The Child Development Center operates Fall Semester, Spring Semester and the first Summer School Session.  The morning session meets from 8:30 - 11:30 AM and the afternoon from 1:00 - 4:00 PM Monday through Friday (Thursday in Summer).  We have the same holiday schedule as the rest of the University and are only closed for bad weather if the University is closed.

The licensed capacity of the CDC is::

• infants                0
• toddlers             2
• preschoolers    24
• school age         6

The staff:child ratio in the CDC is typically 1:5 with the participation of university practicum students.  However, at all times, the CDC observes the following minimum staff/child ratios and group sizes maintained for each age group.

                                    License Regulations                Typical in CDC
                               Staff:Child    Group Size        Staff:Child    Group Size

• 3 year olds        1:12            16 - 24                1:5            16 - 20
• 4 year olds        1:14            16 - 24                1:5            16 - 20
• 5 year olds        1:14            16 - 24                1:5            16 - 20

Staff
The Child Development Center is staffed by a Administrator/Head Teacher and a Head/Teacher.  Both staff members have a background in child development and preschool education and are responsible for the daily program. The majority of the students working in the classroom are enrolled in an undergraduate practicum to learn the skills necessary for working with young children and their families.  The undergraduate students change each semester.  We are generally able to schedule three students a day but the number may vary.

Volunteers, students from other classes, specialists (i.e. speech therapist) and researchers occasionally work in the classroom as well.

Program policies and supervision is provided by the Director of the School of Family and Consumer Sciences and the faculty liaison.

Observation Booths are located at both ends of the room and are open during center hours to parents, students and other interested people. No appointment is necessary but a sign-in sheet is maintained for our records.

Enrollment
Children who are three years old by September 30 are eligible for enrollment during the fall semester. Children who turn three by January 31 may enroll for spring semester, providing there is room.  Children may continue a second or third year or until enrollment in kindergarten.  Vacancies are filled as they occur from the waiting list.  Enrollment is open to the community and selection is generally on a first come first served basis.  However, because we are a lab school, we try to maintain a mix of ages, abilities and cultural backgrounds, which means we occasionally accept students who meet these criteria out of order.

We have two electronic versions of our enrollment form: a PDF form and a Word form.  Both allow you to use your computer keyboard to enter the information requested before you print and sign the form.  With the PDF version, you can fill the requested information with Adobe Reader and print the document but you will not be able to save the data in the form.  You need to have Adobe Acrobat Pro to save the data.  For the Word version, you will need a current version of Microsoft Word. You should not have any issue saving the data using this version of the form.

Enrollment Form (PDF form)
Enrollment Form (Word form)

To obtain a printed enrollment application and additional information call  419-372-7834 or write to The Child Development Center, Johnston Hall, B.G.S.U., Bowling Green, OH 43403.

Tuition
Tuition for the Child Development Center is currently $720.00 a semester ($320.00 for one summer session), with a once a year $30.00 non-refundable enrollment fee due when the child is admitted each year.  Any enrollment payment not received by the appropriate date will be taken as an indication that your child will not be attending the CDC and we will begin the process of contacting the next family on the waiting list.  Since we always shave families who are anxious to have their child in the center, if you know that you need to cancel your registration, for any reason, the courtesy of a phone call is requested (message 372-7834).

Billing
The Child Development Center bills directly and payment is made to the administrator.  Payment is expected in a timely fashion and failure to do so will jeopardize our child's enrollment or your ability to charge (have your child start school without paying in advance).

Scholarships
We are fortunate to be able to offer 4-6 full-time equivalent scholarships per year. Some scholarships are for full tuition waivers while others are only partial. The following criteria are considered in making scholarship decisions:

• financial need
• continuing families
• special needs
• diversity

If you feel your family may qualify, please submit your written request to the CDC.  The Department Scholarship Committee will review all requests and respond in a timely manner.  All requests and information will be kept confidential.

Please include in your request why and all criteria you feel your family meets; any special circumstances we should be aware of and what, if any, part of the fee your family would be able to contribute (be specific in naming a dollar amount).

Withdrawal
 A minimum of 30 days written notice is required for the withdrawal of any child enrolled. Families that do not give this notice will be charged the regular center tuition for each day until a replacement child begins attending (up to 30 days).

Termination
The CDC reserves the right to terminate a child for reasons of noncooperation, delinquency in payment of tuition, or inability  of child or parent to adjust too the program, as determined by teachers and the faculty liaison.  Tuition problems will not be carried over semesters.

Diversity
The Child Development Center enrolls children from a variety of backgrounds and life styles and with varying abilities.  We view this as a positive learning experience for college students as well as for children and families.  Any discrimination is discouraged.  Boys and girls are encouraged to do woodworking as well as cooking;  families are portrayed with single parents, grandparents as parents and step parents, as well as traditional mothers and fathers; and ethnic and cultural dolls, food, clothing, puzzles, music etc. are included into the daily curriculum.  All children need to feel good about who they are and we strive to support the development of each child as an individual with unique characteristics and abilities.