Early Childhood Center

OWU’s Early Childhood Center is a quality community preschool for 3-, 4-, and 5-year-old children, and a laboratory in early childhood education for University undergraduates. Experienced professional teachers organize, plan, and teach every class; student participants assist the teachers, interact with the children, and participate in special projects designed for the children. The adult-to-child ratios are small and class sizes are held at 10 students. Each session has a maximum of three classes, so there are never more than 30 children at the center at any one time.

Announcements

Registration for the 2023-2024 School Year

Registration for the 2023-2024 school year begins on February 1, 2023. The link to the registration form will be available here on our Registration page.

The deadline for the first round of admission is February 17, 2023. Families will be notified regarding placement by February 24, 2023 via a message on BrightWheel. Priority is given to current ECC families and OWU faculty/staff who have applied on/before the February 17 deadline. Most new families applying will secure a spot. After February 17, enrollment remains open throughout the year and is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Curriculum

The learning day in each session begins with an hour of Guided Exploration throughout the building. During this time, children are free to choose activities such as studio art, dramatic play, science experiments, math games, block building, and quiet reading all assisted by OWU students and professional staff. At the end of Guided Exploration time, the children meet in designated Focus Groups to work on continuing projects, write in their journals, read and hear stories, have a snack, explore the outside learning environment, sing and dance, and have time in community.