FORT WORTH, Texas — Time to blow out some candles. Tarrant County College and its nationally-accredited Children’s Center Laboratory School yesterday celebrated 50 years of inclusive care and education for young children and true-to-career learning opportunities for aspiring early childhood professionals.
Located at TCC Northeast since 1974, the school offers a progressive teaching schedule for area preschoolers. Professionally trained teachers deliver developmentally appropriate instruction based on the child’s age and developmental stage, maturity, needs and capabilities.
“We are excited to celebrate the 50-year history of our Children’s Center Laboratory School, a teacher learning and training site that has proven to be a vital resource to our community,” Interim Northeast President Jan Clayton said. “We’re giving preschool children ages 2-5 a jump start on educational success and preparing childhood experts to meet job demand.”
The National Association for the Education of Young Children has accredited the school since the mid-1980s.
TCC Chancellor Elva LeBlanc: “The Children’s Center Laboratory School is truly a gem in our college and the community. Educating young children and serving Tarrant-area families while providing a learning and research lab reflects the significance of our impact.”
Qualifying families can receive financial support at the Children’s Center thanks to its designation as a CCMS (Child Care Management Services) provider. The center also participates in the Child Care Assistance Program.
TCC has been a top producer of child development and education graduates for decades. The practical, hands-on experience graduates receive makes them attractive to local child care facilities, according to Lisa Self, department chair of the Child Development and Education program.
Since 2015, more than 500 child development students have earned an associate degree or certificate. Some have earned bachelor’s degrees, while others have entered the workforce. In addition to the Associate of Applied Science in child development, students can pursue certifications in After School Provider, Preschool Child Care Provider and Child Care Administration.
Self said each child development student spends more than 200 hours working with children in the center’s classroom settings and utilizing its observation rooms. “Through this experience, students learn to apply developmentally appropriate practices and curriculum while benefiting from guidance techniques demonstrated by our highly qualified staff in a nurturing learning environment.”
TCC graduate Jordan Wilhelm, lead teacher for 2-year-olds at Key West Early Childhood Center, says her experiences in the TCC Children’s Center well prepared her for a career working with children. “I thoroughly enjoyed my time there and still use so much of what I learned.”
Wilhelm advises TCC students interested in working with children to enroll at TCC because professors are exceptional and “great models to learn from.”
Another alumna, Natalie Collins, is currently impacting lives as the director of company culture and mentorship at Little Tykes Learning Centers. She supports teachers in the classrooms/environments and provides coaching/mentoring and training in the centers. She calls her TCC experience “truly refreshing.”
“The teachers are inviting and warm, and they create a classroom environment that is ready for teaching with age-appropriate materials and a curriculum with a consistent daily routine,” she explained. “The TCC Children’s Center is a great choice for anyone interested in making a difference in early childhood or elementary education.”
Collins plans to pursue a bachelor’s in child development and family studies.
While the Children’s Center primarily serves TCC students in the Child Development program, it welcomes students from partner institutions who need to complete their observation hours.
Throughout the year, child care directors in Tarrant County visit the center and invariably like what they find, especially the adherence to national accreditation standards. High school students tour the center every semester.
Collins: “I had a great time engaging with staff, parents and mostly the children. Attending the Children’s Center is a perfect choice for any early childhood educator or elementary educator. It’s worth all the hard work.”
Learn more about the Child Development program.
Tarrant County College is one of the nation’s largest higher education institutions and boasts the second lowest tuition of Texas’ Top 10 community colleges. A comprehensive two-year college with six campuses in Tarrant County and online classes, TCC offers a range of opportunities for learners of all ages and backgrounds, including Associate of Arts and Associate of Applied Science degrees; workforce and economic development programs; technical and skilled trades programs; and customized training for area businesses and corporations.
