The University of Delaware Laboratory Preschool was founded in 1934 as a part of the Child Development Program in the College of Home Economics and has been in continuous operation. The Preschool functions as a part of the Individual and Family Studies Department of the College of Human Resources, Education & Public Policy. It is designed as a laboratory for University students and faculty. The Laboratory Preschool, a nationally accredited program, is a model preschool program whose primary purposes are providing appropriate developmental programs for typical and mainstreamed exceptional children; teaching University students to work with young children through classroom practicum experiences; providing opportunities for students, faculty and professionals to observe exemplary preschool programs and teacher role models; enabling students to observe children ages two through six so the students can better understand developmental progression; and providing a research site for students and faculty.
