthening knowledge, health and wellness for Delaware’s youngest citizens.

For 20 years now, the University of Delaware’s Early Learning Center (ELC), has provided hands-on discovery learning to children from the pivotal ages of 6 weeks through 8 years.

Housed within the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) and located on the College’s Children’s Campus, the ELC complements the Lab School, which serves infants and children through kindergarten, and The College School, which serves children in grades 1 through 8.

Kelly Freel and Jessica Peace, who collaboratively co-direct the ELC, shared their thoughts on the value of early care and education, the importance of family, state and community partnerships and more.

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