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

A Few Remaining 2023-2024 School Year Registration Spots

We have a few remaining spots available for the 2023-2024 school year in our MWF p.m. (12:30-3 p.m.) class. This class is a mixture of three- and four-year-olds. Your child must be potty trained and have turned three by September 1, 2023 to qualify. Visit our Registration page for more information.

2024/2025 Enrollment Open House

December 9, 2023 from 10-11:30 a.m. at the ECC
The open house is designed for new families interested in enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year. Drop in any time and expect to spend around 20-30 minutes meeting the staff and touring the building. There will be activities for children. Registration begins online February 1, 2024. For questions, please contact ECC Director Kellie Hall at klhall@owu.edu.

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.