UAB Child Development Center
Overview
Goals/Philosophy
The goal of the UAB Child Development Center is to provide a high quality early childhood program that equally promotes the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development of each child in a safe and caring environment.
The philosophy of the center holds that young children learn from interactions with other children, with their environment, and with adults.
The UAB Child Development Center bases the learning program on the recommendations of developmentally appropriate practice as defined by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).
Curriculum
UAB Child Development Center uses one main Curriculum resource: The Creative Curriculum, by Diane Trister Dodge. The Creative Curriculum is specifically designed to use with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. It is based on Piagetian principles of learning through hands-on experiences that are appropriate for the young child. This approach emphasizes that all areas of development: Social emotional, intellectual, and physical, are equally important and are interdependent. Respect for others and acceptance of responsibility is also emphasized in our curriculum.
Outdoor Play
The UAB Child Development Center believes that outdoor play is essential for providing adequate opportunities for the large motor activities that promote the physical development of each individual child. The center's outdoor setting allows for freedom of movement and expression. The center has three playgrounds and a garden that are grouped by the age of the children in order to promote the safety of each individual child.
Mealtime/Snack
Mealtime and snack are a part of the learning component of UAB Child Development Center. The children are offered breakfast, lunch, and a snack based on the USDA guidelines. Children learn to eat a well-balanced and healthy diet by being offered a wide variety of nutritious foods. The children learn table manners, healthy attitudes, and social conventions by observing appropriate models and having opportunities to practice.
Classrooms
The UAB Child Development Center is composed of 7 classrooms:
- two infant classrooms,
- two toddler classrooms,
- one 2-year-old classroom (2 ½-3),
- one 3-year-old classroom, and
- one 4-5 year old classroom.
The teacher/child ratio is:
Classrooms |
Age Groups |
Child to Teacher Ratio |
| Lambs | Infant I | 3 to 1 |
| Waddlers | Infant II | 3 to 1 |
| Huggers | Toddler I | 4 to 1 |
| Little Bears | Toddler II | 4 to 1 |
| Busy Bees | Toddler/Twos | 5 to 1 |
| Explorers | Twos/Threes | 8 to 1 |
| Pathfinders | Fours/Fives | 9 to 1 |
The staff of UAB Child Development Center is expected to follow the Code of Ethics of the National Association for the Education of Young Children when working with children, their parents, and other staff members. All staff participates in quality improvement plans related to:
- curriculum,
- parent relationships,
- infection control, and
- professional development/education.
The American Red Cross certifies all staff for CPR and First Aid.
Parent Access
Parents are permitted access to the center at any time their child is in attendance in the center and children will not be released except to a person authorized by the parents or guardians. Access to the center is controlled by a Card Key magnetic lock system. Parents and other authorized persons are issued a Card Key that will allow access to the building.
Please call or write the center:
UAB Child Development Center
1113 15th Street, South
Birmingham, Alabama 35294
(205) 975-7373
(205) 975-7374 (Fax)
| Director: | Randy East |
| On-Site Manager: | Jeneshia Abrams |