The University Child Development Center serves the University community by enrolling children of staff, faculty, and students.

The Center is NAEYC-accredited and a PA Keystone Star 4A facility, with a Certificate of Compliance from the Department of Human Services and a Keystone STARS Verification of On-Site Partial Designation Renewal Visit. It follows the PA Early Learning Standards and provides high quality early childhood programs/child care for children ranging in age from six weeks through five years of age.

The UCDC exists to encourage and support each child to grow to his fullest potential in all areas of development, thus creating a positive self concept and a realistic opportunity for success in life. Teachers work with children individually and in small and large groups, identifying their strengths and helping children to identify positively with each of their individual differences.

An "extended family" concept has been adapted to provide a framework for the Center. We feel this to be the most effective model, since the traditional extended family - providing support, encouragement, and assistance to its members - has become practically obsolete in today's society. For working parents and student parents, support, encouragement and assistance are vital in helping to ensure personal and professional success.

For children, the extended family provides all the healthy components necessary for successful development. The dynamics of the "family" and its interactions perpetually serve to establish and/or reinforce the identity of self and of that self within an ever changing, ever challenging world.

The UCDC provides:

• Quality, near-site child care/early childhood education for young children who belong to the faculty, staff and students of the University of Pittsburgh.
• Laboratory research and practicum experiences in observing and participating with young children in classroom-based settings, for University students and students from other institutions of higher learning.
• Resources and technical assistance in implementing appropriate programs and practices that serve young children, for Pittsburgh and other communities.

The Center is open from 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, offering either full-time (5 days per week) or part-time (2 or 3 days per week) care.