Children's Center

Location: McCarthy Hall
Hours: Monday - Friday: 8 am - 4:30 pm
Phone: 610-436-2388

The mission of the Children’s Center of West Chester University is to offer a high-quality child care program to students, staff, faculty, and families of the surrounding community. The center is dedicated to providing a safe and interactive environment for each individual child, focusing on his or her optimal development in all areas of growth, i.e., social and emotional, physical, and cognitive. The Children’s Center provides high-quality observation and educational experiences for University students, acting as a model for best practices in the field of early childhood education.
Philosophy: We believe that young children must have a sense of belonging in their world where they know they are accepted and their developmental needs are understood. We create a space at the center where the value of play is recognized as the stimulus for exploration and discovery and where creativity is respected. Children are encouraged to questions without fear and delight in learning through the hands-on use of materials. We believe that children need to be given opportunities to investigate the world around them with the teacher taking the lead from the child. As active learners, children become active participants in their education. We appreciate the balance between learning and play, supporting our belief that children learn best while doing.
One function of the Children’s Center is to serve as a training and observation site for WCU students. University students fulfilling practicum experiences, observation requirements, and volunteer opportunities use the center site as a resource. Academic departments send students majoring in nursing, kinesiology, music education, English, elementary education, social work and psychology. University students may volunteer at the center as a course requirement or through a University-sponsored club or organization. Their involvement includes reading-aloud activities, introduction to international languages, holiday crafts and stories, and multicultural experiences to name a few.