The Child Development Lab and daycare will be moving out of Matthews-Daniel Hall to its new location in Southwest Hall, formally the Regional Health Building.
In past years, Matthews-Daniel Hall has had issues with the amount of space available for children. Angela Smith, the Child Development Lab director, said there are currently close to 100 children on the waiting list to be enrolled in the daycare.
“It would be very difficult to reduce that number without the needed space,” Smith said.
The children will not be the only ones to1 benefit from the move. Child life practicum students will also have a more desirable space to study early childhood applications.
“Even though we are super excited about all the new materials, spaces and our own area, we still feel that quality is measured in how we interact with the children and families,” said Smith.
The faculty and staff are planning to move the lab over to the newly renovated Southwest Hall during winter break.
“We are planning on being moved in and ready to go by Jan. 2014,” said Martha Howard, assistant professor of the Child Development Lab.
The remodeling plan for the new lab was modified 16 times. Classrooms will have a larger area for more hands-on activity and Sherlock Park will be next door for the children to play. The new center will also include an outdoor playground.
