UMNLabSchool_Shop

CDLS is located in the Como neighborhood of Minneapolis, close to the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus. We have capacity to serve up to 240 children. We are licensed by the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families. We have earned a Four Star rating—the highest possible—from Parent Aware, Minnesota’s quality rating and improvement system for early childhood education. We’re also accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). What is a lab school? A laboratory school, or lab school, is a university-affiliated early childhood education facility. In addition to providing a high-quality early education, lab schools train future educators. They also provide opportunities for students, faculty, and staff to conduct research studies and observe classrooms. Lab schools around the U.S. and the world use a variety of educational models, placing varying emphasis on research and teacher training. Our philosophy: CDLS’ philosophical orientation is based on socio-cultural (children learn from others in their social world) and constructivist theories (children create their own meaning from their experiences). Mission & Values: CDLS is an early development model and demonstration program whose practices are guided by current research in child development. The program serves as the primary training site for teacher candidates in early childhood programs and is an active center for observation and research focused on early development, education, and high-quality care and education for young children.