90 Years of Excellence in Early Childhood Education

This fall, the University of Delaware's Lab School celebrates 90 years of pioneering excellence in early childhood education, research and innovation.

Housed on the College of Education and Human Development's (CEHD) Children's Campus, the Lab School has not only shaped the next generation of educators but set the standard for practices like mindfulness and nature-based learning. Since its founding in 1934, it has served as a rich laboratory for UD students studying early childhood education and researchers while providing excellent care for children from the ages of six months through kindergarten.

"The UD Lab School is beyond anything I could have ever hoped for my children," said BethAnn Aupperle, a Lab School parent. "Every day, I am inspired by the teaching teams' commitment to demonstrating and teaching mindfulness, connecting children to nature, bringing them together in authentic child-led interactions and discovery and developing a sense of community among the families."

Excellence in early childhood care and education

With a commitment to family partnerships, the Lab School's research-informed programs spark children's sense of wonder and curiosity through a balance of child-driven and teacher-directed activities that foster social, emotional, physical, cognitive and language development.

Alice Eyman, who served as the Lab School's director from 1982 to 2005, emphasizes that family partnerships have always been a core part of the school's mission.

"The University of Delaware is a land-grant institution, so from the very beginning, we had a responsibility to teach families about child development," Eyman said. "The Lab School in the early years focused on offering a play school for children and helping agricultural families learn how to support children's growth and development. The purpose then grew into offering resources to educators and families in the state and the community."